It better be cool - Marketing 101

Make me stop and take a look. 

It really seems as though everyone has stepped up their game, and that's a good thing. There have been numerous pieces this week that have caught my eye - I'll be sharing some more with you soon, but right now it is time to pass the praise.

First off. LD Photography. 

I stumbled upon the Lauren Denver blog this week, and I am really glad that I did. I think she is is an extremely talented, young photographer. I don't know her personally, but when people have talent like this they deserve to be recognized.

I would really like this photo to be hanging in my house. On canvas. 

I love this, and now I can't wait for it to snow again.

Secondly. Farmsigns.com.

I have already talked about Farmsigns.com once in my Marketing 101 posts. Now, they have done it again. 

Farmsigns.com does amazing farm and business signs. I love the modern twist on this piece. I think farms and ranches could use a little bit more of creative twist sometimes. 

Visit the farmsigns.com facebook page for more photos of this sign. 

And to end it, Bella Spur Innovative Marketing

I have always looked up to Laura Bodell and Jamie-Rae Pittman. First in the showring, second because they are creative geniuses and third well they always had awesome hair and style - it's true. The girls have recently launched their facebook page and it's definitely worth checking out. My favorites so far. 

I love this logo. Maybe it's due to my love of red cows?

This ad is awesome. There is so much going on, and it speaks to so many things, yet it's simple. Something that doesn't always happen in advertising. 

So what do these three advertising pieces have in common? They all stopped and made me look, not because they were using the splashiest colors, or a shocking photo, or ridiculous statement to sell something. It is because this is quality work, that has an artistic approach. Good job folks, keep up the great work. 

The Farm Sign - Marketing 101

Who are you?

Today I would like to share a pet peeve of mine with you. I spend a lot of time on the road. Interstates, freeways, highways, county roads, roads that don't show up on my Garmin. And because of that I see a lot of farmland, crops and cows.

Do you know how many times I have driven past a beautiful set of black cows (they are the ones that seem to catch my eye the most, but any color or breed will work) and I say to myself, "Hmm that are pretty good set of cattle, I wonder who owns them," because Farmer Joe or Ranch Bob hasn't got a farm sign up. I mean business in town don't not put up signs because they want you to guess who they are and what they sell. Lost opportunities can mean lost dollars.

My friends Catherine and Luke have a beautiful farm sign for their Brahman and Shorthorn ranch - V8 Ranch.

This is the smaller farm sign they have closer to their house, and there is a larger one by the road that points them in the right direction to their ranch. 

I think this maybe one of the most beautiful ranch signs I have ever seen. Check out the creator's facebook page farmsigns.com. I can't wait to post more of their stuff on my blog. 

And you can be sure one day when I am on my own farm I'll have a big sign! 

p.s Thanks to Luke for sending me these photos. Luke and Catherine have a growing photography business, Our Little Ranch Photography, and take some amazing photos! 

Cattle and Elephant - creative advertising

Thinking outside the box

I remember on my first trip to the American Angus Association I came across the "elephant ad" in their library, and thought now that's original. The ad was clear, and it made a point. Exotic cattle - Simmental, Charolais, Salers, etc., were too big, and Angus was a good solution.

I am Angus featured the campaign that was developed in 1984, and ran for two years before they decided that making fun of other breeds should stop. My family was raising those elephants at the time - Simmental cattle to be exact. After watching the champion drive in the Simmental female show at Agribition I am glad and excited about the improvements that our breed has made, and can certainly say we don't have anymore of those elephants.

On our farm we care

Speaking to the public

I came across these billboards that have been put in place by the Farm Animal Council of Saskatchewan (FACS). I have talked a lot about what U.S. agriculture groups are doing to tell agriculture's story. Sometimes I feel like Canadians aren't as aware of what animal rights groups are capable of, and where our industry may be headed. I really commend the FACS and the livestock associations they have worked with, in being proactive.

We need consumers to know what a farmer and rancher looks like. They trust us, we just have to talk to them.

The FACS has a lot of good resources on their website that I would encourage you to check out.