2012 Smart Marketing Trends Webinar

Written by NAMA on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 , 8:48 am

Thursday, September 13  1:00 p.m central

Are you an integrated marketer? Have you evaluated your current practices based on last year’s success? If these questions spark your interest, you won’t want to miss Nick Barkman from Gragg Advertising and Jennifer Flood from IntegriShield as they walk through establishing the best media mix in order to achieve an optimal cost per sale. Don’t be confused, the session is not about the hottest trends of the year. Because, according to Nick, there’s often “little correlation between what’s hot and what actually works.”

These trends have been tested, and Jennifer and Nick have a long list of client success stories to prove it. As experts in pay-per-click advertising, strategic partnerships, link building, database managing, and affiliate relationships, they will provide you with manageable steps you can take to “market smart.”

Register now for the webinar online at the link below or call the NAMA Office at 913-491-6500: https://secure.confertel.net/tsregister.asp?course=567301

Today’s Farmer: “Not Just Digging in the Dirt …”

Written by NAMA on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 , 8:47 am

2012 Boot Camp Attendees get inside view of the modern farmer.

Marketers. Mechanics. Crop Scouts. These are just some of the hats farmers wear today. Attendees at the 2012 NAMA Boot Camp heard about the many roles farmers play firsthand in a fast-paced kickoff video produced by SFP Productions.

The conversation continued with the beloved producers panel, as farmers from the Midwest and Southwest discussed the factors that influence their purchasing decisions, the challenges they face and how agri-marketers can best serve them with information and offers.

Information was critical, and panelists agreed that rich content was the best use for Facebook and websites. Trust was a recurring theme, and panelists said knowledgeable chemical, seed and equipment reps and extension personnel were their allies in buying decisions.

Conversations during the refreshment break before the morning breakout sessions centered on the ag tour held the day before. Attendees who made it to Kansas City early had the chance to visit Jowler Creek Winery, Green Dirt Farms and Shoal Creek Land and Cattle.

Morning breakouts on the first day of Boot Camp tackled row crops and crisis management communications. Both were basic enough to introduce greenhorns to new terminology, but the presenters were experienced enough to thoughtfully answer the in-depth questions of more seasoned audience members.

NAMA leaders shared how to best take advantage of NAMA membership during the luncheon, and afternoon breakouts looked at livestock production, the history of the cooperative and best practices for using social media wisely to meet business objectives.

The day ended with a reception at Kansas City’s Boulevard Brewery, where Boot Campers enjoyed complimentary beer, wine and appetizers.

Day two began with a discussion of “the Media Mix” and how lines are blurred in today’s communications environment. Panelists urged the audience to think of creating “communications plans” rather than “advertising plans” and to get comfortable thinking outside the box because there’s no single solution to every communications challenge.

A final session, “From the Farm and Back Again,” provided the perfect ending for Boot Camp. Panelists discussed their adventures going from the farm, to the agency and marketing world and back to getting their hands dirty on the farm again.

If you couldn’t make it to Boot Camp this year, never fear. NAMA hosts this annual event every fall to get new hires in agri-marketing up and running and help seasoned pros get a handle on new trends in the industry. Keep an eye on nama.org for next year’s schedule.

Iowa and Cornbelt Reception at Farm Progress

Written by NAMA on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 , 8:44 am

The Iowa and Cornbelt NAMA chapters sponsored a joint reception on Wednesday, August 29, at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa.  The reception was one of the largest ones yet at Farm Progress, with approximately 75 people attending throughout the two-hour period.

Florida Chapter Meeting Featured Osborn Barr

Written by NAMA on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 , 8:43 am

The summer meeting for the NAMA Florida Chapter was held July 11 at the Ritz Carlton hotel in Manalapan. The meeting kicked off with a video from Osborn Barr that was featured at the NAMA conference in Kansas City in April.  The crowd loved the award-winning campaigns spotlighting some of the nation’s largest and most respected agri-businesses.

About 50 people attended the luncheon that featured Dr. Tracy Irani with the University of Florida’s Public Issues Education Center (PIE Center).  Together with her assistant Rachael Divine, she presented cutting-edge research to help all agri- marketing professionals communicate better with their intended audiences.  The research was obtained by conducting several focus groups around the state to test strategic messages to uncover emotions, thoughts and ideas that the participants had with regard to agricultural words, phrases and images.  Dr. Irani and the PIE Center are a valuable resource to agri-marketers across the state; NAMA was pleased to be able to bring them together with industry representatives to share the information and effectively giving us a look into the consumer mindset.

The event sponsors included Southeast AgNet, Farm Credit, and Florida Fertilizer & Agri-Chemical Association.  Thank you to The Market Place for sharing their pictures.

IN MEMORIAM Dr. Sabry Shehata

Written by NAMA on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 , 8:42 am

NAMA is mourning the loss of a former member/student advisor and friend, Dr. Sabry Shehata.  Dr. Shehata was a professor with the College of Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resource Management at the University of Hawaii.  He was  the NAMA Student Advisor since 1992 and coached the University of Hawaii student NAMA teams. 

Our thoughts and prayers are with the Shehata family.

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