Puerto Rico Governor Wins BIO Award

Chuck Zimmerman

Governor of Puerto RicoDuring BIO 2006, Puerto Rico Gov. Aníbal Acevedo-Vilá (pictured) was named BIO “Governor of the Year.” I missed him and the reception to honor him but caught up with his Secretary of Economic Development, Jorge P. Silva-Puras.

In my interview with him he talks about how important the agricultural biotechnology business is to Puerto Rico. One of the reasons is the climate which is very friendly to year-round crop testing. You can listen to my interview with Jorge here: Listen To MP3 Jorge Silva Interview (3 min MP3)

I interviewed Jorge during the Puerto Rico pavilion trade show reception. You can see and hear the celebration here: : Watch WMV file Puerto Rico Reception (1 min wmv)

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

Audio, Video

Canada’s Trade with Mexico increases under NAFTA

Chuck Zimmerman

Harry SiemensTrade between Canada and Mexico has increased significantly since the implementation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) between the United States (US), Canada and Mexico in 1994.

Mexico has become Canada’s fourth largest agriculture and agri-food export market and Canada is now the third largest market for Mexico exports. For 2004-2005, Canadian agri-food exports to Mexico were $995 million versus imports from Mexico of $635 million. According to the Bi-weekly Bulletin of Ag Canada, Mexico has the sixth largest agricultural sector in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), which it joined in 1994. Corn and beef are its main agricultural commodities. Primary agriculture still accounts for 6 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), compared to 2 percent in Canada and the US. More importantly, the agricultural sector employs 19 percent of the work force compared to 5 percent in Canada and 3 percent in the US.Read More

International

John Deer Toy Tractor Contest

Chuck Zimmerman

Toy DeereAre you a toy tractor fan? If so, the Deere Gear Store is running a contest to give away a John Deere toy of your dreams each week for 4 weeks. It’s the “John Deere Toy Tractor a Week Contest.” You can enter every week for 4 Weeks.

Visit here to enter.

The contest is being sponsored by Retired Tractors. The first winner will be announced on Friday, April 21.

Agribusiness, International

BIO 2006 Photo Album

Chuck Zimmerman

BIO Career FairIt’s Good Friday and not a day to do a lot of posting so I’m only going to provide you with my Photo Album from the BIO 2006 Convention. I didn’t get to go to the Career Fair but I found this picture from the BIO website.

Have a very enjoyable Easter weekend.

You can find the online Flickr photo album here: Bio 2006 Photo Album

AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

Biotech

Blog, Podcast and RSS Advertising Outlook

Chuck Zimmerman

PQ Media ReportThere’s some interesting new research out about how advertising on new media outlets is growing. This one comes from PQ Media. You can see an executive summary of the report and even listen (MP3) to it. Some of the report highlights are:

The culmination of six months of primary research, this report found that blog, podcast and RSS advertising are the fastest growing segments of the alternative media industry. These segments, known as user-generated online media, expanded at an aggregate 198.4% to $20.4 million in 2005, and are expected to grow another 144.9% to $49.8 million in 2006.

  • Blog advertising accounted for 81.4%, or $16.6 million, of total spending on blog, podcast and RSS advertising in 2005, but will comprise only 39.7% of the total in 2010.
  • Podcast advertising, meanwhile, reached $3.1 million in 2005, and is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 154.4% from 2006 to 2010, when it will be larger than blog advertising.
  • RSS advertising, non-existent until mid-2005, generated spending of $650,000 in 2005, but will be the fastest growing segment over the next five years.

    • (Full Release)

    Audio, Podcasts

    Collect Cards To Exit

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Iowa Team MembersAt the closing reception you had to find these guys and obtain one heart, spade, clover and diamond to get your take home gift on your way out from the reception.

    Each card was printed with facts about Iowa and it’s biotech industry.

    Fortunately you didn’t have to memorize the cards, just show them at the exit door. I think this is a great idea.

    AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

    Uncategorized

    Closing Reception Band

    Chuck Zimmerman

    Reception BandIowa was the sponsoring state for the closing reception. They hired a great band to play on the main stage.

    In another area karaoke was going on and there was casino action in the upper levels of the theater.

    You can hear and see the band here: : Watch WMV file Closing Reception Band (1 min wmv)

    AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

    Video

    BIO Dancer At Closing Reception

    Chuck Zimmerman

    BIO DancerThe closing reception was just as good as the others at BIO 2006.

    We had great food, beverage and music which featured dancers like this young lady.

    The reception took place at the Chicago Theater, a very nice venue with 3 levels of reception activity.

    AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

    Uncategorized

    PSP Giveaways Too

    Chuck Zimmerman

    PSP GiveawayThe iPod giveways were many at BIO’s trade show but don’t forget that there are other cool gadgets.

    It was almost refreshing to see a Sony PSP giveaway at this booth

    AgWired coverage of BIO 2006 is made possible by: Rhea & Kaiser Marketing Communications

    Uncategorized

    AdFarm Hires Haller

    Chuck Zimmerman

    AdFarm TruckThe big news from AdFarm today is that Ted Haller is now their media leadership guy.

    AdFarm announced today it has hired Ted Haller to lead the agency’s media strategy, planning and placement services. Haller and his firm, The Jordan Group, St. Louis, Mo., will work exclusively for AdFarm in agricultural markets. “At AdFarm, our purpose is to be ‘a catalyst for the advancement of agriculture’,” said Kim McConnell, chief executive officer. “This requires hiring and retaining the best team of marketing communications professionals available to assist our clients, whether they’re capitalizing on an exciting new opportunity or facing challenges from a competitive market environment.”

    You can learn more about what’s going on at AdFarm next week at the NAMA Conference by visiting their red pickup:

    On Thursday, April 20, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., the red, AdFarm truck will be parked in front of the Hyatt Regency – NAMA Conference headquarters. We’ll have AdFarmers on hand to show you how Crazy About Farming™ we really are – and a photographer to capture your complimentary, souvenir photograph in a genuine, bright red 1949 Ford pickup.

    I’ve got a feeling a pic from this will find it’s way to AgWired and the NAMA Blog.

    Agencies