SAN DIEGO – A few well-placed Gnus have helped North Island Credit Union meet a few more neighbors and vice-versa. Targeting new residents and new homeowners having relocated within a three-mile radius of each branch office, North Island CU sent `Gnu’ to the neighborhood?” direct mail pieces with special offers on interest-only home equity lines of credit and auto loans while spreading the “gnus” on its signature Island Checking. “Our research showed us that one-and-one-half to two months after moving, people may be rethinking their primary financial institution,” said North Island Assistant Vice President of Marketing Kelli Cole. “We took advantage of that window of opportunity to offer the credit union difference to our new neighbors.” As for how they selected their “ambassadors,” Cole credits brainstorming sessions. “The creative development was a fun play on words: new gnu; news, gnus. It was just off-the-wall enough to cause people to pay attention but on target with our Island Advantage messaging,” said Cole. “Gnus are very funny looking animals, but they worked well posed to mimic the famous `American Gothic’ by Grant Wood.” An initial mailing of the recent marketing campaign featuring the unique animals has brought in more than 60 new accounts to the credit union. According to Cole, so far the new member return on marketing investment is a $1 return above and beyond each $1 spent and since the creative costs have been absorbed she expects future mailings to produce an even higher return. San Diego is the nation’s 17th most populated metropolitan area and new home construction throughout the county has been booming to keep up with the growth.

Complete your profile to continue reading and get FREE access to CUTimes.com, part of your ALM digital membership.

Your access to unlimited CUTimes.com content isn’t changing.
Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Critical CUTimes.com information including comprehensive product and service provider listings via the Marketplace Directory, CU Careers, resources from industry leaders, webcasts, and breaking news, analysis and more with our informative Newsletters.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and CU Times events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including Law.com and GlobeSt.com.

Already have an account?


NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

Dig Deeper

Credit Union Times

Join Credit Union Times

Don’t miss crucial strategic and tactical information necessary to run your institution and better serve your members. Join Credit Union Times now!

  • Free unlimited access to Credit Union Times' trusted and independent team of experts for extensive industry news, conference coverage, people features, statistical analysis, and regulation and technology updates.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and Credit Union Times events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including TreasuryandRisk.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join Credit Union Times

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.