This summer, Northwest Resource Federal Credit Union launched a buzz campaign that gave hair stylists in downtown in Portland, Oregon the chance to win a gift card for their best hairstyles.
In total, about 30 cameras were produced, at a cost of $4.58 each.
Near the end of last month, cameras were picked up, the film was developed and pictures added to the a special Flickr photo-sharing site. Participating salons got their name and logo added to the promotion’s Flickr page.
The winning hair style/stylist will be chosen based on the number of comments photos receive. Sixteen entries were received. The winning stylist gets $100 gift card, and the person with the winning hair style gets $100 to spend at their salon.
There’s no mention of this promotion on the nrfcu.org site yet, but PSST! Marketing, the word-of-mouth agency behind the promo, says there will be soon, asking people to vote.

Your Data Has Something to Tell You
Data analytics is critical to enhancing operational efficiency and improving the accountholder experience. Do you know how to make your data work for you?

Personalizing the Small Business Banking Experience
Help your small business clients thrive with data analytics tools that help you better personalize content and provide relevant product offerings.
Read More about Personalizing the Small Business Banking Experience
Bottom Line: While this kind of promotion isn’t going to generate monster results, it can’t hurt. It gets people talking (in hair salons), and builds name awareness for Northwest Resource — a huge challenge almost every credit union faces. It’s fun, inexpensive, doesn’t take a lot of work and — for those who participate — it’s likely to leave a happy little halo on the credit union’s brand.
If your financial institution serves a small, specific community, you might think of how you could change the flavor of a camera-centric promotion. Where could you leave cameras? What could you ask people to photograph?
FLYER
Standard 8.5×11, with instructions on the back (click to enlarge).