The marketing firm CEO enhanced the perception of agriculture in the media and urban general public
Kim McConnell, founder and former chief executive officer of one of North American’s largest agricultural marketing firms, will be inducted into the Canadian Agricultural Hall of Fame this year.
The well-known former leader of AdFarm will join two other 2012 recipients, Western Producer journalist Barry Wilson and cattle breeder Bertrand Boisclair, as this year’s inductees.
McConnell founded one of Canada’s first marketing and communications agencies dedicated to agriculture and agri-business. It now has offices in Calgary, Guelph, Kansas City, St. Louis, Fargo and Sacramento.
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He turned over AdFarm operations to new management in 2007 and continues to act as an adviser. He is also a director with various companies and organizations.
During his career, he has been named Canadian agri-marketer of the year and entrepreneur of the year and served on the Estey commission during formation of a report on grain handling and transportation.
McConnell acted as interim CEO during the formation of Canada Beef and serves as a director on the Alberta Livestock and Meat Agency.
He is vice-chair of the Canadian 4-H Foundation and holds several other positions with agriculturally related organizations.
In its news release announcing this year’s recipients, the hall of fame noted McConnell’s contributions to agriculture.
“Kim was one of the first to recognize that agriculture must evolve to meet the consumer and communication challenges (and opportunities) resulting from the arrival of new media and information-sharing technologies,” it said.
“A key passion for Kim is to be a catalyst for agriculture, to enhance the perception of agriculture with stakeholders, media and the general public, in particular, urban consumers. In this regard he has been, and still is, an industry pioneer.” Induction ceremonies will take place Nov. 4 in Toronto.
