NOTE:  All Entries must use the 2013 Official Pinnacle Awards Entry & Payment Form

Advocacy

• Focuses on efforts to rally membership behind a CU cause or developing relationships related to advocacy within local field of membership.
• Advocacy items may include campaign packets, promotions, videos, and more. Please submit one sample of all printed material. 
• Photographs, newspaper clippings, and other media coverage and an explanation of the advocacy program, specialty items, etc. may be included.
• Entries should show all activities related to advocacy projects or programs.
• Up to five summary pages, plus support documents may be included.

Annual Reports

• Your entry can cover 2011 or 2012, as long as your report is published during the qualifying time period.
• Report can be paper, CD, or electronic.
• Please submit one sample via electronic or printed reproduction.

Brochures

• Membership packets, brochures, or booklets intended to introduce potential or existing members to the credit union and its services.
• Please submit one sample.

Business and SEG Development (Results Required)*

• Focuses on acquiring new SEGs, increasing penetration within current SEGs, or developing business relationships within local field of membership.
• Business development items may include member packets, promotions, videos, and more. Please submit one sample of all printed material. 
• Photographs, newspaper clippings, and other media coverage and an explanation of the program, specialty items, etc. may be included.
• Entries should show all activities related to projects or programs.
• Up to five summary pages, plus support documents may be included.

Card Designs 

• Only one set of awards will be given for credit unions of all asset sizes.

• Examples include credit, debit, Smart, or ATM card designs.
• Card designs must have been created exclusively for your credit union and distributed for the first time during the qualifying time period.
• Please submit one sample or a full-color reproduction.

Complete Campaigns (Results Required)*

• At least three different forms of media must be used (such as direct mail, point-of-sale, newspaper, and newsletter). Judges will consider the number of media used.
• Radio, television, and audio-visuals must be on audio cassette, DVD or 1/2” VHS videocassette. Please include a printed script(s) of the spot(s).
• For identification purposes, please attach a list of the campaign pieces you sent with a brief description of each.
• Please submit one copy of each print piece, one of each electronic piece, and one of oversized pieces, such as lobby stand-ups, banners, or other displays measuring more than three feet. Photos of oversized pieces are acceptable.
• Must be a campaign used within the qualifying time frame.

Direct Mail Single (Results Required)

• No membership brochures or calendars.
• Must be a single direct mail piece.
• Include one sample of all items sent in each mailing.

Direct Mail Series (Results Required)

• No membership brochures or calendars should be submitted in this category
• Must be a direct mail series
• Multiple samples in the series should be offered for judges to review

Electronic Marketing 

• Entry may be any use of electronic reader boards, and/or lobby boards.
• Entry should relate to a specific promotion focusing on growth or retention.
• If a redesign, entry must include pictures and information from the former marketing pieces.
• A binder is acceptable.

Email Marketing 

• Entry may be any use of email or text message marketing.
• Entry should relate to a specific promotion focusing on growth or retention.
• If a redesign, entry must include pictures and information from the former marketing pieces.
• A binder is acceptable.

Internal Marketing

• Only one set of awards will be given for credit unions of all asset sizes.

• Show the scope and purpose of the internal program.
• May include employee promotions, intranet, training events, and more. An entry may relate to a single event or be a campaign.
• Also includes internal newsletters.
• Photographs, internal newsletters, information flyers, and other specialty items, etc. may be included.
• Up to five summary pages, including supporting documents, should be provided.
• A binder is acceptable.

Logos

• Logos must have been created exclusively for your credit union and distributed for the first time during the qualifying time period.
• Please submit a variety of samples showing and explaining the different applications of the logo.
• Include an example of a previous logo, if applicable.
• Must have been distributed for the first time during the qualifying time period.

Microsite

• Entry may be any use of a microsite related to credit union growth, promotion, advertising etc.
• If you are submitting for a microsite redesign please include pictures and information about the previous site as well as the redesigned site
• A binder is acceptable for all information

Newsletters

• Please submit one sample of three consecutive issues.
• Electronic newsletters may be entered.

Online Advertising – (Results Required)*

• Entry can focus on any area of CU business being promoted via online advertising
• Please include print samples of the online advertising and click-through pages
• A binder is acceptable
• Results should include the number of hits, click-through or open rates as applicable and product response rates.

Outdoor Advertising

• Buses, billboards, ATM wraps, CU vehicles, etc.
• Photographs, newspaper clippings, and other media coverage and an explanation of the program, etc. may be included. Photos of oversized pieces are acceptable.

Print Advertising

• Newspapers, magazines, statement inserts, calendars, etc. 
• Please submit one tear sheet or sample of printed materials.

Public Relations/Community Involvement (Results Required)*

• May include scholarships, community involvement, and more.
• An entry may relate to a single activity or multiple activities. 
• Photographs, newspaper clippings and other media coverage, specialty items, etc. may be included.
• Up to five summary pages, including supporting documents.
• A binder is acceptable.

Radio/Television Advertising

• May include television, radio, videos, and more. 
• Radio, television, and audio-visuals must be on audio cassette, DVD, CD or 1/2” VHS videocassette. 
• A printed script(s) of the spot(s) is required. Submit only one copy of each entry. Label each cassette or DVD clearly with credit union name and name of entry. 
• Please submit one sample of printed materials.

Regulatory Campaign

• Focuses on efforts to educate members for regulatory changes (e.g., Reg E, Reg Z, etc.) and their affect on the member experience.
• Items may include campaign packets, promotions, videos, and more.
• Please submit one sample of all printed material.
• Photographs, newspaper clippings, and other media coverage and an explanation of the advocacy program, specialty items, etc. may be included.
• Up to five summary pages, plus support documents may be included.

Retail Merchandising/Branding

• May include tent cards, lobby posters, or Duratrans. This encompasses the total branch sales environment including kiosks, ATMs, self-service displays, etc.
• Entry may relate to a single event, part of a campaign, or be educational in nature.
• Overall branching strategy designed to enhance member awareness of credit union services. 
• Photographs of the environment will be accepted and should be a minimum of 8" x 10" and in color.
• Please submit one sample.

Social Media (Results Required)*

• Any use of any social media platform, blogs, forum, group site, the internet, or micro site that engages members to communicate about your credit union and/or the credit union movement. 
• Must include average number of comments received, time spent on site, use of links, etc.
• Only one set of awards will be given for credit unions of all asset sizes.

Special Events (Results Required)*

• May include annual meetings, grand openings, anniversary promotions, fund raising, member appreciation, and more. An entry may relate to a single event or be an image building or identity campaign.
• Photographs, newspaper clippings and other media coverage, specialty items, etc. may be included.
• Up to five summary pages, including supporting documents.
• A binder is acceptable.

Website

• Entry may be any use of website, whether CU internet or intranet or other CU mobile site. 
• Entry should relate to a specific promotion focusing on growth or retention.
• If a redesign, entry must include pictures and information from the former site.
• A binder is acceptable.

Youth/Senior Marketing (Results Required)*

• Entries will be judged on how well credit union benefits were matched with the group’s needs.
• Entries should show activities related to projects or programs.
• Photographs, newspaper clippings, and other media coverage and an explanation of the program, specialty items, etc. may be included.   
• Up to five summary pages, plus support documents, may be included.

* In categories where results are required, an entry will be disqualified if results are not presented.