(UK/US) Wyke Farms uses Facebook to launch online strategy with ‘Free Cheese for Life’ competition

UK’s largest independent cheese producer brings their traditional, family-run operation into the modern world of Web 2.0

Austin, Texas / Somerset, England – April 7, 2009 – Wyke Farms, the UK’s largest independent cheese producer and milk processor, has become the first British cheese maker to utilize social media and Web 2.0 as part of their communications strategy. In order to kick off their ongoing social media program, the company launched an official Wyke Farms Page on Facebook earlier this year, which has already attracted more than 500 members worldwide to-date. In addition, this Friday, April 10, Wyke Farms will give away a lifetime’s supply of their award-winning gourmet Farmhouse Cheddar to one lucky Wyke Farms fan club member.

Owned and operated by the same family for more than 100 years, Wyke Farms is known for their long-standing traditional values and practices, including staying true to the family’s original recipe developed by Ivy Clothier in 1902. Richard Clothier, Managing Director and third-generation family member at Wyke Farms, believes that integrating social media into their communications plan and building the company’s presence online will help Wyke Farms connect with consumers on a more global scale, including the United States, as well as support the traditional methods the company is still very committed to, such as print and broadcast advertising in the UK.

“Although we’re still very much committed to the traditional values that reflect our family’s brand and approach to cheese making, we welcome the opportunity to initiate an open two-way dialogue with consumers – regardless of their geography – that modern practices like social media, such as Facebook, provide us,” added Clothier. “Our fan club members, who span the globe from the US to Asia, have posted some fascinating comments about our cheddar, which is apparently very popular with cats and dogs!”

Wyke Farms has been producing its award-winning cheddar for over a century and has grown to become the largest family-owned cheese maker in Britain, selling over 14,000 tonnes annually. The company has achieved substantial growth year-on-year by staying true to the traditional values behind the brand, and has become the fastest growing cheddar brand at a rate of 95%, reflecting an increasing consumer interest in provenance.

Wyke Farms cheese and butter products are available nationwide in the UK and can be found in Asda, Co-op, Makro, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, Somerfield, Tesco and Waitrose.

For a full listing of where to buy Wyke Farms farmhouse cheddar and butter in the United States, please email info@wykefarms.com.

www.wykefarms.com

Tags: Facebook, UK, US

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