SAN FRANCISCO – Elevations Credit Union was awarded the Diamond Best of Show Award – the highest honor in the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council’s Diamond Awards competition – during the Council’s annual meeting here.
Boulder, Colo.-based Elevations Credit Union was selected from more than 1,210 entries, with six CUs winning Best of Show Awards, 60 winning Category’s Best Awards and 253 winning Diamond Awards.
Elevations CU was honored for its Elevations Commitment to Fort Collins campaign.
“By speaking of their strengths to a new market using proof points about size, market share, readers’ polls, mortgage strength and a variety of awards, Elevations CU built brand awareness by talking about what they believed in rather than what they sell. By displaying their ‘Commitment to Fort Collins, Elevations CU emphasized their connection to the community and were extremely successful in creating excitement and engagement,” the CUNA Marketing Council said.
Other 2018 Best of Show honorees included:
Color Award for Brilliant Use of Art: The Summit FCU in Rochester, N.Y., was awarded the Color Award for Brilliant Use of Art for their Color Your Future campaign. “To emphasize the individual and beautiful nature of transformation during their annual report, The Summit FCU presented it as an adult coloring book. This showed members visually how they provide a framework of products and services while allowing the members to customize each to their individual needs. As no two people are alike, neither are their financial needs.”
Cut Award for Most Edgy: Tulsa FCU in Tulsa, Okla., won for its HELOC'd it on.....Most Edgy entry. “After introducing a new HELOC product in Q2 2017, most branches of Tulsa FCU were uncomfortable talking about these loans, creating additional pressure on marketing to be creative in their awareness campaigns and encourage online application. Tulsa FCU came up with the inventive solution of changing the word HELOC into a verb, ‘HELOC’d,’ to create a workable call to action as opposed to ‘apply now’ or “get your loan rate”. This created awareness for the product in a way that resonated with member lifestyles and what they could do with HELOC.”
Clarity Award for Most Sentimental: Listerhill CU in Muscle Shoals, Ala., won for its Listerhill Cares – Sheffield VFW Post 8640 video. “After uncovering a particularly important and moving story during a sponsorship request for Sheffield VFW Post 8640, a post helping veterans find housing, apply for benefits, get counseling, and adjust to civilian life, Listerhill CU decided to set up a video interview to share their story after donating $5,000. After one month, the video reached a total of 8,227 people and Listerhill CU proved their dedication to going above and beyond monetary contribution by providing extraordinary donations, a team of volunteer help and social media awareness for a worthy cause.”
Carat Award for Greatest Impact: Houston Metropolitan FCU in Houston, Tex., won for its Hurricane Harvey Member Outreach. “After the City of Houston was hit extremely hard by Hurricane Harvey this past August, many of Houston Metropolitan FCU’s members lost everything. With $52,000 in hurricane assistance grants, low payment disaster recovery personal loans, auto replacement loans, waived ATM fees, skipped payments, and grief counseling, Houston Metropolitan stepped up and proved their commitment to their community.”
Best Use of Humor Award: Tulsa FCU in Tulsa, Okla., also won in this category for its HELOC'd it on.....Humor entry.
“These credit unions represent the best and brightest in marketing and business development,” said Amber Scott, chair of the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council’s Diamond Awards Committee and VP Marketing & Communications at 1st MidAmerica CU. “Their inventive, passionate and exciting initiatives inspire us to take chances, be bold and try new and untested approaches.”
A complete list of award winners is available online at www.cunacouncils.org/awards.