Here's New One.....The Official Tractor

 

MASSEY FERGUSON^® BECOMES THE "OFFICIAL TRACTOR" OF RODNEY ATKINS FOR 2011 

Country Music Star Rodney Atkins teams with Massey Ferguson tractors

 

Nashville, TN (February 23, 2011) — The songs of Rodney Atkins’ ( www.rodneyatkins.com) speak of the endurance of the working class, the unassuming folks who make up the fabric of America. The man whom penned the song, “Man on a Tractor,” shares those same fundamental ideals with a company that boasts more tractors on the job worldwide than any other brand.

 

In 2011, Massey Ferguson^® ( www.masseyferguson.com) will proudly be the “official tractor” of Rodney Atkins. A platinum-album-producing star who earned the Academy of Country Music’s Top New Male Vocalist award in 2006, Atkins recorded five Number One hits that year including “If You’re Going Through Hell.” His latest hit “Farmer’s Daughter” is a chart favorite. He has toured with the likes of Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Martina McBride and ZZ Top. The partnership between this native of a small town in East Tennessee and a tractor brand steeped in traditional rural values is a perfect fit.

 

“I’ve never been one to stray far from my roots on the farm,” said Atkins. “And hard work and love of the land are a big part of that. I was raised with a love and devotion for this country and the principles it was founded upon. I’m proud to share the stage with a brand like Massey Ferguson that embodies those same core values.” (www.youtube.com/user/agcocorp?feature=mhum#p/c/0/eJUWJvxL_q4)

 

Throughout the year, Atkins will be involved in activities ranging from national advertising to dealer tie-ins, social media campaigns, contests and national Farm Shows bringing this ball-cap-donning “regular guy” who just happens to rack up a slew of country hits among the hardworking farmers who share his ideals. One of his first projects is “ Rodney Atkins' Official Tractor: Massey Ferguson” ( www.youtube.com/user/agcocorp?feature=mhum#p/c/0/eJUWJvxL_q4) a new YouTube music video where he talks about his ideals.

 

“It is a tremendous honor to have Rodney Atkins as a face of this brand,” said Meghann McNally brand marketing manager for Massey Ferguson. “His songs connect to those close to the land, who take pride in and know the value of a hard-day’s work. Those are the same standards that this company was founded on and the standards by which we work today.”

Massey Ferguson’s commitment to excellence began more than 160 years ago when, in 1847, Daniel Massey began building simple farm implements out of his tool shed in Newcastle, Ontario, Canada. In 1938, his company merged with Harry Ferguson to become Massey Ferguson. Ferguson developed today’s three-point-linkage system to allow tractor and implement to work as an integrated unit. The 3-point hitch, one of many equipment innovations by Massey Ferguson, revolutionized the industry and is still in use after more than 70 years.

 

Massey Ferguson was purchased by AGCO in 1995. Today the company is focused on meeting the needs of all consumers, from the professional farmer to the rural lifestyle consumer. The company recently announced it is bringing manufacturing of its largest row crop tractors, the Massey Ferguson 8600 Series, to North America. This move will help the company better serve the needs of professional farmers here and provide an economic boost to the rural community where the tractors are built.

 

For more information about products from Massey Ferguson, visit your local Massey Ferguson dealer orwww.masseyferguson.com.

 

Massey Ferguson^® is a worldwide brand of AGCO.

 

ABOUT AGCO
AGCO, Your Agriculture Company (NYSE:AGCO), was founded in 1990 and offers a full product line of tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage, tillage equipment, implements and related replacement parts. AGCO agricultural products are sold under the core brands of Challenger^®, Fendt^®, Massey Ferguson^® and Valtra^®, and are distributed globally through 2,600 independent dealers and distributors, in more than 140 countries worldwide. Retail financing is available through AGCO Finance. AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA. In 2010, AGCO had net sales of $6.9 billion. Please visit our website at www.AGCOcorp.com.

 

ABOUT RODNEY ATKINS:

Curb Records recording artist Rodney Atkins has been successfully leading the country music charts and selling albums since his career began in 2006 when he hit the scene with his first number one, “If You’re Going Through Hell,” which was also the Number One Country Song of the Year according to Billboard in 2006. The East Tennessee native has recorded three studio albums, Honesty, If You’re Going Through Hell and It’s America and charted seven Top 20 singles including five number one’s: “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “Watching You,” “These Are My People,” “Cleaning This Gun (Come On In),” and “It’s America.”  Atkins’ current single “Farmer’s Daughter” tore up the charts and kept the “buy” button at iTunes steady.

 

Atkins recently released an exclusive album with Cracker Barrel that features four number one hits including “Farmer’s Daughter” and an unreleased song. Atkins was the 2010 spokesman for the National Council for Adoption and is heavily involved within the organization. He was also the 2010 spokesman for the Chevy Silverado. Kraft Velveeta sponsored his “Best Side of Dinner” tour last summer and he was featured as the writer/singer on the national ad campaign for Velveeta Shells and Cheese. For more information on Rodney Atkins, visit  www.rodneyatkins.com.