WMG News & Events

Weber Marketing Group welcomed over 150 credit union marketing professionals to the Marketing Association of Credit Union’s 2007 annual conference, May 23-25. The three-day event was held at the Sheraton Hotel, only a mile from Weber Marketing Group’s headquarters in downtown Seattle.

Kicking Things Off

As registration opened, attendees stopped by the “Marketing Buzz Café” for free espressos served fresh from Weber Marketing’s own custom branded espresso cart. Credit union marketers and exhibitors alike enjoyed mochas, lattes and cappuccinos made by baristas Jeffry Pilcher, Weber Marketing Group’s creative director, and Savoy Brewster, a project manager.

Learning from Experience

As the conference got underway, over 40 attendees packed into the Sheraton’s Aspen Room to learn how to avoid the “Seven Deadly Mistakes of Community Charter Marketing.” Randy Schultz, VP of Marketing at Weber, and Jane Ronnefelt, VP of Marketing at Numerica Credit Union, told the crowd that credit unions looking to maximize a community charter often have to be ready to make bold strategic decisions.

“Many credit unions try adding the word ‘Community’ to their name, and try telling people that ‘membership is now open to everyone,’” Schultz said. “But it just isn’t enough.”

Weber Rocks the Boat

Wednesday evening, after the welcome reception, Weber Marketing Group bused over 80 MAC attendees down to Pier 55 for a three-hour sunset cruise around the Puget Sound. Music from Seattle band The Pop Offs rocked the 98’ boat as credit union professionals formed conga lines and (yes…it’s true) even a mosh pit! The cruise was co-sponsored by Captive Indoor Media, who shared exhibit space with Weber Marketing Group during the conference, along with strategic partners Member Research and L9.

Click here to view photos from the cruise.

Click here to view Argosy Cruise dock portraits.

And the Winner Is…

At Thursday evening’s MAC awards banquet, Weber Marketing Group and its clients were the big winners. Out of more than 350 entries in 25 different categories, 16 different Weber clients were honored with awards, and Weber Marketing won 14 awards itself:

• American Eagle FCU (East Hartford, CT), Branch Merchandising, Silver
• Arizona State CU (Glendale, AZ), Brochures, Silver
• Arizona State CU (Glendale, AZ), Name Change & Brand Launch, Gold
• Los Angeles Firemen’s CU (Pasadena, CA), Logo, Gold
• Neighborhood CU (Dallas, TX), Branch Merchandising, Bronze
• nuVision Financial FCU (Huntington Beach, CA), Logo, Bronze
• OnPoint Community CU (Portland, OR), Brand Development, Bronze
• OnPoint Community CU (Portland, OR), Outdoor, Bronze
• Onpoint Community CU (Portland, OR), Logo, Silver
• Orange County Teachers’ CU (Santa Ana, CA), Branch Merchandising, Bronze
• Plus4 CU (Houston, TX), Plastics, Gold
• Plus4 CU (Houston, TX), Branch Merchandising, Bronze
• TruGrocer CU (Boise, ID), Brand, Silver
• USA FCU (San Diego, CA), Annual Report, Bronze

Weber’s work for Arizona State Credit Union was also a finalist for the 2007 MACQUEE award. Paul Stull, Senior VP of Marketing for Arizona State Credit Union, gave a 15-minute presentation to all attendees about the success of their rebranding and renaming effort. He attributed Arizona State’s recent double-digit growth to the strength of the credit union’s brand, saying that a real brand is "something that you can truly utilize, not just something that’s pretty and sits on a shelf.

In total, Weber Marketing Group won over 35 credit union marketing awards this year, including CUES Golden Mirrors, CUNA Diamond Awards and MAC awards.

Weber Marketing Group will transfer headquarters next year to one of the most energy efficient buildings on the west coast.

The $10.2 million, 40,000 square foot building will be the first in Seattle to achieve Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. Designed by Weber + Thompson, a Seattle-based architecture and interior design firm, the building will consume an estimated 30% less energy than a traditional office with air conditioning.

"Going green with our new headquarters was an easy decision," said Mark Weber, Founder and CEO of Weber Marketing Group. "And it doesn’t come with significant additional expense or sacrifice."

"Not only is it the right thing to do, our clients will appreciate our insights and experience when they’re ready to pursue a green strategy," he added.

Using computer modeling and detailed data about Seattle’s weather, Weber + Thompson was able to design the 4-story building with special features to keep the interior cool during summer.

A center courtyard will create a chimney effect, pulling air through the sides of the building.

Exterior glass shades on the east and west of the building and inside the courtyard will absorb heat, but still let light through.

A light-colored roof will reflect the sun’s heat instead of absorbing it as a black roof would. Office workers can open the windows if desired.

Other sustainable elements in the building include shower and change rooms for bicycle commuters and workstations with translucent furniture located near windows for more natural light. Structural elements will contain a high percentage of recycled materials.

Located in Seattle’s prime South Lake Union neighborhood, the new building is scheduled for completion in Spring 2008.

For more information on Weber’s new headquarters, contact Ben Stangland at 206-826-0292.

Weber Marketing Group was involved in several events at the CUES Nexus Conference in Dallas on May 24-26, and honored with 12 awards:

• Kinecta Federal Credit Union, Point of Sale, First Place
• Plus4 Credit Union, Point of Sale, First Place
• Neighborhood Credit Union, Point of Sale, Second Place
• Arizona State Credit Union, Image Enhancement, Second Place
• Arizona State Credit Union, Card Design, Second Place
• American Eagle Federal Credit Union, Point of Sale, Second Place
• TruGrocer Federal Credit Union, Image Enhancement, Award of Merit
• TruGrocer Federal Credit Union, Logo, Award of Merit
• Los Angeles Firemen’s Credit Union, Logo, Award of Merit
• Visterra Credit Union, Logo, First Place
• Numerica Credit Union, Radio, First Place
• USA Federal Credit Union, Annual Report, Award of Merit

Mark Weber and Catharine Downes, AVP Marketing at North Shore Credit Union, spoke on Branded Retail Merchandising to an audience of over 80 people.

At the CUES Hallway, Mark and Randy Schultz, Weber’s VP Marketing, addressed retail merchandising, branding and the importance of video messaging.

Reflecting on the conference, Mark said, “There’s no doubt about it. 2007 is a tough year. The financial industry is fighting problems with subprime mortgages, sluggish member growth, a fickle economy and tighter budgets. That’s why branding and naming remain huge strategic issues on the top of everyone’s minds.”

“Many credit unions are looking at evolving their brands to meet the needs of Gen-Y in a Web 2.0 world,” he observed.

Later, Mark spoke again as part of an impromptu panel, including Trey Reeme of Open Source CU on youth marketing. Topics included: the financial knowledge of our youth, early life-stage triggers when kids need to have their own accounts and establish credit, and the self-sufficient responsibilities that come with checking accounts and credit.

For more information contact Randy Schultz at 206-826-0322.