ABM Announces First Podcast

Chuck Zimmerman

Rich Data PodcastAmerican Business Media announced its first “podcast” today. You can follow this link to the audio file. These ABM folks are certainly to be praised for taking advantage of all the cool new information technology. They’re blogging, using RSS, streaming conferences, conducting webcasts and now podcasting. Well almost podcasting.

It’s a great idea for ABM to offer this type of information online but . . . I really don’t think a link to an audio file is a podcast. Here’s part of the definition of podcast on Wikipedia: “Podcasting, a portmanteau of Apple’s “iPod” and “broadcasting”, is a method of publishing files to the Internet, allowing users to subscribe to a feed and receive new files automatically. ” The key here is the word “subscribe” and “automatic.” True podcasting means creating an RSS feed that contains an audio file enclosure. Once a consumer subscribes to the RSS feed they don’t have to go back to a website to click on and download an audio file.

ABM OFFERS PODCAST OF RICH DATA OPPORTUNITY
Beta test highlights technology and delivers increased access to vital content

NEW YORK, June 17, 2005—American Business Media has launched its first podcast (downloadable audio transmission via the Internet) in a continuation of its commitment to provide valuable information to members through the latest e-media technologies.

Generated from “Rich Data Opportunity” held June 9 in New York, the podcast offers presentations by keynote speaker F. Michael Reilly, president and CEO of Randall Publishing, and master of ceremonies Gregg Robins, managing director, Netburn McGill.

“Not only is this an important advancement in our use of media technology, but it helps us disseminate important information to our membership. By aggressively pursuing e-media avenues, ABM can offer more content to members across the world,” said Gordon T. Hughes II, president and CEO of American Business Media. “Hopefully it will also promote awareness of business-to-business media to a new, expanding audience.”

This spring, ABM has instituted RSS feeds, on-demand video, and MediaPace, a blog for discussion of critical business-to-business issues, to serve its members’ information needs. On June 29, ABM will further its e-media efforts with a Webcast of its Agri Council study on agricultural media usage.

For more information contact Steve Ennen.

Media, Podcasts, Publication

Tune In To Monsanto Financial Webcast

Chuck Zimmerman

MonsantoWant to learn how Monsanto is doing? Here’s your chance to find out directly.

Monsanto Company Sets Webcast and Analyst/Media Call For 2005 Third-Quarter Financial Results

ST. LOUIS, June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Monsanto Company (NYSE:MON) today announced it will issue the company’s financial results for its fiscal year 2005 third quarter on Wednesday, June 29, 2005, prior to market open.

In conjunction with the announcement of its results, Monsanto will hold a conference call at 8 a.m. CDT (9 a.m. EDT). The call will focus on these results and future expectations. The call may also include a discussion of Monsanto’s strategic initiatives, product performance and other matters related to the company’s business.

Presentation slides, supplemental data and a simultaneous audio webcast of the conference call may be accessed by visiting the company’s web site at http://www.monsanto.com/ and clicking on “Investor Information.” Visitors may need to download Windows Media Player(TM) prior to listening to the webcast. Following the live broadcast, a replay of the webcast will be available on the Monsanto web site for three weeks.

For more information contact either Media, Bryan Hurley, +1-314-694-8387, or Investors, Scarlett,Foster, +1-314-694-8148.

Agribusiness

Agricultural Relations Council Summer Meeting

Chuck Zimmerman

ARC Summer MeetingThe Agricultural Relations Council is gearing up for a good time in Milwaukee. If you’re a public relations professional you should consider attending. It coincides with the Ag Media Summit so you can get two meetings in one trip! Here’s a little bit of information from the meeting brochure.

It all starts on Saturday, July 30, with a program that will look closely at today’s energy issues and the positive impact biofuels
are having on agriculture. From ethanol and biodiesel to handling the public relations challenges of wind farms and stray
voltage, you’ll have a chance to hear from the experts. Then comes an in-depth look at Ethics in Public Relations with
a panel discussion featuring some of the industry’s leading public relations practitioners. You will want to hear this group as they discuss real and theoretical situations involving ethics in the real world of PR. (This program will count for .5 maintenance points for Accredited Members who need to maintain accreditation.)

You can download the full meeting brochure here: ARC Meeting Brochure (pdf file)

For more information contact Jeri Omernik.

Ag Media Summit, ARC

Retail Chemical Security Testimony

Chuck Zimmerman

The Fertilizer InstituteI’m guessing that this is an attempt to be ahead of the curve publicly on the food safety issue as it relates to chemicals. It’s amazing what all the new “security” concerns are forcing businesses to have to deal with!

THE FERTILIZER INSTITUTE TESTIFIES ON RETAIL CHEMICAL SECURITY

ASMARK, Inc. Describes Fertilizer Retailers’ Efforts to Secure Facilities

Washington, D.C. – The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) today testified before the House Homeland Security Subcommittee on Economic Security, Infrastructure Protection and Cybersecurity regarding steps fertilizer retailers are undertaking to ensure their facilities and products remain secure. The testimony, provided on TFI’s behalf by Allen Summers of ASMARK, Inc., cited the extensive steps that the nation’s fertilizer retailers are undertaking to ensure the security of chemicals they store and apply.

“Our strong commitment to security can be seen in the many steps already taken to secure our facilities, our farms and our food supply,” said Summers who co-owns a retail farm supply outlet and farms over 800 acres of corn, soybean and wheat. Retailers across the country have voluntarily conducted security assessments and developed security plans in response. The agricultural community has done so much to improve security and must receive credit for the voluntary actions we have already taken.”

For more information and to obtain the full testimony contact Corey Henry at 202-515-2721.

Agribusiness

ABM Agri Council 2005 Media Usage Study

Chuck Zimmerman

American Business Media Agri CouncilThere’s new research available from the American Business Media- Agri Council and you can see it unveiled next week.

The ABM Agri Council invites you to participate in a free Webcast on Wednesday, June 29 at 11:00 am EST when the findings from its new Media Usage Research Study will be unveiled.

The study garnered 2,717 responses from farmers and ranchers — a whopping 34% response rate — and will highlight the following:

* Which information sources are considered most credible?
*Which forms of ag media are used most frequently?
* What role does ag media play in the decision-making process?
* How much time is spent with ag media?
* How much time is being spent online?

Gain free market research on the growing agricultural space!

Go here to register.

Media, Publication

MoKan Golf Classic Was Great

Chuck Zimmerman

MOKAN NAMA Golf ClassicThese people had a really good time yesterday at the Missouri-Kansas NAMA chapter Golf Classic. The weather was perfect and the fellowship, food and beverage was excellent. This is my team. We finished 2nd in our flite!

We have to thank Osborn & Barr and Pony Express for the kegs! A special thanks to St. James Winery as well. They donated a bottle of wine for each golfer. The committee that headed this tournament up did a great job.

NAMA

NAMA Interview With Clear Channel’s Don Schultz

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMA Region II Leadership WorkshopThese guys were in charge at last night’s Region II NAMA Leadership Workshop. One of the key themes that we heard over and over (KEN) was not to become “stagnant” (KEN). You know what I mean Ken? Ask Ken Dean (not pictured) sometime about becoming “stagnant.”

Clear Channel LogoAnyway, if you want to know more about a leadership workshop I interviewed Don Schultz, Clear Channel Ag Networks and Regional Director for NAMA (he’s the guy with the surprised look on his face on the right in the picture) about our workshop. Don talks about programs, membership and some of the interesting questions that came up in our discussion.

You can listen to my interview with Don here Download MP3 File The interview is about 21 minutes (10MB).

Audio, Media, NAMA, ZimmCast

NAMA Region II Leadership Workshop

Chuck Zimmerman

Region II Leadership WorkshopThis evening leaders from several chapters of the National Agri-Marketing Association gathered for the Region II Leadership Workshop in Kansas City. The workshop is designed to provide information to new NAMA leaders and to facilitate a discussion on ideas for membership, programming and other aspects of running a successful chapter.

Tomorrow morning I’ll post an interview I did with the Region II director, Don Schulz, who works for Clear Channel Ag Networks. So look for that sometime before golf tomorrow (MOKAN Classic).

NAMA

8 Billion Gallons Of RFS

Chuck Zimmerman

NCGA LogoI was wondering who would get a release out first on this and the winner is . . . National Corn Growers Association. At least they were the first to get one to me (only one at the moment too).

Senate Passes Robust 8-billion-gallon RFS, notes NCGA

ST. LOUIS (June 15, 2005) – Today, the Senate passed a bipartisan 8-billion gallon Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) amendment (Amendment No. 779) offered by Chairman Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources (ENR) by a 70 to 26 vote. The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) praises Domenici (R-N.M.), Chairman James Inhofe (R-Okla.) of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee and the bipartisan coalition of senators for working together to ensure the 8-billion gallon RFS remains in the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

“Chairmen Domenici and Inhofe have shown true leadership by working together to help ensure future growth of the domestic renewable fuels industry in this nation and moving us forward in our efforts to pass an energy bill and reduce our dangerous addiction to foreign imported oil,” said Leon Corzine, NCGA president. “The benefits of a robust 8-billion-gallon RFS are simple – energy security, stabilization of our economy and a greener environment.”

For more information contact your senator or Rhondalee A. Dean-Royce, 202-628-7001.

Ag Groups

Radio On Your Sprint Phone

Chuck Zimmerman

Sirius Satellite RadioThis is certainly going to increase the heartburn level of some traditional radio people but I’m telling you things are changing fast! Maybe you think that farmers don’t have satellite radio but most I know have a cell phone! Now if we could just convince Sirius to put farm programming on . . .

SIRIUS SATELLITE RADIO SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH SPRINT

NEW YORK – June 14, 2005 – SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) today announced an agreement with Sprint (NYSE: FON) to offer select SIRIUS Satellite Radio programming. Some of the music channels being evaluated by Sprint and SIRIUS for the new service include new hits, classic rock, hip-hop, country, blues and soul to jazz and Broadway’s best music. The new Sprint service will be available nationwide, and both companies plan to announce more specifics of the service, as well as the price later this year.

For more information contact Jim Collins.

Media