Nov 26, 2019
USHBC selects Sterling-Rice Group to lead food service program

The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) has named the Sterling-Rice Group (SRG) as its agency of record with responsibility for integrated food service marketing and promotional activities for the council and the blueberry industry.

SRG was awarded the USHBC account following a comprehensive review process that attracted many high-profile agencies around the country and was narrowed to a final group of four. The decision to hire SRG was made by the council’s Promotion Committee, a group of blueberry growers and marketers. 

“SRG came in with a distinctive approach to working with us as a business partner to help us drive the volume of sales of fresh and frozen blueberries,” explained Bob Carini, owner of Carini Farms in West Olive, Michigan, and chair of the USHBC Promotion Committee. “They have an impressive track record of working with and connecting commodities with large food service operators, finding creative ways to grow the channel and working with chefs to develop new ways for consumers to enjoy blueberries across the menu and in different formats throughout the day.”

On behalf of USHBC, SRG will build an integrated program that leverages research and insights, culinary innovation, promotional support and advertising to reach key decision-makers within the food service industry to grow volume and increase sales. 

This B2B approach has helped the agency grow sales and volume for many global brands and U.S. commodity boards such as Avocados From Mexico, the Almond Board of California and Potatoes USA.

“This is an exciting opportunity and change for USHBC’s promotion and marketing efforts within the food service channel,” shared Kasey Cronquist, president of USHBC. “We’re looking forward to working with the team at SRG on volume-driving opportunities over the next two years.” 

SRG’s first project for the USHBC will be to conduct a volumetric study to determine how many blueberries are being sold across food service and to identify opportunities for expansion.

 

 

 




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