Comments on: This Credit Union Bulldogs the Competition…Literally

By: Branch Showcase Fall 2010 : The Financial Brand: Marketing Insights for Banks & Credit Unions

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 08:02:59 +0000

[...] Fat Cats.” It’s too bad this credit union was just gobbled up by Navy FCU. Spike, USA Fed’s bulldog spokescanine, served the credit union [...]

By: 7 Steps to Find Your Brand’s Personality | The Financial Brand: Marketing Insights for Banks & Credit Unions

Tue, 19 Oct 2010 08:04:06 +0000

[...] a big difference between USA Fed’s Spike the Bulldog and Sunova’s Takoda, the Director of Greetings [...]

By: The Financial Brand » Blog Archive » Rescued dog stars in FAB&T kids marketing program

Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:45:10 +0000

[...] FAB&T isn’t the only financial institution to realize the iconic power of spokesdogs. Late last year, The Financial Brand wrote about USA Fed’s scrappy brand bulldog, Spike. [...]

By: Tim McAlpine

Tim McAlpine — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:01:50 +0000

Very cool. I love the variety and the longevity. Spike could have easily become a gimmick, but instead has become an icon that is linked to USA Fed. Nice work.

By: The Financial Brand » Blog Archive » Headlines, snapshots and misc. stories of interest

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 20:47:46 +0000

[...] « This credit union bulldogs the competition…literally [...]

By: Jeffry Pilcher

Jeffry Pilcher — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:33:31 +0000

Hi James,

Yes, I think animals are an excellent way to market a financial institution. Animals come loaded with so much personality, that it forces an organization to examine its brand: What is the right animal to use as we personify our brand with this character? If you pick a dog, you drill down further: What kind of dog?

FYI – I wrote up a quick blurb yesterday on Harley, the Chihuahua you mentioned. It should be published later today or tomorrow.

By: James Robert Lay

James Robert Lay — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:07:57 +0000

Beacon FCU is also using a dog to help connect with people… except it’s a lot smaller than a bulldog but has the personality and character of a hardcore biker.

http://www.cugrow.com/cu_grow/2008/11/beacon-fcu-hosts-a-new-breed-of-spokester.html

AMOCO FCU has also been using animals lately in some of their campaigns including cats.

Are animals an effective way to market a CU? People can connect with them if they are animal lovers. I’m pretty indifferent though as have never been much of a dog or cat person.