In a trend of CUs “Going Green” a credit union is “forcing” employees to drive 10k a year time 13 vehicles. That could generate negative PR. Also it seems like a very weak use of marketing dollars. Dedicated channels sometimes lose their impact once familiarity kicks in. This is why marketers switch up the messages – to keep things fresh and interesting. People build blindspots to familiar images. How many times have you been looking for your keys and found them right in front of you?

These graphics/message will not change for 3 years? Plus if this really was for marketing purposes, then why not get panel vans and squeeze more space for the marketing art and messages? Why not make them sports cars where they would get more attention and impact? Why not make them electric and have them drag little trailers behind them with billboards? Why not buy bus passes for ALL your members to use if they choose? What was the decision to go with these incredibly unattractive vehicles where the marketing info is below the windowline?

Better yet, who’s relative/spouse/friend who works at the local Chevy dealership that closed this sale? As a member, that’s what I would be asking.

As a member, I would rather that marketing dollar go to a local charity or school music program than to buy 13 employee vehicles as a pseudo-marketing stunt.

One last thought. Cell phone use in cars has almost been outlawed here in California. That trend may find its way across the country. Maybe in 2 years, people won’t be able to call in the special phone number from their cell phones. That is the danger of putting all your eggs in one marketing basket.

Nothing against the credit union or it’s staff. I don’t know them or their membership. This may end up being a slam dunk. But it does tend to fly in the face of what I know and definitely not something that I would have ever recommended (for better or worse).

But it is almost 1am on a Monday morning and it has been a long day. Maybe I will feel different tomorrow.

This could help my lobbying efforts for a $15,000,000 annual marketing budget.

As a consequence, I’d bet this move improves employee retention, and not just during the next three years while employees drive the cars. I’d bet there will be an HR halo effect for years to come.

I don’t know if you know this or not, Jeffry, but do these cars have air conditioning/speakers/seat belts? There’s GOT to be a catch.