Credit Union Journal has always had a strong digital presence but even I was surprised to see the growth numbers for the first half of 2014. During this period, pageviews at
In just the month of June, CU Journal's pageviews were up by nearly 60% vs. June 2013.
This impressive online growth goes part and parcel with Credit Union Journal's renewed focus on the digital marketplace. In the last nine months, CU Journal has also made significant strides increasing its social media presence on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
Our popular "Day in the Life" feature, will be expanded into the digital realm this year, with credit unions across the nation encouraged to submit photos of what their institution is doing on Aug. 13 via Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. (This special report is scheduled for publication on Oct. 13, as Credit Union Journal's tribute to International Credit Union Week.)
We are especially looking forward to producing a bigger and more substantial "Day in the Life" feature this year with hundreds of credit unions getting recognized in this much-anticipated special report. Stay tuned for more information on how to get your CU's photos in the mix.
In other news, I regret that I must report Frank J. Diekmann, who founded the publication in 1997 and served as its editor and publisher for many years, resigned earlier this month to pursue other interests.
During his time with CU Journal, Diekmann helped grow the newsweekly from scratch to the industry-leading publication it is today with an average BPA-audited print circulation of over 8,000 subscribers and from No. 5 to No. 1 in advertising marketshare.
Starting a new publication from the ground up is no easy feat. The vast majority of business start-ups fail within five years.
But CU Journal didn't.
We hit the ground running, kicking off that very first issue with an iconic photo of First Entertainment FCU CEO Charles Bruen, wading in the Pacific Ocean, holding his laptop. (Only Diekmann could have talked a credit union executive into literally testing the waters for a fledgling publication.)
In 1998, CU Journal was sold to Faulkner & Gray. (Through a series of corporate incarnations, the publication is now owned by SourceMedia Inc.)
After the sale, Diekmann was named editor and co-publisher. He was then named publisher and editor in 2007 with responsibility for all aspects of publication.
With the web still very much in its infancy, the publication had the foresight to create its own website. And not long after that, CU Journal introduced its popular "Daily Briefing" e-mail news alert, a must-read starting point of the day for credit union executives across the nation.
It's an interesting industry fact that Diekmann also had a hand in the creation of another credit union publication. He co-founded Credit Union Times in 1990.
Before focusing on credit unions, Diekmann covered the nation's banking and thrift industries for five years, and prior to that worked as a sports reporter in Cincinnati.
The best tribute we can offer Diekmann is to build upon the publication's success. To that end, CU Journal is not only continuing its most popular features, but will also seek to improve upon them — online and in print — as well as create new ones.
I look forward to it all.
Editor in Chief Marian Raab can be reached at:
