AT JUST 26 years of age Jake Kennedy has managed to go from being a trainee to territory sales and branch manager with Elders. He is now also the latest winner of the ALPA Fairfax Media Agency Award.
Mr Kennedy works out of the Elders Clermont branch in Queensland, which is a far cry from the Central Tablelands of NSW where he grew up.
But Mr Kennedy is known for his drive to get the job done and some colleagues have said this drive for success is infectious.
He’s worked hard during his time at Clermont to use technology and social media to drive rapid growth, sales and profit for the business.
It’s also one of the qualities that caught the eye of the judges during the interview for the ALPA Fairfax Media Agency Award.
Mr Kennedy was the Queensland finalist for the award and managed to impress the judges and take out the national prize.
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The award was judged last Friday during the Australian Livestock and Property Agents Association annual general meeting in Sydney.
It recognises excellence in agency marketing for people who have been in the agency industry for less than a decade.
The award is not just open to livestock agents, it also encompasses those working in property, wool, merchandise, agronomy and insurance.
That’s why Mr Kennedy win is such a huge achievement – the exceptional quality of the entries in this year’s competition, both at state and national level, covered such a wide range of skill sets.
Fairfax Media livestock channel manager, Brett Tindal, was one of three judges who interviewed the finalists and determined the national winner.
“The judging of the award this year was extremely hard,” Mr Tindal said.
“The candidates had very strong attributes, and we as judges really see a future for them in this industry.”
The prize includes the Mike Nixon Shield for Excellence in Marketing and a fully paid trip to the 2019 Calgary Stampede, compliments of Quadrant Ag Tours. Mr Kennedy will join the 2019 ALPA National Young Auctioneer on the tour.
Mr Kennedy said he was surprised to win the award.
“I did not think about going for the award myself, however many people pushed me the right way, and encouraged me to keep going,” he said.
“I would like to thank Elders for everything they have done for me throughout my career.
“I would also like to thank ALPA, Fairfax Media and the judges for this great award.”
The nomination process assesses a candidate’s expertise, largely focusing on innovative marketing, industry awareness, business relations and ethical behaviour and presentation and elocution, all imperative qualities of a well-rounded marketing professional.
The ALPA Fairfax Media Agency Award was inaugurated in 2005 following the untimely death of Mike Nixon, Victorian Stock and Land rural journalist and livestock commentator.
