Maybe Elizabeth Hurley Has Milk

Chuck Zimmerman

Got Milk AdI’ve always liked the Got Milk campaign. They seem to keep finding the stars to encourage people to drink milk. I’m wondering if this the next “Got Milk” ad? I would call this a rumor for now. I saw a story on Adrants that Elizabeth Hurley will be the new poster child for the campaign. Supposedly it will run in the upcoming Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue and the copy will read, “(Gulp!) Shocked I’m a mom? You should know by now that milk’s nine essential nutrients make for one irresistible body.”

The post mistakenly attributes the campaign to the American Dairy Association, which isn’t the case. The Got Milk campaign is run by “The Milk Processor Education Program (MilkPEP).” It is funded by the nation’s milk processors, who are committed to increasing fluid milk consumption.

Dairy

The Fall of Advertising & The Rise of PR

Chuck Zimmerman

ZimmCast55-Laura RiesAt the upcoming NAMA convention in Kansas City, Laura Ries will be conducting a general session called “The Fall of Advertising & The Rise of PR.” That’s very important subject material to me and I’m sure you too. Laura works with her Dad, Al Ries, at their Atlanta-based marketing strategy firm.

Cindy did the interview and we’ll feature it on the NAMA blog soon too. I’ll be posting content on their blog for the conference just like I did at last fall’s Agribusiness Forum.

You can listen to this week’s ZimmCast here: Download MP3 File

The ZimmCast is the official weekly podcast of AgWired which you can subscribe to using the link in our sidebar.

You can also now find the ZimmCast on CoolCast Radio or subscribe in iTunes.

Agencies, Audio, NAMA, Podcasts, ZimmCast

NAMA ADS Program Official

Chuck Zimmerman

NAMAHave you heard of the Agriculture Advertising Data Source? Me either. Until now. It’s the NAMA ADS program. Here’s what it’s all about:

The program’s goal is to provide NAMA members a means to obtain advertising placement data through an unbiased source. This source will allow client companies and their agencies to have better market intelligence and a rough estimate of media placement levels without compromising confidentiality.

The first phase of the program is focusing on crop protection products from 2005. If this program is successful it may be rolled out to other areas of media placement. The exchange of information will be mutually beneficial to each company participating and no rate information will be supplied.

What will the participants receive:

Compiled Electronic File of all data sorted by product, crop and publication
Summary reports including:
Percent of Weight by Media Type for Crop Protection as a whole
Percent of Weight by Media Type for individual product type
Percent of Weight by Media Type by Crop
Percent of Weight by Media Type by month for Crop Protection
Percent of Weight by Media Type by month for individual product type
Percent of Weight by Media Type by month for crop

At this time the program is open to any crop protection products seller. Data contributors pay a fee to access the complied data plus summary analysis. The fee is intended to defray the cost of compiling data and generating reports. Note: Under no circumstances will compiled data be distributed beyond the contributing members.

Interesting. I wonder if they’ll get the data they need. This sounds like a tough project to get off the ground. Although I can understand not wanting to divulge rate information, it seems like totals for different media categories would be nice.

Agencies, Agribusiness, NAMA

Winecast Is Seeking Sponsors

Chuck Zimmerman

One of my favorite podcasts is Winecast, hosted by Tim Elliott. Each week I learn about a new variety from his perspective. He seems to know what he’s talking about.

I was interested to see today that he’s outsourcing the sales representation of the show to a company called BackBeat Media. Sales reps for podcasts? Interesting concept.

“After more than a year of doing the show, I felt it was time to find a partnership with a company who could focus on the business side of Winecast so I could focus on the podcast itself,” said Tim Elliott, host of Winecast. “I’m confident that BackBeat Media is that partner who will grow Winecast even further.”

Winecast is the first and most educational wine-related podcast. Each week Tim focuses on a wine region or grape variety with tasting notes for these wines along with other wine-related subjects and interviews. Listened to by wine aficionados and novices alike, Winecast’s listeners are smart, loyal and eager to hear each week’s installment. Listeners may subscribe to Winecast by visiting www.winecast.net or the major podcast directories such as Apple’s iTunes Music Store.

It’s nice to listen to a commercial free show but I would put up with commercials because I’m sure Tim needs the money. I can relate. Since it’s been just about a year since I started the ZimmCast I think it’s high time to get it sold.

Podcasts

Bodisen Launches Mancozeb Facility

Chuck Zimmerman

Bodisen Biotech It seems like we’re seeing more and more news from China these days. In this case, Bodisen Biotech, which claims that it is the “first China-based environmentally friendly bio-fertilizer company listed on a US stock exchange (AMEX),” today announced the launch of its new pesticide raw materials production line which is expected to make it one of the largest producers of Mancozeb in China.

Mancozeb is the most versatile chemical used in the production of fungicides due to the fact that it can also be utilized as an end product on crops and not just as a raw material. Bodisen’s state of the art facility, which is expected to be completed in March 2006, will employ some of the most current agricultural technologies available. The new manufacturing facility gives Bodisen a competitive advantage, which it believes will increase its production density up to 20% higher than its competitors, making Bodisen an emerging leader in China’s agricultural and raw materials markets.

Bodisen is a Delaware company with headquarters in Shaanxi, China’s agricultural hub.

Agribusiness, International

New AGCO Website

Chuck Zimmerman

AGCO AGCO has a new website. One thing I like about it is the simplicity and that pages load quickly. That’s a definite plus for anyone and most importantly their customers. Here’s how they describe some of the elements of the new site:

The world map background on the opening page of the website invites visitors to learn more about this international manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment. The prominent images of people on every page reflect company recognition that its success is dependent upon its customers, dealers and employees. With AGCO’s growth from start-up in 1990 with the purchase of Deutz Allis to 2004 sales of $5.3 billion and a position on the Fortune 500 list, the home page invitation
to “GROW WITH US” is particularly appropriate. The website showcases the growth of the company through its 21 acquisitions to world leadership positions in tractor sales, superior technology, innovative solutions and unsurpassed customer service, all dedicated to agriculture.

I would urge them to consider adding an RSS Feed of their news releases. This is a growing trend with companies and would make it easier to receive them. They do have an email signup for news and other announcements though.

Agribusiness, Internet

BASF Podcasting, Almost

Chuck Zimmerman

BASF I’ve been waiting a while to write about this since I was told I’d be receiving one but so far, nada. It, being an iPod Nano from BASF (or their agency, Quarry Integrated Communications). When I first heard that BASF would be podcasting I got excited. Then I realized it was only for the press, not their customers. Hmmm.

I just received a release about their latest product, Cabrio EG fungicide. On it there’s a link to the BASF Ag Media Central website where as reporters we go to get information. The very first thing it says is “BASF Ag Media Update is our new podcasting service for our friends in the agricultural media. Tune in on your new iPod Nano. It’s easy!” I agree it should be. If you have an iPod Nano of course. Or if you could subscribe to it.

So let’s say I’m a reporter with an iPod (I do, just not a free Nano from BASF). And let’s realize that a podcast is something you subscribe to so that you automatically receive it on your computer and your iPod or other digital audio player. The way this is set up, I have to download the MP3 file and then drag it into my iTunes before I can listen to what they have to say on my iPod. That’s not podcasting. That’s just uploading an audio file that someone can download. Assuming that there will be more of these reports I would have to download them manually each time before loading them into my iPod.

Hey folks, give me a call and I’ll be happy to show you how to create an XML file so that the reporters you’re targeting can subscribe once and then automatically receive your reports in the future. That’s podcasting. This shows that there’s still a lot of mis-understanding about what podcasting is and how to do it. That’s why ZimmComm New Media exists. To help companies like BASF and their agency understand and do it right.

All right. So BASF isn’t actually podcasting, but they’re moving in the right direction. I applaud them for taking the step. Now I’d like to call on them to take an even bigger step. Bigger than just creating a file you can subscribe to. Now I am suggesting that if you’re going to pay a company to produce a slick sounding report on your latest products and services – Go Direct To Your Customers!! Podcasting isn’t about reaching the press. I agree that it’s one way you can do that but . . . Why not let farmers who might want to buy Headline or Cabrio or any of the myriad of products you have, subscribe? They have iPods. They use them. The ones who do are probably at the top of your target list. They’re the early adopters, information junkies and risk takers.

Agencies, Agribusiness, Podcasts

Calling For Agriblogging Farm Podcasters

Chuck Zimmerman

I’m looking for agribloggers. Interested?

I’m not talking full time job here. I don’t need or want full time workers. Here’s who I’m looking for:

Passionate about agriculture
Willing to write one or more articles per day at least 5 days per week
Can be brief and yet offer significant information and ideas
Computer literate (knows how to make a hyperlink, Google’s to find out stuff, etc.)
Already blogs would be nice
Can take a decent digital photo and edit it
Owns a digital camera and notebook computer

I’m looking for more than one of these people. If you are one please let me know. We’ll be starting out on a per-post payment plan which I’ll negotiate with you individually. I’m willing to provide some training and possible software if needed.

Writers are needed for AgWired, DomesticFuel and World Dairy Diary. There may be some travel opportunities as things progress.

Now if you really want to get my attention let me know that you would like to start farm podcasting. By that I mean producing regular audio content (interviews, etc.). I need someone who can take care of the production which would include uploading files and managing an xml file.

I don’t care if you have a “day” job. I don’t care if you’re currently unemployed even. What I will care about is quality, self-initiative and dependability.

Podcasts

Video Podcasts From Monsanto

Chuck Zimmerman

Conversations About Plant Biotechnology Someone on Monsanto is getting on the Cluetrain. I reported about Monsanto’s “Conversations . . . ” a while ago. Now they’re podcasting them.

The new multimedia website Conversations about Plant Biotechnology at biotech-gmo.com is launching weekly video podcasts. Viewers are now able to set their favorite video podcast aggregator or portable digital media player to retrieve the latest videos of farmers and experts discussing their personal views and first-hand experiences with genetically modified crops.

To subscribe to these video podcast feeds, viewers simply paste the following URL in their podcast directory: http://www.monsanto.com/biotech-gmo/rss/podcast.xml. This new video podcast service begins with three compelling videos about the benefits of biotech crops . . .”

What’s in your iPod?

Agribusiness, Podcasts, Video

Golf Irrigation By John Deere

Chuck Zimmerman

John DeereIt’s tough getting your groove back after a 2 week road trip but I’m working on it. I just saw an announcement for John Deere Golf Irrigation. They’ve entered into an exclusive strategic alliance with Signature Control Systems, Inc.to jointly research, create and distribute water management products and solutions for the golf market. Which means that:

John Deere Golf & Turf One Source announced the launch of John Deere Golf Irrigation, a full line of state–of–the–art heads, valves, and control, sensing and communications systems available to One Source customers this spring.

“We’re pleased to offer this new product line to our golf customers,” said Gregg Breningmeyer, director of sales and marketing. “Until this point, One Source distributors only had access to irrigation products in specific regions. With this introduction, all 44 North American One Source distributors are now able to provide a full range of John Deere golf irrigation products.”

I haven’t even checked yet. Will you also drive around in a green golf cart?

Agribusiness