WMG News & Events

Do you want to learn 5 ways to recession-proof your marketing? Join Mark Weber’s Virtual Seminar Wednesday, April 22, 2009.

• 11:00 am – 12:00 pm (PST)
• 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm (MST)
• 1:00 pm – 2:00 pm (CST)
• 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm (EST)

This seminar will provide ideas to grow more profitable member relationships, spike your delivery systems and amplify your brand program and results in this brutal economy.

Mark will cover:

• Re-engineering your brand strategy ‘inside-out’ for better performance
• Creating an effective “on-boarding” program
• Gen Y marketing alone is not enough – - Gen X has the money
• Turning your branches into high performing relationship selling centers
• Evolving your web site and eServices into “Superglue”

Cost:
This seminar is open to MAC members only. It is free for MAC members to participate.

Capacity:
Please note that this virtual seminar is limited to the first 50 MAC members who register, so hurry and sign up.

Click HERE to register

Interested in growing your credit union in 2009, and beyond? Among the best ways to do that is to network and listen to strategies from successful credit unions that are doing just that. Make sure you don’t miss this unique opportunity to learn from and interact with growing credit unions by attending Credit Union Journal’s Grow Show, April 27-29 in San Diego.

Weber Marketing group is pleased to be part of this critical industry gathering, and would like to offer you a special 20% discount on your registration. Register today with the Promo Code: WEBER and receive 20% off the current conference rates.

Click Here to register.

At the Grow Show, don’t miss Weber Marketing Group’s presentation on Tuesday, April 28 at 2:00 PM

Who Let the Dog Out? Meet Spike, the Fat Cat Slayer

Imagine building your brand image around a 59- pound, bowl-licking bulldog fighting for the average Joe? It may sound a bit out of the box, but what if it drove 1,400 Gen X and Gen Y new members in your door in two months and lowered your average membership age by nine years?

If you want to see a bold marketing approach that grabs consumer attention and showcases the credit union difference uniquely, come meet “Spike” the wonder dog and the evil “Fat Cats” he seeks to defeat.

Presented by:

Todd Kern, VP, Marketing, USA Federal Credit Union

Mark Weber, President, Weber Marketing Group

Register today with our exclusive 20% discount and share in real life-examples from CEOs and other experts from peer-leading, thriving credit unions that are succeeding even in this very tough environment.

Weber Marketing Group rolled out a new merchandised branch for Advantis Credit Union on January 23rd.

 Weber Marketing Group installed a dynamic merchandising program for the new HAPO Southridge branch on December 4th and 5th.

Weber worked closely with EHS Design to create an integrated merchandising program, enhancing and coordinating with the interior design of the new branch.

The new branch features a warm earthy palette, complementing the natural environment of the Southridge branch location. Multi-layered merchandising components were created by combining various materials, including metallic paper, acrylic and dimensional lettering, and imagery together.  The program features key words and sentiments which are integral to the philosophy of the credit union.

“Weber Marketing Group did a fantastic job on the branch! We are really happy!” -Sheryl Lueckel, VP of Operations

All of these components create a unique and dynamic program that sets this credit union far above its competition.

Hard times hit the economy and your credit union, what is the first thing to be cut? At many credit unions, it’s marketing. Join the head honcho of Weber Marketing Group, Mark Weber, Tuesday December 16th at 11:00am Pacific time, to learn marketing strategies that will maximize the tight budgets most credit union marketers are faced with these days, while continuing to leverage and elevate your brand.

Take-aways Mark will be discussing include:

• Re-engineer your brand and marketing strategy
• Create an on-boarding program
• Develop marketing geared to Gen Y — and Gen X
• Turn your branches into selling centers
• Focus staff on brand experiences and relationship building
• Make your Web site and eServices selling centers
• Build relevant products for consumers
• Focus on smarter performance metrics

To sign up for this webinar click here. See you there.

Weber Marketing Group settled in their new office May 5^th, 2008, which has achieved Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Program.

The new 40,000 square foot building is one of the first in Seattle to achieve the LEED certification, aligning with Weber Marketing’s passion to make a difference in the financial industry, community, and earth.

To reduce green house gasses, the building was constructed without any air conditioning, something that has not been done in Seattle in 30 years. Using extensive thermal modeling and detailed data about Seattle’s weather, the 4-story building has special features to keep the interior cool during the summer. While temperatures may exceed 80 degrees a few times a year it is a small cost for using an estimated 30% less energy than a traditional office with air conditioning. The center courtyard creates a chimney effect, pulling air through the sides of the building, while exterior glass shades on the east and west sides of the building and inside the courtyard will absorb heat, but still let light through.

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. The roof is light-colored to reflect the sun’s heat, and structural elements contain a high percentage of recycled materials.

The LEED Gold building, designed by Weber + Thompson, a Seattle-based architecture and interior design firm, reflects Weber Marketing Group’s commitment to eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable practices.

“The name change removes a barrier to membership many sensed when hearing our former name.”
— Dick Kibbey,
CEO of MSECU/Via

Marion School Employees Credit Union , working in partnership with the branding and naming team at Weber Marketing Group, recently held a vote that gave members the choice between two possible new names. The majority winner of the democratic vote was ‘Via Credit Union.’

"A name change is a big decision, and we felt it was important to involve our member/owners," said Dick Kibbey, President and CEO of the credit union. "Everyone has a voice here, and that’s what makes us different than banks."

The credit union chose to pursue a more inclusive name after being granted a charter that opened membership to everyone living or working in Grant, Blackford, Miami and Madison counties.

"The name change removes a barrier to membership many sensed when hearing our former name. People assumed that you couldn’t join unless you worked for Marion Schools, which isn’t true," said Kibbey.

"Bringing affordable financial solutions to even more area families and attracting new members is good for everyone, but it especially benefits our existing members," Kibbey added.

The credit union narrowed down two potential names after considering more than 100 different suggestions proposed by Weber Marketing Group. The credit union partnered with both a professional naming firm and trademark counsel, and conducted an extensive evaluation to ensure the two names were not trademarked before putting them to a member vote.

The new Via name suggests the credit union is a pathway for members to reach their goals, such as a new home or a secure retirement.

Government approval for the new name was granted May 8, 2008. The transition to Via Credit Union will begin this summer.

Members Almost Unanimous in Approval of New Name

By a resounding margin of more than 96 percent, the members of Elkhart County Farm Bureau Credit Union (FBCU) approved Interra as the new name of their credit union.

In Indiana, where FBCU is headquartered, name changes of state-chartered credit unions must be approved by at least a 75 percent margin, the stiffest requirement in the country.

The approval process for the new name included in-branch voting the week prior to the annual meeting, as well as voting at the meeting, held March 17.

More than seven months ago, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) sent a formal request to FBCU, requesting the credit union adopt a new nwame. In its request, the AFBF cited its national trademarks on both “Farm Bureau” and the initials “FB.” The credit union was founded more than 76 years ago by local Farm Bureau Association members and co-op employees and they used “Farm Bureau” in the credit union’s name.

Over the years, FBCU has grown, expanded and holds significant “brand equity” within the membership and in the local communities it serves. Before proceeding with a name change, the credit union consulted a trademark attorney and reviewed all options, including an offer by the AFBF to enter into a license agreement. Holding true to the cooperative principle of autonomy and independence, FBCU rejected that option.

Ultimately embracing the AFBF’s request as an opportunity to rebrand itself, the credit union partnered with the financial branding and naming experts at Weber Marketing Group to develop a naming strategy. The first step was to form a Naming Committee, which consisted of FBCU members, management, staff and board representatives. The naming team set out to find a new name that would honor the credit union’s agricultural and community traditions, while simultaneously appealing to new generations of potential members.

Weber Marketing generated more than 300 potential names, and suggestions from staff and credit union members were also welcomed. Using the firm’s strategic process, the naming team considered nearly 100 different options in four rounds over an eight week period. Each name was evaluated for its “brandability” and trademark availability.

‘Interra’ Name Honors Credit Union’s Roots

The process culminated with the unanimous selection of “Interra” by the naming committee. The name can be literally interpreted as “Indiana land,” with “In” representing Indiana, and “terra” meaning land.

“We wanted a name that spoke to our area and our members,” said Jack Sheets, president of the credit union. “Interra does just that. It makes a connection back to our agricultural and community roots.”

The new name is also much shorter than the current name while lending itself to unique branding opportunities and visual elements.

Soon after the naming team’s selection, the FBCU Board of Directors unanimously approved the name for the membership vote.

Communications Vital Throughout Process

Together with Weber Marketing, the credit union crafted a communications strategy that helped members through the process. It started with a letter sent late last November informing members about AFBF’s position, ensuring them that the credit union was not sold, and detailing the path the credit union planned to take. Subsequent progress updates kept members informed every step along the way, including website announcements, articles in the monthly newsletter and in-branch information. Another member letter was sent when it was time to approve the Interra name.

Credit union officials also communicated directly with the Elkhart County Farm Bureau and Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance throughout the name change process. These relationships continue to be positive, and their members remain within the credit union’s field of membership.

“A name change can be an emotional undertaking,” said Mark Weber, president and CEO of Weber Marketing. “The credit union’s transition to Interra could not have gone more smoothly. It’s a reminder to credit unions considering a name change how important it is to have a well-defined strategy that’s supported by proactive member communications and positive engagement.”

“We believe Interra has been so well accepted by our members because it is a name with a ‘story’ that ties back to our history and heritage,” said Sheets. “Yet it allows us to move forward with a unique and progressive name.”

Weber Marketing continues to work with the credit union to build a fresh, new brand identity to go along with the Interra name, which will roll out in a few months.
The credit union currently has a federal trademark application pending with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.

Construction on Weber Marketing Group’s new home office is in the home stretch. Crews are painting, laying carpet and installing work stations over the next 45 days. Weber Marketing Group should be taking occupancy around May 2nd.

The LEED Gold building reflects Weber Marketing Group’s commitment to eco-friendly and environmentally sustainable practices, but it doesn’t come without sacrifices.

For instance, to reduce greenhouse gasses, the building is the first constructed in Seattle in over 30 years without any air conditioning. According to extensive thermal modeling, indoor temperatures may exceed 80 degrees a few times a year.

It is hoped that the building will reduce energy consumption by 30 percent.

It has been three years since Weber Marketing Group started discussing the idea of a new home. Fortunately, a prime piece of real estate in Seattle’s South Lake Union area opened up and construction began just over a year ago.

The building is a joint venture with Weber Thompson Architects, a Seattle-based firm headed by Blaine Weber, the brother of Weber Marketing Group’s president, Mark Weber.

Weber Marketing Group’s new address will be:

225 Terry Ave N, Suite 400
Seattle, WA 98109

Phone numbers and emails will remain the same.

Our office will be closed May 2-4 while we relocate to the new space.

Weber Marketing completed a branch merchandising project for Alta Vista Credit Union in Redlands, California.

Weber Marketing designed, produced and installed branded retail graphics and displays for the 4,000 square foot branch. The project also involved new colors, exterior signage and video merchandising to give the branch a more modern and updated look.

Traditional teller lines were replaced with free standing teller pods, offering members a full line of teller and member service opportunities in one location. The branch expanded to an open environment, and includes the following features:

• Private desks where staff can assist members one-on-one
• A children’s area for younger members
• Cash Point self service coin deposit center
• ‘Welcome Desk’ to assist greet and assist members
• E-Station for members to go online
• Coffee center

Click here to view photos from the installation.

Weber Marketing has already started planning for two more Alta Vista’s branches, one in Redlands and the other in Rialto, California. Both are scheduled for completion in summer 2008.