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Last week, credit union management and marketers joined your League for a free webinar hosted by Currency Marketing, the creators of the Young & Free program that has been utilized in various states and providences in Canada. Tim McAlpine, President and Creative Director of Currency Marketing, shared recent enhancements to the Young & Free Maine program, Mallory's extended term, and new promotions.
When visiting www.youngfreemaine.com, the website has a new fresh look that expands the user's options when first visiting the site, which include social media promotions. Spokester Mallory Lavoie launched her second year with a fun and interactive "30 Day $100 Challenge" on Instagram, which encouraged credit unions, members, and fans to follow along and challenge their money-savvy skills during the month of July and receive a free e-book.
To engage the back-to-school audience, a new promotion called Bucks for Books will launch August 17. "Credit unions are here to support members throughout college. With accounts that offer good perks, rewards programs, and mobile tools, college life can be made easier—at least on the financial side," said Lavoie. "Balancing school and finances doesn't have to be a hassle, credit unions make it easy. Bucks for Books is one way credit unions can connect with students."
McAlpine said to watch for more engagement opportunities like Bucks for Books. In the webinar, he also covered It's A Money Thing, an innovative financial education program—which is free to Maine credit unions. These content marketing packages include a video, article, infographic, presentation, and educational handout. Each month It's A Money Thing tackles a new financial topic. Compound interest, choosing your financial institution, comparing cards, and foiling identity theft have all been featured topics since the program was launched.
"Videos are about 2-3 minutes each and are crammed with useful information," McAlpine explained. "Each of the other components of It's A Money Thing tries to further expand on the topic." McAlpine encourages credit unions to use the content on websites, Facebook pages, and methods for educating teens in the classroom. The content is original, engaging, and great for all ages—although the target audience is aimed for those between 15 and 25 years old. Currency has been working with Filene Research Institute to test and pilot the It's A Money Thing packages with credit unions throughout Canada and the United States. "We're working with Filene to test the content with consumers— we have held two focus groups and surveyed over 200 consumers to date. So far, results are overwhelmingly positive with our demographic ," McApline reported.
Paired with the Young & Free program, It's A Money Thing provides well researched, original, content that is free to share for all Maine credit unions.
The Young & Free Maine program has seen an 11% increase in age 18-25 membership from June 2014 to June 2015, compared to a 4% general membership increase over the same time period. If you have any questions on how to re-energize the Young & Free program at your credit union , contact Debra Trautman, your League's Vice President, Corporate Marketing, at dtrautman@mainecul.org.
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