AgGateway Communications Plan
AgGateway 2016 Communications Plan - Quarterly Goals
Q2 (April-June)
Media relations
Column in Precision Ag publication in advance of InfoAg
Column directed to Ag Retailers on need to get engaged
Goal of at least 3 press releases this quarter
Membership Campaign
Messaging - Further refine messaging and materials by target audience (value/benefits).
Tactical activities (based on plan formulated with CEO and COO in Q1) such as letters, flyers, etc.
Consider materials needed, leveraging website
LinkedIn Group
Materials/“Ambassador” program: (Q1 and throughout year)
Publicize to the membership the Communications Kit and how to use it.
Encourage members to have their company publications run stories on the company’s work with AgGateway.
Encourage ways to communicate with “c-level” executives within companies.
Producer Engagement
Consider concept of producer advisory group or some other way to engage producers/get their input. Consider: roundtable co-promoted with a publication. Or whether there are advisory groups that already exist that we can tap into.
Leverage relationships withtrade association members
Visits and calls
Website
Address how to facilitate newcomers into orientation of eAgriculture/ AgGateway
Address new members “area” and education needs
Re-evaluate current content and structure of the website to raise its effectiveness as a marketing tool, including:
Evaluate how to make the Home page more powerful
Address ways to maximize promotion of AgGateway resources (AGIIS, etc.)
Leadership recognition – Continue to recognize active companies and individuals to encourage continued volunteer participation and to demonstrate the contributions of AgGateway members companies.
Leverage further use of photography and video throughout the site.
Mid-Year Meeting Promotion
April
Flyer pdf
eBlasts 1) Register and Reserve hotel now (4/12); 2) Sponsorships (4/26)
Newsletter: May issue – Highlights, invite a trading partner (due 4/15; publish 5/4)
Communication to Councils to encourage registration (4/6)
Trade associations: Blurbs with request to run on their websites/newsletters (4/8)
May
Press release - promote speaker and educational opps, invite a trading partner – (5/4)
eBlasts: 1) Hotel reminder, invite a colleague (5 reasons you should be at MYM) – (5/3); 2) Invite a trading partner, hotel/registration reminder – (5/10); 3) Previous attendees eblast (5/17); 4) Networking opportunities, roughly 2 weeks out registration reminder – (5/24)
Communication to councils to encourage registration (5/2)
Newsletter: last minute information, transportation options (due 5/18; publish 6/3)
June (meeting begins June 13)
Membership eblasts: 1) Final reminder/logistics details (6/7); Survey (6/22)
Newsletter – July issue – thank sponsors (due 6/17)
Annual Conference Promotion
June
Website: Events page set up
Newsletter: Save the date on right sidebar of newsletter
MYM: Promotion at the meeting – info table about Annual Conference
AgGateway Global Network
Presence on AgGateway website with messaging on why it’s important to support these efforts.
Approach to affiliates’ logos – work with Rod Conner.