Introducing the PR team: Calli Jo Smith & Taylor Werdel

Periscope’s point-people on cotton seed, diversified, Engenia® herbicide and more

A good story always starts with the right conversation. Periscope is the PR agency partner for BASF Agricultural Solutions, and aims to jump start and navigate the conversations that growers care about. When those discussions turn to cotton seed, diversified and Engenia® herbicide, Calli Jo Smith and Taylor Werdel step in to help amplify those stories.

 

Calli Jo Smith
What is your title?
I am a senior account manager and can be reached at csmith@periscope.com.

 

What crop divisions do you work on for BASF?
I work on the cotton seed, Engenia and the diversified (cotton, rice, wheat) crop portfolio.

 

What university did you graduate from?
University of Minnesota — Twin Cities, with a major in Agricultural Education: Leadership and Communications, and a minor in Mass Communications.

 

How long have you been working in PR?
I’ve been working in PR for the last five years.

 

What are your favorite hobbies?
Hand lettering, listening to 90’s punk pop music, camping or hiking in Minnesota State Parks, watching beauty bloggers on YouTube and exploring local coffee shops; just to name a few.

 

What’s a fun fact about you?
I have won not just one, but two hula hooping competitions.

 

Taylor Werdel
What is your title?

I am an associate account manager for both public relations and social media. I can be reached at twerdel@periscope.com.

 

What crop divisions do you work on for BASF?
I currently work on the diversified crop division, while also supporting our social media efforts from an overall Ag Solutions perspective.

 

What university did you graduate from?
Hamline University. I have a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Media Arts, with minors in Management and Brand Marketing.

 

How long have you been working in PR?
I dabbled in PR earlier on in my career and assisted in managing strategic communications for three years. Since then, I’ve explored marketing, social media management and content strategy for two years before returning to the PR realm in 2018.

 

What are your favorite hobbies?
I’m a creative type, so drawing, photography and graphic design are among my top choices for time-wasting. I am an avid reader and board game enthusiast. Challenge me to a game of Ticket To Ride. I dare you.

 

What’s a fun fact about you?
I’m allergic to pumpkins and squash. So, it’s probably a good thing I don’t have to deal with those much in diversified.

 

Always read and follow label directions.
Engenia is a registered trademark of BASF.
© 2019 BASF Corporation. All rights reserved.

 

About BASF’s Agricultural Solutions division
With a rapidly growing population, the world is increasingly dependent on our ability to develop and maintain sustainable agriculture and healthy environments. Working with farmers, agricultural professionals, pest management experts and others, it is our role to help make this possible. That’s why we invest in a strong R&D pipeline and broad portfolio, including seeds and traits, chemical and biological crop protection, soil management, plant health, pest control and digital farming. With expert teams in the lab, field, office and in production, we connect innovative thinking and down-to-earth action to create real world ideas that work – for farmers, society and the planet. In 2018, our division generated sales of €6.2 billion. For more information, please visit www.agriculture.basf.com or any of our social media channels.

 

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry for a sustainable future. We combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. The approximately 122,000 employees in the BASF Group work on contributing to the success of our customers in nearly all sectors and almost every country in the world. Our portfolio is organized into six segments: Chemicals, Materials, Industrial Solutions, Surface Technologies, Nutrition & Care and Agricultural Solutions. BASF generated sales of around €63 billion in 2018. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchange in Frankfurt (BAS) and as American Depositary Receipts (BASFY) in the U.S. Further information at www.basf.com.