Bringing "local" to marketing.

Mike Parry, a veteran of local radio in Minnesota and Iowa markets, is bringing his motivational and business development passions to the National Association of Farm Broadcasting (NAFB) as the Association's Marketing Consultant and Field Representative.

A native of Albert Lea, MN, and a resident of Waseca in downstate Minnesota, Parry counts himself among the rural lifestyle set with his 12 acres of homestead. His first official exposure to NAFB was attending the November 2007 Annual Convention, though for years he has been involved with stations affiliated with member farm networks.

His contract work which began January 1, already has included participation in state broadcaster association events in Wisconsin and Michigan, as well as the huge Shooting, Hunting, and Outdoor Trade (SHOT) show in Las Vegas, the Cattle Industry Convention, Commodity Classic, and the National Agri-Marketing Association (NAMA) Conference. He also is visiting NAFB broadcast and allied industry members during his travels, and is actively recruiting new members.

Parry's work in the field supports the NAFB member marketplace for agricultural and rural broadcasting, sharing strategic research, insights, and resources. His deep background and experience in radio sales training, as well as in operations and station management, positions him very well for bringing value to the NAFB community in service to agriculture.

FULL CIRCLE

"It's like coming full circle," he observes. "Growing up on a dairy farm, leaving for the "big city,' and now being back with those who help feed the world. It is truly an honor."

NAFB Executive Director Bill O'Neill says, "Mike absorbs new information in a hurry and converts that into seeing possibilities and opportunities, as he circulates in person and by phone. His background with local-market radio fits perfectly with our member networks Mike Party and stations. And his enthusiasm for building business in the agricultural and rural lifestyle markets is enhancing our member communication and services."

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NEW STUDY ON THE WAY

In coming months, Parry will be sharing the results of NAFB's comprehensive 2008 National Producer Media-Use Wave Study, among members of the Association's Allied Industry and Management & Sales Councils, as well as the Broadcast Council. That communication will include Webinars, as well as personal presentations.

"Information is powerful, and I'm so excited about the commitment that the NAFB Board has made in the commissioning of the 2008 Ag Media Usage Survey," Parry says. "Already we've seen exciting data that will surely help our members grow."

Within the month of June, he will have conducted three regional seminars for business personnel from NAFB member stations and networks. In August, he will attend the annual meeting of the Texas Association of Broadcasters.

He is keeping Association members aware of his ideas and work with marketing and promotion activity updates in the monthly eChats member newsletter, as well as via occasional "Parryscope" reports to business members. He can be contacted at [e-mail] or at 507/833-1883.

by the AgriMarketing Editors