Do You Have What It Takes?
The Marketing Association of Credit Unions (MAC, at your service) knows that successful marketing is a lot tougher than it looks—we all just make it look easy! That’s why we want to highlight and award the marketers who really step up their game and create terrific campaigns with tangible results. If that’s you, check out the MAC Awards categories and judging criteria below and throw your hat in the ring—you never know who could be taking home the coveted MACQUEE Best of Show Award!
The 2023 MAC Awards
The Envelope Please . . .
Have you ever wished there were an Academy Award® for “Best Credit Union”? Us too. That’s why the Marketing Association of Credit Unions (MAC) created the MAC Awards back in 1986—so we could celebrate the great work of marketers like you (and put on our best duds). And while we’re (always) ready to celebrate, we don’t judge: We leave that to marketing, advertising, media and social media experts—from both inside and outside the financial industry—and make them do it for us.
In May, 2023 we celebrated our fellow Credit Union marketers in Nashville, TN
Each entry had a chance at pulling in not only a MAC Award but our exclusive MACQUEE Best of Show Award (no…it’s not an acronym, we just like our caps lock). The only top honor where participants are on stage presenting their work, followed by live on-line judging with results hermetically sealed in a mayonnaise jar until opened during the MAC Awards celebration that evening!
The judges for all other entries are marketing, advertising, media and social media experts from both inside and outside the financial industry. In other words…you win an award here…you should be asking for a raise when you take home the hardware!
Want to Size Up Past Competition?
Check out our 2023 awards gallery to see who took home some bling at last year’s conference.
2023 awards gallery.
The 2023 MAC Awards are now closed – thank you to everyone that entered.
MAC Award Categories
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Annual ReportThis one is pretty obvious. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Broadcast - Video CommercialCredit Union member-facing television, video or cinema ad or ad series. Results are required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Broadcast - Radio/Audio CommercialCredit Union member-facing radio/audio ad or ad series. Results are required.
-
Business DevelopmentSelect employer group (SEG) specific marketing, business services or business-to-business offers. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Brand/Rebrand EvolutionTell us about your branding or rebranding efforts to guide employees with direction and promotion of who you are and enhance image for acquiring new members. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Community EngagementActivism, giving back, supporting your local market, this category specifically recognizes those efforts. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Comprehensive CampaignRequires a minimum of three campaign elements supporting one effort. Photos of larger campaign elements will be accepted. Results are required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Culture/Internal BrandingDo something awesome in terms of culture and your internal team? Here’s where you get credit for it! Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Direct MailA series of direct mail pieces supporting one effort, including letter series or onboarding efforts OR One, single mail piece. Results are required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Electronic MarketingAny eChannel marketing including mobile applications, email, text or e-process. Results are required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Image Enhancement/Public RelationsEnhancement efforts that support public relations. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Financial EducationCredit union financial education efforts for members and the communities you serve. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
LogosNew logos for the credit union or a specific credit union subsidiary, product, promotion or effort. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Market Segment ProgramEfforts targeting a specific market segment of a credit union’s membership. Segments may be based on life stage, age, gender, ethnicity, or other demographic or niche markets. Results are required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
NewslettersSubmit two to five newsletters in the same series. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Online and Print AdvertisingNewspaper or magazine advertisements or inserts or off-site online advertisements. Results are required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
OutdoorCategory includes billboards, bus ads, car wraps or other outdoor media. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Point of Sale/In-Branch Media/Retail AdvertisingPoint-of-sale materials supporting one effort. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Product DevelopmentDid you create or roll out a new product in 2021? Give us the product details, what you did to promote it and the results. Results are required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Social and Viral MediaSocial and viral, engagement and other campaigns conducted using Facebook, Twitter or other word-of-mouth media. Results are required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Sponsorship/Partnership Marketing - New this year!Development of sponsor and/or partner relationships to build your brand. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Video - Non-CommercialInformational, internal or brand awareness video. Results are not required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater -
Website DesignRedesigned websites. Results are required.
$500 Million and Less
$501 to $999 Million
$1 Billion and Greater
Judging Criteria
Entries of the same asset categories will be scored and judged together to evaluate the entry’s:
- Objectives
- Target Audience
- Overall Strategy
- Competitive Factors
- Return on Investment (if applicable)
Results
(0-40 points)
Costs involved and objectives and desired goals achievement, including return on investment.
Creativity
(0-30 points)
Use of art/photography, design, type style, copy (or audio/visual equivalents) in pursuit of goals and how you have differentiated yourself from others in your market.
Planning
(0-30 points)
Your succinct strategy, how it relates to your organization’s strategic plan and vision and what components were used to develop the plan (actions, tactics, etc.) for the project/campaign.
Only entries that average a score at or above the score levels below are eligible for an award.
First Place
80 points, one winner
Second Place
65 points, one winner
Third Place
50 points, up to two winners
The score level for categories in which results are not required are:
First Place
50 points, one winner
Second Place
38 points, one winner
Award of Merit
28 points, up to two winners
In the event no entry achieves the necessary score level, no award will be given. But don’t worry, there’s always next year!
