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LARGE, PROGRESSIVE FARMERS PROFILED BY BLACKSHEEP STRATEGYJuly 28, 2009 (Winnipeg, MB) - Blacksheep Strategy recently completed the second installment of its western Canadian syndicated research series, FarmShift (2009). One of the most striking results from the study is the discovery that many large farmers are moving from an expansion mentality to a focus on management and operational efficiency. "It's evident that these larger farmers believe that a solid strategy in marketing, production efficiency and financing is critical to their success. Firms that develop offerings and communications that meet these needs and concerns will win business from this segment," said Sharon Barker, Director of Research at Blacksheep Strategy. Initiated in 2007, FarmShift is a syndicated in-depth research study that captures insight and commentary from Canada's most successful farmers, identifying key drivers that govern their decisions. The research provides insight into the impact that shifts in the business of farming have had on leading, large-acreage farms. Respondents to the study have over a half million acres, with the average respondent having approximately 9,000 acres under crop. The study explored a wide range of topics, including growth plans, marketing, financing, and information sources. The impact of current economic conditions was an important theme of the 2009 research as well. Throughout the study, Blacksheep Strategy observed that larger farmers appreciate thoughtful offers and insightful communications from their suppliers. "Basically, firms that understand and address individual farmers' core concerns have the opportunity to build lasting relationships. Those that use a blunt, one size fits all approach will have less success," said Barker. The research also included a module dedicated to Hutterite farm operations, contrasting that model with other farmers' ownership and management approaches. "The Hutterite component of the study generated considerable interest and Blacksheep Strategy is planning follow up research that specifically addresses doing business with Hutterites," said Barker. Blacksheep Strategy is a consulting firm that provides brand strategy and market research services to large organizations and entrepreneurial businesses. Blacksheep is at the forefront of the agricultural industry with respect to understanding farmers' perceptions and expectations of their suppliers. While the firm has extensive experience working in Canadian agriculture, much of its work comes from applying brand strategy in other sectors, including heavy equipment, finance, technology, and non-profit organizations. See www.blacksheepstrategy.com. -30- For more information: Sharon Barker Russell Jeffrey
TOP BRANDING AWARD FOR BLACKSHEEP STRATEGYJuly 7, 2008 [WINNIPEG, MB] The brand developed by Blacksheep Strategy for Innovation Credit Union took home top honours in the credit union industry's national awards. The Achievement in Marketing Excellence (AIME) awards for both Brand Enhancement and People's Choice, were recently awarded to Innovation Credit Union at the MACU conference in Whistler, BC. Brought in as the result of a credit union merger, Innovation Credit Union engaged Blacksheep to develop a research-driven brand strategy. After carrying out extensive research with financial institution customers and employees, Blacksheep formulated the brand strategy and created all of the supporting materials required for launching the new brand. Mergers are often the impetus for the creation of new brands and we're fortunate to have helped companies through this process on multiple occasions, said Derrick Coupland, Principal of Blacksheep Strategy. The opportunity to explore audience perceptions through research and develop a new brand is always exciting because you're really creating a new identity for an organization. What makes the process even more satisfying is when we see a new brand help to unify the merged entity under a common banner it goes far beyond advertising as it helps create common ground and actually helps bring two organizational cultures together. Blacksheep Strategy (www.blacksheepstrategy.com) is a branding and research firm focused on developing distinct, relevant and differentiated brands. Blacksheep deploys world-class facilitation and research expertise in the areas of brand development, strategic planning and public relations -30- For more information: Call Derrick Coupland at 204.927.9300.
HUMAN RIGHTS VIDEO AWARDS FOR BLACKSHEEP STRATEGYJuly 9, 2008 [WINNIPEG, MB] – Multiple honours have been awarded to the video created for the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, “Forever Changed.” Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights approached Blacksheep Strategy for help to create a tool that would tell their story to people around the world and aid with fundraising efforts. Blacksheep Strategy developed a creative theme for the video rooted in the real-life personal account of human rights victims and activists. Producing the video in conjunction with Frantic Films and Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, it has proven to be a highly effective tool in the fundraising efforts for the museum. “Forever Changed” just received its fifth award – the CINE Golden Eagle Award. The other awards that were recently accepted include two Telly Awards, a Summit International Creative Award, and a DV Award. “Rarely have we had an opportunity to work on a project that has impacted us as personally as this one”, says Derrick Coupland, Principal of Blacksheep Strategy. “We whole-heartedly applaud the efforts of the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights and we couldn’t be happier about having the opportunity to assist them in their noble pursuit.” View the video at: http://www.blacksheepstrategy.com/index/video Blacksheep Strategy (www.blacksheepstrategy.com) is a branding and research firm focused on developing distinct, relevant and differentiated brands. Blacksheep deploys world-class facilitation and research expertise in the areas of brand development, strategic planning and public relations. -30- For more information: Call Derrick Coupland at 204.927.9300. About the Awards: About Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights
United Way Winnipeg Launches Unique Research Initiative - Urban ExchangeLongtime Blacksheep client, United Way Winnipeg, launched a research initiative engaging Winnipeggers to have their say about their city and it's direction. Urban Exchange is an advisory panel open to all Winnipeggers to talk and advise of the social issues important to them. Blacksheep created the concept of the panel, designed the survey, and developed the visual image for Urban Exchange. The first Urban Exchange report has recently been released. For more information and to view the research results, visit mycitymysay.ca
Large, Progressive Farmers Profiled by Blacksheep StrategyNovember 14, 2007 (Winnipeg, MB) - Blacksheep Strategy recently presented the final results of its syndicated research study, FarmShift, to its subscribers. The intent of this research is to identify and understand the changes in how leading, expanding farmers in western Canada are thinking and doing business. Perhaps the most striking results from the study relate to differences between the large, progressive farmer and their more traditional counterparts. "A key difference between this segment and the traditional farmer lies in their level of sophistication. Whether it's equipment, finance, inputs, or grain merchandising, all decisions are considered in the context of the bottom line," said Sharon Barker, Director of Research at Blacksheep Strategy. Farmers discussed a wide range of topics, including equipment, supplier relationships, critical success factors and their needs related to their growth. Their approach is often very different than that of smaller farmers. For example, some draw the analogy of the farm as a factory. On their farms, as on a factory floor, equipment decisions are complex and driven by both tangible and intangible factors. Further, equipment decisions are very closely linked to growth strategies. As one farmer put it, "We spend a lot of time thinking about how we acquire new equipment." This business orientation has profound implications for companies that serve the large farmer segment and calls into question the traditional approach to communications. "This study causes us to wonder about how much of the communications directed at CEO farmers would strike them as irrelevant or worse, condescending," added Barker. "These farmers are operating as CEOs and should be treated accordingly." FarmShift is an indepth qualitative research study that captures insight and commentary from Canada's most successful farmers, identifying key drivers that govern their buying decisions. The research provides insight into the impact that shifts in the business of farming have had on leading and expanding farms, and how supplier relationships have changed. Blacksheep Strategy (www.blacksheepstrategy.com) is a branding and research firm focused on developing distinct, relevant and differentiated brands. Blacksheep deploys world-class facilitation and research expertise in the areas of brand development, strategic planning and public relations. -30- For more information email us at wool@blacksheepstrategy.com or call: Sharon Barker Russell Jeffrey
>>>>>> Blacksheep Strategy Inc. http://www. blacksheepstrategy.com/ Contact us by email at wool@blacksheepstrategy.com. Copyright © 2007, Blacksheep Strategy Inc.
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