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News Release from: The Chartered Institute of Marketing | Subject: marketing event
Edited by the Marketingservicestalk Editorial
Team on 06 June 2008
Guy Watson to address CIM
Founder of Riverford Organic Vegetables Guy Watson is to address the Devon and Cornwall branch of the CIM in June on how he has built his multimillion-pound organic business.
Awarded HSBC's Brand Builder of the Year in 2003, Guy Watson has successfully positioned organic produce at the forefront of Britain's food industry The event on Wednesday 18 June will give marketers and local businesses the opportunity to hear Riverford Organic Vegetables' fascinating success story, based on Watson's vision and determination to change the food industry
This article was originally published on Marketingservicestalk on 25 Jan 2008 at 8.00am (UK)
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Watson will discuss how Riverford Organic Vegetables grew from three acres and a wheelbarrow into an organic vegetable business of supermarket-challenging proportions.
He will also explain how effective marketing has been integral to the company's expansion and success.
Last year, 100 franchisees made a total of 45,000 deliveries each week through Riverford's vegetable box scheme.
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Riverford also has joint ventures with three sister farms across the UK, responsible for growing and packing the vegetables.
Together they generate an estimated GBP30 million turnover, making it one of the most successful organic ventures in the country.
Watson said: "For Riverford, being organic is much more than gaining an official stamp; it is about a set of business values that course through the veins of every part of the organisation.
"Marketing has enabled us to develop an effective relationship with customers to understand their needs and views of organic production.
"Since our small-scale beginnings, we have always believed in sharing our very best produce from field to table with our customers".
Mike Weed, chair of the Devon and Cornwall branch for The Institute, said: "The event will provide an exciting insight into how one man's vision and sound marketing can be shaped into a multimillion-pound business.
"It's important for the Institute to highlight local businesses that not only recognise marketing as a valuable, integral business tool but strive to remain true to their customers and employees through strong ethics".
Attendees will also be taken on a short walk and talk through the fields, followed by a delicious supper served in the farm's field kitchen.
The event will be held at Riverford Farm, Wash Barn, Buckfastleigh, Devon, on Wednesday 18 June from 6.30pm until 9.00pm.
Marketing professionals, business owners and managers interested in learning more about the Chartered Institute of Marketing and professional marketing development are invited to attend a further event on 25 June at the Thistle Hotel in Exeter at 6.30pm.
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