Smart phones, iPads, and social media platforms are changing the way agribusiness companies like
FMC Agricultural Solutions are able to reach their audiences.
FMC has had great success with two different promotions that have a social media aspect to them. One is FMC’s on-line video series “Authority Minute” which will expand its focus to become simply “The FMC Minute” in December, according to FMC Strategic Communications Manager Paul Redhage. “We’ve had such great response, several thousands of growers and retailers, that have participated in that digital video series,” he said. The videos will now be expanded to include corn and soybeans, weeds and insects, and other important farm management topics as well.
Paul says the fun part of it is that farmers get a chance to win stuff at the same time they are getting new information. “Each episode we’ll pick out five $100 gift card winners and there will be sweepstakes for trips or generators or hunting supplies,” he said, adding that they will likely expand the Minute to include other crops and geographies in the future.
FMC has also had great success with the Anthem Singing Contest, which has a social media aspect to it as well with on-line voting. “We ended up having like 90,000 on-line votes for that program,” said Paul of the contest which they took to the National FFA Convention last month. Paul says they brought in a sound booth to allow FFA members to “get a head start” on prepping for the 2014 contest. “We had over 400 students do that!” Paul said. “So the kids really responded enthusiastically.” Next year will be the third year for the contest and he expects it to be bigger than ever. “Students simply have to record themselves on their iPhones or whatever singing the national anthem and then upload it to FMCCrop.com/contest” starting March 1 for a chance at $25,000 in college scholarships.
Listen to my interview with Paul here: [wpaudio url=”http://zimmcomm.biz/nafb/nafb13-fmc-paul.mp3″ text=”Interview with Paul Redhage, FMC Agricultural Products”]
2013 NAFB Convention Photo Album
