Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue, center, signs the document proclaiming October 20 as Credit Union Day in Georgia. Accompanying him are, from left, Mike Culbertson, GCUA Chief Advocacy Officer; Ruth Artis, President and CEO, BOND Community FCU; Cindy Connelly, GCUA Senior VP/Association Services; Kelly Garmon, GCUA VP/Communications & Public Relations; and Heather Miner, GCUA Governmental Affairs Specialist.

Georgia Credit Unions Ramp Up
Public Relations/Communications
for International Credit Union Day

DULUTH, GA (October 17, 2005) – As part of International Credit Union Day celebrations, Georgia credit unions have ramped up their public relations and communications efforts to raise awareness of the value of credit union membership.

In addition to securing a signed proclamation from Governor Sonny Perdue, deeming October 20, 2005 as Credit Union Day, Georgia credit unions are maximizing exposure by airing more than 3,000 radio spots, reaching an approximate 867,800 Georgians.

Beyond the radio buys, Georgia Credit Union Affiliates (GCUA), the credit union trade association, has sent media alerts and will be forwarding press releases to all major markets. A series of media visits has also been scheduled.

The International Credit Union Day celebration strategically coincides with the state’s cooperative television advertising campaign which touts the tagline, “Georgia Credit Unions . . . You’ll Like Us Better.” The cooperative campaign is the second series of commercials launched by Georgia credit unions and is slated to reach 13 markets through more than 3,400, 30-second spots.

Georgia Credit Union Affiliates is comprised of three state support organizations for credit unions - Cooperative Services, Inc., Georgia Central Credit Union and Georgia Credit Union League. Georgia Credit Union League is a trade association that provides advocacy, educational, operational, and marketing/promotional support for Georgia’s credit unions. There are 194 credit unions in Georgia, with total assets of $12.2 billion, serving nearly 1.8 million members.