USMEF-Japan Web Site Generates Internet Buzz
USMEF-Japan Web Site Generates Internet Buzz
Recent upgrades to the USMEF-Japan consumer Web site – combined with an endorsement by an influential “power blogger” – have made the site a must-see destination for thousands of Japanese housewives every day.
While the USMEF-Japan consumer site has always been a popular spot for women seeking information about U.S. beef and pork, locations where the products are sold at retail, and delicious new recipe ideas, the site has been expanded with a number of new features that are drawing added viewers.
Catering to Japan’s Internet-savvy consumer, USMEF also has developed a special mobile Web site that consumers can use to link to recipes on the USMEF Web site merely by scanning advertisements or packaging with embedded links.
USMEF-Japan was involved in a special screening of the movie “Julie and Julia” in Japan earlier this month, and one of Japan’s influential food bloggers wrote about a USMEF special event that demonstrated preparation techniques of the beef Bourgogne dish that was served in the movie, sparking greater awareness of the USMEF site: http://www.americanmeat.jp/index.html
An advertisement developed by USMEF that featured an endorsement of U.S. beef by highly regarded chef Zenyoji of the renowned Hotel Okura in Tokyo has also drawn added attention to USMEF and its Web site.
“I always read the (USMEF) recipe page,” wrote one Web site visitor earlier this month. “Especially this time because YOME-chan’s (top Japanese food blogger) is on the USMEF homepage. I have bookmarked the USMEF homepage.”
On a typical day in recent months, the USMEF-Japan consumer Web site would attract visitors who viewed 2,000 pages of content related to U.S. beef and pork. That number has jumped to more than 13,000 with the added visibility and changes in the site’s content.
“We receive feedback from consumers who value the kind of information we offer on our Web site about U.S. beef and pork,” said Tazuko Hijikata, senior manager of Consumer Affairs for USMEF-Japan. “The recipes are an extremely popular feature, and the programs we are running that expose the food industry power bloggers – those whose blogs draw 5,000 or more visitors per day – to U.S. red meat are helping to spread the news about the quality and versatility of these products.”
In addition to continually updated recipes, consumers will find food safety and nutritional information on U.S. beef and pork, photos and descriptions of life in the American West, and notice of USMEF special events in Japan.
The Web site is supplemented by a magazine, “American Meat Café,” that is distributed monthly to people who subscribe through the USMEF Web site. The magazine reinforces many of the elements of the Web site, providing recipes, restaurant information, discussions about seasonings that go well with U.S. beef and pork and other details.
“Both U.S. pork and beef have a very dedicated following in Japan,” said Hijikata. “U.S. pork is the No. 1 choice among all imported pork. And U.S. beef is extremely popular even though access remains limited. As consumers learn more and have the opportunity to sample these products, they will return to our Web site for new and creative recipes to prepare meals for their families.”
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The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.
USMEF-Japan Web Site Generates Internet Buzz
Recent upgrades to the USMEF-Japan consumer Web site – combined with an endorsement by an influential “power blogger” – have made the site a must-see destination for thousands of Japanese housewives every day.
While the USMEF-Japan consumer site has always been a popular spot for women seeking information about U.S. beef and pork, locations where the products are sold at retail, and delicious new recipe ideas, the site has been expanded with a number of new features that are drawing added viewers.
Catering to Japan’s Internet-savvy consumer, USMEF also has developed a special mobile Web site that consumers can use to link to recipes on the USMEF Web site merely by scanning advertisements or packaging with embedded links.
USMEF-Japan was involved in a special screening of the movie “Julie and Julia” in Japan earlier this month, and one of Japan’s influential food bloggers wrote about a USMEF special event that demonstrated preparation techniques of the beef Bourgogne dish that was served in the movie, sparking greater awareness of the USMEF site: http://www.americanmeat.jp/index.html
An advertisement developed by USMEF that featured an endorsement of U.S. beef by highly regarded chef Zenyoji of the renowned Hotel Okura in Tokyo has also drawn added attention to USMEF and its Web site.
“I always read the (USMEF) recipe page,” wrote one Web site visitor earlier this month. “Especially this time because YOME-chan’s (top Japanese food blogger) is on the USMEF homepage. I have bookmarked the USMEF homepage.”
On a typical day in recent months, the USMEF-Japan consumer Web site would attract visitors who viewed 2,000 pages of content related to U.S. beef and pork. That number has jumped to more than 13,000 with the added visibility and changes in the site’s content.
“We receive feedback from consumers who value the kind of information we offer on our Web site about U.S. beef and pork,” said Tazuko Hijikata, senior manager of Consumer Affairs for USMEF-Japan. “The recipes are an extremely popular feature, and the programs we are running that expose the food industry power bloggers – those whose blogs draw 5,000 or more visitors per day – to U.S. red meat are helping to spread the news about the quality and versatility of these products.”
In addition to continually updated recipes, consumers will find food safety and nutritional information on U.S. beef and pork, photos and descriptions of life in the American West, and notice of USMEF special events in Japan.
The Web site is supplemented by a magazine, “American Meat Café,” that is distributed monthly to people who subscribe through the USMEF Web site. The magazine reinforces many of the elements of the Web site, providing recipes, restaurant information, discussions about seasonings that go well with U.S. beef and pork and other details.
“Both U.S. pork and beef have a very dedicated following in Japan,” said Hijikata. “U.S. pork is the No. 1 choice among all imported pork. And U.S. beef is extremely popular even though access remains limited. As consumers learn more and have the opportunity to sample these products, they will return to our Web site for new and creative recipes to prepare meals for their families.”
# # #
The U.S. Meat Export Federation (www.USMEF.org) is the trade association responsible for developing international markets for the U.S. red meat industry and is funded by USDA, exporting companies, and the beef, pork, corn and soybean checkoff programs.
For more information, contact Jim Herlihy at jherlihy@usmef.org.
USMEF complies with all equal opportunity, non-discrimination and affirmative action measures applicable to it by contract, government rule or regulation or as otherwise provided by law.