CONTENTS

The Returns to Brand Advertising in the California Almond Industry

Manager's Viewpoint

California Almond Program Litigation Returns to 9th Circuit Court of Appeals

Editor's Notes

Director’s Corner

NEC-63 Denver Meeting Notes

Next Meeting

Director's Corner

by Olan D. Forker

The National Institute for Commodity Promotion Research and Evaluation (NICPRE) is currently funded by a special grant from Congress and the USDA. While still in our first year of operation, we are off to a good start. Eighteen different projects are underway at eight different universities. When completed, each of the projects will contribute to a better understanding of the economics of domestic or export promotion programs. We hope and plan to continue with more projects of interest and value to the promotion industry and policy makers.

NICPRE evolved out of NEC-63 (the Committee on Commodity Promotion Research). After ten years as Chairman of NEC-63, it was my pleasure, at the Denver meeting, to turn the chairman's job over to John Nichols of Texas A&M. John has served as an efficient and supportive Vice Chairman since almost the beginning. He will do a superb job of maintaining momentum in the growth and evolution of NEC-63. Heny Kinnucan of Auburn University was elected Vice Chair. Henry has served as a very well organized and enthusiastic Secretary-Treasurer since 1985. He has a creative mind and is a very productive researcher; he will be a major player in continuing to improve the value and professional image of NEC-63. Taking Henry's place as Secretary-Treasurer is Harry Kaiser of Cornell University. He will provide all of the administrative support for NEC-63 in an effective manner. Harry also serves as Associate Director of NICPRE. As a group interested in quality research and evaluation efforts and effective promotion programs, we hope to maintain a synergistic relationship betwen NEC-63 and NICPRE.

NEC-63 will hold its twenty-first meeting at the Hilton Hotel in Sacramento, California, October 5 and 6, 1995. The first day of this meeting will focus on evaluation of mandatory commodity promotion programs. The second day of this meeting will focus on new methodologies for promotion evaluation.

If you have questions or need information about commodity promotion program evaluation, please contact us.