Three CU Pros Honored for Marketing, Biz Development Achievements

CMBDC
March 19, 2008 | COMMENTS

Rob Kimmett, Kelley Parks, and Sean McDonald were honored for their credit union marketing and business development achievements during a ceremony at the CUNA Marketing and Business Development Council (CMBDC) Conference, which took place March 16-19 in Nashville, Tenn.

Rob Kimmett, senior vice president of marketing and public relations for the Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island Credit Union Leagues was the 2008 Hall of Fame inductee. For 22 years Kimmett has headed league communication’s efforts, which includes print and electronic publications, media relations, brand strategy, advertising, community giving, Web site development, and more. He also assists individual credit unions with their public relations efforts and mentors young credit union marketing professionals. Kimmett is also an active advocate of credit unions in the face of bank attacks. The council’s highest honor, this award recognizes excellence in performance for marketing professionals throughout his or her professional career.

The 2008 Marketing Professional of the Year Award was Kelley Parks, vice president of marketing and business development for Call FCU in Richmond, Va. After reaching 90 percent of its potential membership, Call FCU opted to serve several large underserved areas. Prior to launching, it went through a rebrand that involved defining the organization and creating an image to reflect this. The marketing department set and exceeded four rebranding goals tied to the business plan for new loans, community involvement, member education, and survey ratings. Additionally, Parks helped create The Office Hero Campaign -- a free-spirited marketing campaign to recruit potential SEGs. In this guerrilla-style campaign, credit union staff dressed as superheroes “flew” into area businesses and radio stations seeking out potential members.

Sean McDonald, director of business development and marketing for Liberty Savings FCU in Jersey City, N.J., was presented with the Business Development Professional of the Year Award. Among his many noteworthy achievements, McDonald introduced new financial services and acquired 100 new employer groups for Liberty in two years. He also created an ambassador program and a formal marketing department, and he conducts trainings and community events to educate others about financial, personal, and professional growth issues.

An in-depth article on the winners and their achievements will be featured in the May 2008 issue of Credit Union Magazine. For more information on the CMBDC awards, go to www.cunamarketingcouncil.org and choose the appropriate link on the “Events” pull-down menu.