During its Nexus Conference here, CUES presented its annual Golden Mirror marketing awards.
Winners of the GMA Phil Davies Memorial "Best of Show" award were Chad Hunter, VP/marketing and Michael Duffy, CEO, Financial Center CU in Stockton, Calif. Taking home the GMA Rookie of the Year honor was Jenny Laudadio, marketing director with United Heritage CU in Austin, Texas, while the GMA Golden Shoestring award was presented to Dana Tell, VP-marketing, Team One Credit Union in Saginaw, Mich.
Financial Center Credit Union was honored for its successful "Monster Loan" campaign, which exceeded its marketing goal by 155% and resulted in a 3,800% return on investment. The campaign featured a wide variety of pieces-from retail displays, direct mail and advertising to eye-catching "graffiti" made with aerosol chalk and placed on the credit union's sidewalks and parking lots-to create a truly unified effort.
Rookie of the Year award winner Laudadio was responsible for developing membership kits for United Heritage Credit Union into packets that included well-organized information designed to increase awareness in United Heritage's overall offerings, and to educate members on the credit union's ability to serve as a primary financial institution. The campaign exceeded its marketing goal by 18.75%, according to CUES.
The GMA Golden Shoestring award is bestowed upon one entry produced on a limited budget which showcases exceptional results and outstanding creativity.
Team One's entry was a 60-second radio spot, "Savings Singing," designed to increase savings deposits. The ad, which was created for just over $9,000, exceeded its marketing goal by 18.4%.
