07/28/2010

There actually IS meat on bacon!

By Nala Henkel

Most of you have probably seen that Cheryl and I have thrown our collective hat in the ring to be the CU Water Cooler Symposium WildCard Speaker.

When you work in marketing and advertising, surrounded by fun co-workers and fun clients, on an incredibly fun and innovative product (Young & Free) it's hard not to let that spill over into contest entry for a wildcard speaker’s spot (as evidenced by our most recent campaign video).

But we want to clarify something—our presentation isn't going to focus on funny videos and bacon, it's going to delve into research we are doing with Gen Y'ers in regards to their use of social media platforms.

We are asking a cross section of young people across North America about:
• Which platforms they use
• What they actually use them for
• What they would never use them for
• And how they perceive businesses interjecting in those spaces

(just to name a few)

We will be compiling these results and sharing 3 practical ways that Credit Unions can take this information and implement a social media strategy in these spaces that will be relevant and get results.

So here’s what you need to know: yes, half of us are young and both of us are silly, but we're going to deliver a fun presentation that will leave the audience with some insight into how Gen Y is actually using social media and share information on how credit unions can get involved and get bottom line results.

We’re really excited to have a conversation about this, and if you are too, you can vote for us here:

http://www.cuwatercoolersymposium.com/vote/

Voting closes Friday at 2pm PT.

All the best,

Nala (and Cheryl)

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03/11/2009

BECU's new TV spots: smart, hip and meaningful

By Tim McAlpine

We Canadians tend to consume a lot of American TV! Lately, I've noticed a very regular stream of BECU commercials flowing my way on  KING-TV, the Washington state NBC affiliate.

Here are a couple in the series.
 
 

"Can Do"

"Right Side Up"

I think these ads are spot on and promote the "safe and sound" message perfectly. Fast-paced, catchy music and a strong message. They definitely cut through.

I also really like the straight forward call to action: "We are BECU, join us."

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02/18/2009

United Federal stands up, takes matters into its own hands and says "We're different and you can trust us"

By Tim McAlpine 

 
Michigan's United Federal Credit Union isn't sitting back and waiting for the new members to find them, they are taking a stand and have launched their own PR campaign. This is from United Federal's interactive press release.

"While Congress continues to pour billions into a bailout stimulus plan for the banking sector as a solution for economic recovery, alternative financial institutions like United Federal Credit Union (UFCU) are standing up and speaking out about being another resolution to the financial crisis, and an institution that Americans can trust."

United Federal is not beating around the bush! Nicely done. More credit unions should step up and get their good name out this way.

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08/17/2008

Thank you!

By Tim McAlpine

This past week was filled with emotion.

Absolute glee: We launched Young & Free Texas with TDECU.

Extreme disappointment: Discovering something that will challenge our new client.

Humbled beyond belief: Watching a passionate group of people come to our defense.

The social web and the underlying credit union community is an amazing place filled with really good people.

Thank you.

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07/15/2008

Credit unions can use large-scale collaboration to cut to the chase and cut through the excuses.

By Tim McAlpine

I've read a couple of good posts lately extolling the advantages of large-scale collaboration in the credit union space.

• Jim Jerving on the NACUSO blog: Credit Unions are Slow to Innovate
• George Hofheimer on the Open Source CU blog: Leave it to Beaver

These posts reminded that I neglected to report on my Member Gateways experience where I was exposed to some amazing large-scale collaboration actually taking place! What's Member Gateways? Here is a description from its website:

Member Gateways is the credit union industry's networked new product incubator Owned by 24 progressive credit unions and one strategic industry partner, Member Gateways provides the opportunity and means for all credit unions to offer the products and services typically afforded only to mega-sized financial services institutions. Through our combined solutions, partnerships, intellectual properties, strategic CUSO investments and financial service partnerships, we expect to transform and revolutionize the credit union industry.

 
I was invited by Vic Pantea and Deb Jones from Member Gateways to present the Young & Free story at the their semi-annual meeting in mid-June in San Antonio. Although it was a relatively small crowd compared to some that I have been speaking to, it was intimidating to present to more than 40 progressive senior credit union leaders. 

 
The best part of this opportunity for me was that I was allowed to attend the entire two-day session and see one presentation after another about cool things that Member Gateways' credit union partners are considering or already have in the cooker. Most of it was private, but I can tell you that it was impressive and extremely encouraging to see real innovation on its way to market. And by credit unions no less!

There are a lot of voices here in the CU blogosphere that are frustrated about the lack of innovation in the credit union space. I have definitely been one of those voices from time to time. Meanwhile, here is a group of very powerful US credit union leaders quietly implementing fresh innovations at their credit unions. They are just getting it done and it was inspiring to learn about these stories.

A silly side story

One highlight that I can share (I think) is about Zopa. Three of the six founding credit union partners in Zopa US are Member Gateways credit unions, so Scott Pitts, Zopa US' Managing Director, was at the meeting to give a progress report on this credit-union-partnered peer-to-peer-lending service.

Zopa is doing really well, but what stuck in my head was an anecdote about one of the most popular members of the Zopa community—the cat guy. Zopa members can choose to offer a very low interest rate to people they feel are most deserving.

After joining one of the six credit unions, members of the Zopa community build out a profile similar to other social networks like Facebook or LinkedIn. The members also write a little bit about what they plan to do with the funds that they want to borrow. And of course, members upload a profile picture to put a face to their name. Well the cat guy, who is paying one of the lowest interest rates on the site, is popular because he regularly updates his profile picture with one of the latest funny LOLCAT images (click here if you don't know what LOLCATS are).

While that silly side story has nothing to do with large-scale collaboration, it is the only story from the meeting that I think I am allowed to tell!

And now back to my point

In order to compete, credit unions needs to innovate. But innovation is often expensive and innovation often takes scale. In recent times, credit unions have turned to merging to get that scale. But mergers can be messy and expensive and quite often stall innovation for an extended period of time while the parties try to bring their operations and cultures together.

Large-scale collaboration is a legitimate alternative solution. It allows credit unions to remain smaller and independent, yet allows these credit unions to share, cooperate and, most importantly, innovate. If you are not involved in collaborating with other like-minded credit unions, it's time to get started.

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06/28/2008

Shout out: You Belong at Premier.

By Tim McAlpine

I am excited that more and more credit unions are embracing the social web with initiatives that differentiate their organizations.

Case in point, Colorado's Premier Members Federal Credit Union has launched a new microsite complete with videos and a blog. The site is called You Belong At Premier.

It is smart, simple and very personal. The member videos that have been transformed into professional TV commercials are great. The production value, animation and fresh look is awesome.

Well done Premier!

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06/25/2008

First Entertainment: I laughed, I cried, I wanted to open a checking account!

By Tim McAlpine

But sadly I can't open a checking account at First Entertainment Credit Union. I'm not in the biz. The entertainment business, that is. And that's the point. By knowing who their audience is, First Entertainment has created an exceptional brand experience taylored to a very select group.

Southern California's First Entertainment Credit Union has launched a new website. In a brilliant switcheroo, they posted a teaser microsite on the Internet (which I blogged about last week) that left everyone guessing what a Brit, a Startlet and a Surfer had to do with a credit union. Who knew the answer was everything.

In a similar vein to Coast Capital Savings' popular website greeter, Julie, First Entertainment has created a credit union web experience that surpasses the mundain and leaps wildly into the entertainingly helpful.

I watched all of the audition videos and was finally swayed by the Brit's awesome movie idea. The Brit is now my personal website assistant, always there to answer any question I may have as I navigate the new site. Sorry Starlet and Surfer, you were tied for second.

It sure pays off when you can narrowly define who your audience is. This enables you to build a brand experience that is irresistable.

Web usability expert, Jacob Neilsen, might question the excessive use of Flash, but in this case, I relish the excess. Nice work and congratulations to everyone involved. You all deserve Oscars.

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06/17/2008

Three doses of new credit union online coolness

By Tim McAlpine

Here's a shout out to three credit unions that are innovating online.

First Entertainment's The Audition microsite

Southern California's First Entertainment Credit Union is about to launch a new microsite on June 23, 2008. From the looks of the teaser intro, this is not your basic amateur web video production. It features beautifully produced video with an intriguing storyline brought to life by terrific actors. I can't wait to follow this site after the official launch.

I am big fan of First Entertainment's marketing initiatives. This is one credit union that really knows its field of membership! Considering that these members are from the entertainment business including movie studios, ad agencies and creative firms involved in radio, film, Internet and television, its no surprise that the marketing output of this credit union is wildly entertaining!

Addison Avenue's new youth-centered Addison Cafe microsite

Next up is a fresh new microsite from Northern California's Addison Avenue Credit Union. As one of the founding Zopa US partners, Addison Avenue is no stranger to innovation. This is how Addison Avenue describes its new online venture, "Designed with young adults in mind. The site has products relevant to the needs of that age group and even has a blog that discusses finances in a relevant, real-life way."

America First adds product ratings and reviews to its website

Michigan's (whoops!) Utah's America First Credit Union is the first financial institution that I have run across that has added product ratings and reviews to its website. This is brilliant! Obviously, America First has taken a page out of the playbook of successful online retailers such as Amazon and Apple. This is a brave direct feedback loop that other credit unions are unlikely to follow right away. I can hear the collective credit union masses gasping as they think to themselves, "What if we get a low rating or a bad review on one of our products?"

I bet the folks at America First are thinking, "If we get a bad review, we'll just have to improve our products and services."

Doug True from FORUM Solutions had an excellent guest post on Open Source CU yesterday calling out risk-adverse credit unions. I agree with Doug, but I am also encouraged by these fresh examples and others that I stumble upon daily.

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05/22/2008

Part 3 of The Difference completes the perfect set!

By Tim McAlpine

Larissa Walkiw has just published The Difference Between Banks and Credit Unions – Part 3 on the Young & Free Alberta blog. I posted Part 1 here and Part 2 here on our blog to help these videos get seen by as many people as possible.

 

These three videos convey all of the many reasons that I believe in credit unions. This is brilliant work created by a talented young woman as she discovers for herself what makes credit unions special.

It's like being a kid in a candy store for me: I get to log into our content management system the night before and see what Larissa has waiting in the queue for tomorrow. She has created 103 amazing blog posts in under four months including this brilliant series.

Larissa, thanks for putting your heart and talent into your work. With this three-part series now complete, you have created the most approachable, infinitely memorable and easily understood credit union educational series ever. The ultimate credit union trilogy. Your impact will be talked about for years to come.

Keep up the great work!

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04/30/2008

Shout out: Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union and its 7 Principles microsite.

By Tim McAlpine

Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union is the latest credit union to utilize YouTube video to tell its story. SMCU has a new microsite that highlights the seven cooperative principles that define the credit union difference.

The site is simple, fun, entertaining, educational and real. I also like how SMCU is using the lefthand side of the site to sell its Feel Good Checking Account. It's a great offer that is featured prominently without being overtly pushy.

I have two suggestions to make the experience even better.

1. Consider enlarging the video to the 425 pixel wide YouTube default. The current size is very small and considering all of the effort that went into making the videos, why not maximize the experience?
2. Add a way for visitors to interact with the site. A blog or a guest book would make the site more sticky and would encourage site visitors to return on a regular basis.

Nice job, Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union—welcome to the social web!

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