The Bettendorf-based Ascentra Credit Union marketing team recently received three Diamond Awards from the Credit Union National Association (CUNA) in recognition of their outstanding marketing and business development achievements in the credit union industry .
The awards, given in each of the three entered categories, included two best-in-class awards. The categories and campaigns submitted were:
- Complete the campaign – Ascentra won a Diamond Award for its Elf Holiday campaign which was themed around the favorite holiday movie ‘Elf’. The campaign featured creative content for in-branch signage, print materials, social media, website and video marketing.
- Single event – Ascentra won the Best of Category award for its home office building groundbreaking event held in honor of the late Dale Owen in July 2021. The former President and CEO of the credit union lost its battle with pancreatic cancer in November 2020.
- Current event – Ascentra won the Category’s Best award for its foundation’s annual golf outing. The outing, formerly called Paul Lensmeyer Golf Outing, now renamed Paul & Dale Hack N’ Give Back Golf Outing, is an annual celebration of former presidents and CEOs Paul Lensmeyer and Dale Owen. This event is the largest fundraising event for the Ascentra Credit Union Foundation each year.
“This year’s awards hold a special place in the hearts of Ascentra staff,” said Jennifer Naeve, Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer, Ascentra Credit Union, in a company statement. “Two of these awards were presented at events dedicated to our past and beloved CEOs, two individuals who have made a significant difference in the lives of family, friends and credit union members and staff. We are honored to bring them these awards.”
The awards were presented by the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, a national network of more than 1,200 credit union marketing and business development professionals. Judges evaluated entries based on strategy, design, production, creative concept, copy, communications and results.
This year’s competition received 1,195 entries and prizes were awarded in each of 35 categories.
“The Diamond Awards are the gold standard for credit union marketing and business development,” said Marella Nardotti, President of the Diamond Awards and Vice President of Marketing for NextMark Credit Union. “The inventiveness to effectively meet and exceed goals is what honors the awards.”