Thursday, 12 September 2019 09:55

Telling rural stories better

Written by  Pam Tipa
Nine-year-old Lucy O’Reilly features in DWN’s new social media campaign. Nine-year-old Lucy O’Reilly features in DWN’s new social media campaign.

Dairy Women's Network (DWN) last week launched a new website, Instagram page and online visual story telling project called ‘Our People. Their Stories’.

The website will also use webinars and Vlogs (video blogs) as part of it visual story telling focus.

DWN says looking to create deep emotional connections is the drive behind ‘Our People. Their Stories’, which has already attracted television coverage.

The first story features Lucy O’Reilly (9), who prefers the latest dairy farming catalogues to children’s books. This was released to coincide with the website launch last Tuesday. 

Lucy has her own herd and loves nothing more than helping out on the farm near Tirau, Waikato.

“We all just fell in love with Lucy,” said DWN chief executive Jules Benton. “Her story is real, authentic and is from the heart.  

“We sent some early footage to Seven Sharp which resulted in Hilary Barry coming down to the O’Reilly’s farm to spend a morning with Lucy for her ‘Hilary Helps’ segment that ended up being the story of the week for the show.”

Benton says DWN is rolling out a series of short, motivating visual stories, professionally produced, over our social channels and platforms.

“We are treating them like a mini television series and some of the content will also be used to pitch to mainstream media.”

The ‘Our People. Their Stories’ project is intended to have DWN engage more deeply with its members and ultimately the dairy industry.

“Stories create deep emotional connections and they start conversations,” says Benton. “We [will tell] stories that will transport and touch people, inspire, educate and engage and provoke an emotional response.”

Each story will have a unique angle to make it special, Benton says. 

“We want to showcase all the differing elements of agri-industry in New Zealand, and how women are making a substantial difference to the success of dairy businesses that contribute to a better New Zealand. There are amazing stories we can’t wait to show.

“DWN is driven and inspired by people actively involved in the agri industry at all levels. By celebrating news, achievements and shared experiences, our members and wider rural communities are empowered to strive for more.”

More like this

DWN welcomes new trustees to board

The Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) will welcome two new trustees to its board at the organisation’s annual meeting later this month.

Regional leader award

Eastern Bay of Plenty farmer Rebecca O’Brien was named the 2024 Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) Regional Leader of the Year.

Featured

Low interest sustainability lending from Halter, banks

Dairy and beef farmers could be eligible for lower interest lending options for financing Halter on their farms, with ANZ, ASB and BNZ now offering a pathway to sustainability loans for New Zealand’s largest virtual fencing provider.

National

Sweet or sour deal?

Not all stakeholders involved in the proposed merger of honey industry groups - ApiNZ and Unique Manuka Factor Honey Association…

Machinery & Products

Loosening soil without fuss

Distributed in New Zealand by Carrfields, Grange Farm Machinery is based in the Holderness region of East Yorkshire – an…

JCB unveils new models

The first of the UK’s agricultural trade shows was recently held at the NEC Centre in Birmingham.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Times have changed

OPINION: Back in the 1960s and '70s, and even into the '80s, successive National government Agriculture Ministers and Trade Ministers…

Hallelujah moment

OPINION: The new Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche has just had the hallelujah moment of the 21st century in…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter