Dow AgroSciences in Australia is a subsidiary of the global Dow Chemical Company. In September 2011, Dow AgroSciences bought a 50% stake in the youngest of Australia’s main wheat breeding companies, HRZ Wheats Pty Ltd, and Hardman Communications was selected to manage Dow AgroSciences’ media announcement of the agreement.

We produced a media release which was distributed to key agricultural media, and was also issued to investor media in consultation with Dow AgroSciences corporate affairs. The media release established the background to HRZ and its charter to specialise in research and development of new varieties of wheat that prove resilient in Australia’s high rainfall zones.

Additionally, we developed a Q&A sheet which addressed questions likely to arise from Dow AgroSciences’ staff, media and stakeholders. The Q&A was an important tool because it ensured the company’s role in and messages around agreement were accurately represented.

Results:

24 news media hits in targeted publications, including key rural newspapers from the Rural Press stable, along with important titles like Countryman and Stock Journal. Coverage also included online specialist news sites such as Kondiningroup.com.au and a range of investor publications like Business Week.