« Game-Based Banking? | Main | Are You Ready for Big Bank Refugees? »

October 15, 2008

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/services/trackback/6a00d834516b1969e20105358450bd970b

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference 'Fun' First--or How Would You Phrase it?:

Comments

Feed You can follow this conversation by subscribing to the comment feed for this post.

Tim McAlpine

Lisa, I couldn't agree more. I hear people in CU-land complaining that banking is boring. Nonsense. It is what you make of it. Tell me an interesting and entertaining story that aligns with your CU brand and I will come back for more. Each visit to your branch, your website, your microsite, your blog, your whatever should leave visitors wanting more.

Blenders are boring right? Well, Blendtec has made them an Internet sensation with its 'Will it Blend?' microsite - http://www.willitblend.com/ - which has translated into huge PR and in the end sells a warehouse full of $500 blenders.

Lisa Hochgraf

Tim, Right on! In the comments on the Filene discussion, the relevant informational Web site from NCUA was mentioned as being of better quality than Suze Orman's advice on Oprah.

But I can't help thinking of the difference in headline: Visit Good Informational Government Web Site vs. Hear Oprah Discuss With Suze Orman What You Should do With Your Money. Suze and Oprah, hands down, get more attention.

Morriss Partee

I am all for for making learning fun, and for CUs to tell their stories in a fun and entertaining way.

http://everythingcu.wordpress.com/2008/02/06/rock-and-roll-baby/

But just because the FDIC hired Suze Orman doesn't make THAT kind of thing (celebrity spokesperson) the right route to take. For 99% of credit unions, celebrities are the WRONG way to go, because what are CUs all about? Regular people helping regular people. The minute you start using celebrities, (ala CUs of Washington campaign featuring Carl Weathers), you are sending a message that is in direct conflict with your core values, which only ends up confusing and alienating the people you were trying to connect with.

Lisa Hochgraf

I'm certainly not suggesting that CUs use Suze specifically. But I am suggesting that they not be afraid to be a little shallow (if that's the right word) --to make a big splash, to tie in to national players-- in order to hook their audience.

On the other hand, that means that their substantive follow up has to be GOOD.

Morriss Partee

I think we are agreeing that Ms. Orman as a spokesperson shows a certain kind of shallowness on the part of the FDIC. And I advocate that it's a shallowness that should be entirely avoided by the CU movement.

Instead of thinking about this in terms of fun first, "spinach" second, let's think about education that simultaneously entertains (or entertainment that simultaneously educates). It is possible to do both at the same time, and the hit video games Guitar Hero and Rock Band are proof.

I've elaborated on what CUs can learn from Rock Band here.

http://everythingcu.wordpress.com/2008/10/24/what-cus-can-learn-from-rock-band/

James

Servus Credit Union won't be asking its CEO to return a $3.6-million bonus. Steve Blakely was given the bonus in 2008 during a merger with two other Alberta credit unions, Community Savings and Common Wealth credit unions.

Verify your Comment

Previewing your Comment

This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.

Working...
Your comment could not be posted. Error type:
Your comment has been posted. Post another comment

The letters and numbers you entered did not match the image. Please try again.

As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.

Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.

Working...

Post a comment

Your email address:


Powered by FeedBlitz

Google Search

  • Google

    WWW
    Nexus Connection

CUES Experience 2008

  • Pixel Farms
    Scenes from the conference's five field trip locations: Summit Brewery, Fair Issac, Mall of America, Minnesota Twins and Pixel Farms.

About Us

  • CUES Nexus Connection covers credit union marketing. CUES is a Madison, Wis.-based association dedicated to the professional development of credit union leaders.