Who's the best of the best in credit union marketing...  

Find out at MAC's Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony, to be held May 21 - 23, 2008, at the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel & Spa in Newport Beach, CA. We hope to see you there!

Click here for 2008 entry form (pdf)

Click here for the Summary of Results in Word format

AWARD ELIGIBILITY

All credit union marketing-related materials introduced and marketing programs implemented during the 2007 calendar year are eligible. Entries must not have been previously entered in a Marketing Association of Credit Unions (MAC) awards competition. Co-op advertising, in any form, is ineligible.

The competition is open to any credit union, advertising agency, production company, or other organization producing material for a credit union during 2007.

There is no limit to the number of entries that can be submitted. An item can be entered into more than one category, if so qualified. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed Summary of Results form.

Deadline to Enter

Entries Received by March 1, 2008 are eligible for a 15% discount.  The final deadline for entries is March 21, 2008.

AWARD CATEGORIES

All categories are divided into two types: results categories (which are easily tracked) and non-results categories (activities that create a positive marketing environment but which do not readily lend themselves to quantitative tracking).

Results Categories

Activities easily tracked:

• Best Practices: Entry to consist of description, samples and results of campaign or project which is an important part of the marketing plan, achieves good results but the creative process is "canned" or done in a cost-effective manner.                 
• Broadcast and Video: Entry to consist of description, samples, and results of radio, television, and/or video materials broadcast or narrow cast to any audience.
• Business Development: Entry to consist of description, samples, and results of brochures or kits, or description and results of orientation programs, used to increase market penetration of member base by signing up new members and/or soliciting new business (SEGs).                 
• Comprehensive Campaign: To qualify, a minimum of three different media must have been used (e.g. statement stuffer, newsletter, brochure, radio, etc.) with a coordinated theme. Entry to consist of description, samples of all media, and results.
• CUSO Materials: Entry to consist of description, samples and results of brochures produced by your credit union to promote your CUSO products. (Marketing materials produced by CUNA, CUNA Mutual, Plan America, the California/Nevada Credit Union Leagues, or the CUSO vendors are ineligible).
• CUSO Programs: Entry to consist of description of, and samples from, credit union service organization and benefits it provides members.                 
• Direct Mail Letter: Entry to consist of description, sample and results of a single direct mail letter.
• Direct Mail Series: Entry to consist of description, samples and results of all items mailed during a promotional period, exclusive of statement stuffers. (For statement stuffers, see below).                 
• Internal Marketing: Entry to consist of description, samples, and results of your internal marketing program. The program must not have been entered previously. Entry may consist of employee newsletters, marketing-related training programs, incentives, awards, staff parties, posters, and other activities or materials produced by the marketing staff only, for credit union employees, volunteers and elected officers.                 
• Market Segment Program: Entry to consist of description, samples and results of your market segment program. The program must not have been entered previously. This category consists of promotional programs that have a specific target audience, such as seniors, Hispanics, Youth Marketing, etc.
• Newspaper/Magazine Ads: Entry to consist of description, tear sheets/samples, and results of black-and-white and/or color advertisements.
• Non-Agency Materials: Entry to consist of promotional materials that have been developed (concept, copy and design) in-house. (Typesetting, printing, recording, etc. may be from outside suppliers).                 
• Single Direct Mail: Entry to consist of description, samples and results of all items included in one mailing.                 
• Statement Stuffers: To qualify, the piece must have been mailed as a companion to your regular monthly or quarterly statements. Entry to consist of description, samples, and results of promotional or informational statement stuffers. Stuffers may be entered individually, or as a series if they follow one theme.

Non-Results Categories

Activities that create a positive marketing environment but which do not readily lend themselves to quantitative tracking:

• Annual Reports: Entry to consist of your 2006 Annual Report, if it has not been entered previously. The Annual Report must have been available to members by December 31, 2007.                 
• Editorial Public Relations: Editorial media coverage by the print and electronic press that deepens public understanding and acceptance of credit unions. Entry to consist of clipping, 1/2" VHS videocassette, or audiocassette of article, interview, news story or feature placed on behalf of credit union.                 
• Electronic Marketing: Consisting of non-traditional and new technology media including email campaigns, web banners, ATM Marketing Screens and kiosk. Entry to consist of description, available photography and/or example.
• Image Enhancement: Entry to consist of description, samples, available photography, impact of community involvement, annual meetings, grand openings, mixers and other special events. Entry must demonstrate personnel commitment, time and effort by your credit union; strictly monetary gifts or donations will not be considered. Category also includes materials and programs that would typically fall within a results category but that were created and implemented primarily for image enhancement purposes and were not intended to be trackable for results.                 
• Logos: Entry to consist of description and samples of a newly-created logo used by your credit union to support its corporate identity, or the identity of one of its products, services or programs. Include no more than three different samples of logo use.                
• Newsletters: Entry to include the goals and objectives of your credit unions newsletter.  Please submit two (2) consecutive issues per entry.                 
• Outdoor Alternative Media: Consisting of non-traditional media, such as billboards, bus bench and bus ads. Entry to consist of description, available photography and/or example.                 
• Plastic Access Card Design: Entry to consist of description and samples of plastic cards (ATM, credit card, and debit).                
• Point of Sale (POS): Entry to consist of description and samples of POS used by your credit union. Would include lobby displays, kiosks, posters, tent cards, other in-branch merchandising strategies.                 
• Products/Service Brochures: Entry to consist of description and samples of brochures (single or series) that explain your credit unions products and services.  
• Websites: Consisting of non-traditional and new technology media including website design. Entry to consist of description, available photography and/or example.

AWARD ENTRY FEES

Single Medium
                                           MAC Member       Non-Member
Less than $75 million                $50                       $80
$75 million to $200 million         $60                       $95
$201 million to $500 million       $70                       $110
Greater than $500 million          $80                       $125

Comprehensive Campaign
                                           MAC Member       Non-Member
Less than $75 million                $65                       $125
$75 million to $200 million         $75                       $145
$201 million to $500 million       $85                       $165
More than $500 million              $95                       $185

Deadline to Enter

Entries Received by March 1, 2008 are eligible for a 15% discount.  The final deadline for entries is March 21, 2008.

ENTRY RULES

To qualify, entries must comply with all requirements for the competition:

1. Payment of fees must accompany the awards entry form.
2. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed Summary of Results form and must be prepared as specified under Preparation for Entries. Support statistics, results (where applicable) and costs must be included.
3. Each entry must have been created by or for a credit union.
4. There is no limit to the number of entries which can be submitted.
5. Items may be entered in more than one category, if so qualified.
6. Submit one sample of each item in an entry.
7. Each entry may be submitted only once for each category. In the event of duplicate or multiple entries, the entry with the earliest postmark will be the entry judged.
8. Cooperative advertising in any form is ineligible.
9. If a credit union's entry was produced by an advertising agency (including an internal advertising agency), that agency must be listed on the Summary of Results. Similarly, an advertising agency must list the credit union in the Summary of Results. An agency is considered to be any firm or internal department which performs work for companies or credit unions other than the entering credit union.
10. All materials submitted become the property of the Marketing Association of Credit Unions.  By submitting material, you agree that MAC may reproduce copies of your work samples for information-sharing purposes to foster marketing professionalism in the credit union movement. MAC will not grant permission to any third party to reproduce these materials in any way.
11. Photocopy and complete (typed or printed clearly in black ink) one Summary of Results for each entry.  This Summary of Results should be paper-clipped or taped (no staples) to the appropriate entry.  Entries which consist of multiple pieces should have the Summary of Results attached to the back of each piece and should be labeled "1 of 3," etc.  Entries that do not comply with all competition rules will be disqualified without a refund of entry fees.  
12. The asset size division for entries is determined by the CU's asset size as of December 31, 2007.  Entry in two different asset size divisions is not permitted.

PREPARATION OF ENTRIES

1. Complete one Summary of Results form for each entry. Explain the credit union's goals for the promotion/program and describe the specific strategies or steps used to achieve those goals. Use statistics to verify the results (where applicable) and costs. You may attach your own computer-generated Summary of Results form; however, use the same format.
2. Complete one Entry Form for all entries and attach to payment of fees. You may make copies of the form if necessary.
3. All entries are to be mailed with corresponding Summary of Results sheets attached by paper clip or tape (no staples) to the back of each piece of each entry. Please do not mount entries.
4. Each radio, television or video entry must be submitted on a separate, standard audio cassette tape or CD/DVD. A single category entry means just one spot not an entire tape.
5. An 8" x 10" color photograph may be substituted for extra large or specialty items.

SPECIAL MAC MEMBER OFFER

If you are not already a MAC member, you can join MAC and take advantage of the discounted MAC member rates on all award competition entries! You'll also be entitled to an immediate discount on your registration fee for the MAC Conference. Just call MAC at (317) 205-9483 (or email mac@hp-assoc.com), and we'll send you a membership application and sample of our monthly newsletter, MAC Mentionables.