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Your Marketing Co. | Great Ideas for Your Credit Union!

We want to join your credit union’s team.

Your Marketing Co started serving credit unions nearly a decade ago, offering a wide range of services including creative consultation, branding, product development, staff and CEO coaching, social media consultation, media buying, strategic planning, audio production, graphic design, web video production and more. Think of YMC as a marketing department for your credit union without the overhead. You don’t have to pay for our health insurance, give us retirement benefits or feed us—although we won’t turn down a cup of coffee if you offer it. You focus on the daily management of your credit union, we’ll manage the message because that’s what we do best.
Credit unions are our thing.

Typical advertising agencies may not even know the difference between a bank and a Credit Union. They don’t understand the terminology and they don’t research trends. That can create huge compliance issues. Rather than face massive fines or consumer confusion, work with marketing professionals who know your world. Whether it’s league chapter meetings or attending conferences, we’re constantly immersed in the credit union industry. We understand the caveats of credit union advertising and marketing in a way that other firms simply don’t. Your Marketing Co combines high end quality with a local approach tailored to fit your budget.
To us, cookie cutter marketing is not an option.

We focus on one industry: credit unions. But that doesn’t mean our Credit Unions are all the same. We’ll highlight your credit union’s unique personality and position in the community in a custom way. The individual attention you provide separates you from the competition—and so does ours. So let us help you shake up the status quo with a modern marketing message planted on the foundation of personal service you’ve worked hard to establish.
We like a personal approach.

We’re not big on neck ties and pantyhose. We’re professional, deadline-oriented team players radiating relaxed southern charm. We take the time to get to know our credit unions inside and out because we’re creating a bond, not just selling something. Partner with us and we’ll get to know you, your personality and your goals. Then we’ll create a marketing plan with strategies tailored for you and your budget.

bo mcdonald

president

A veteran of major market media sales and programming, Bo got his start in radio working for a variety of large radio conglomerates including Clear Channel Radio and Citadel Broadcasting. After several years and requests from clients Bo went out on his own to form his own marketing firm. Today, that marketing firm has evolved into a boutique firm serving only the needs of credit unions in the form of marketing, business development, and product development. Why credit unions? Thanks to his parents who are avid credit union supporters, Bo has been a member of credit unions from a young age.

When not traveling around the country working with credit unions, Bo can be heard on the air at various times playing “Today’s Lite Rock” on Magic 98.9.
mark dudley

vice president of branding and communications

Mark assists YMC’s clients with brand opportunities and communication strategies. Mark is a native of Cayce, South Carolina and currently resides in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Mark joined the Your Marketing Co. after 4 years of experience in business development in the Industrial Equipment industry. Mark also has extensive knowledge in branding and marketing through his time in the professional sports world. Before moving to Spartanburg, Mark was a history teacher and baseball coach, and is a 2002 graduate of Presbyterian College where he earned a BS in Social Studies and played baseball. Mark enjoys spending time working out, traveling, and playing golf and is married to Mary, who teaches kindergarten in the Spartanburg School System.
kim wylie

creative director

Kim is YMC’s Creative Director and graphics guru. She is our go-to when it comes to making your ideas come to life — and look good doing it! She specializes in print and web graphics, but also loves logo/brand development and color psychology.

Kim was born in Utica, NY, but moved down to Columbia, SC with her family when she was still very young (they got here as soon as they could!). She attended The University of South Carolina majoring in Music Education, but found a stronger calling with the visual arts field. She moved to Greenville, SC with her husband, a high school band director, in 2007 and can’t imagine living anywhere else!

Other than computer graphics, she enjoys graphite drawing and mixed media art. She is also a self-proclaimed foodie and is likely to be found restaurant hopping in downtown Greenville on the weekends. If you catch her without her signature shades atop her head, snap a picture. It’s a rarity.
tom picciano

copywriter

Tom is YMC’s wordsmith. He met Bo “a few years ago” while working together at a radio station in the Upstate.

He’s not stopped writing since his high school student newspaper days. After earning a BA in Communication/Journalism, Tom switched to broadcast news, with stints on both TV and radio. His work has appeared on NPR, ABC Radio and Newsweek Video. Tom was honored several times by The Associated Press for excellence in writing and reporting. He honed his editing skills heading up the Assignment Desk at a Fox affiliate in New York State. He’s been a feature writer for regional publications and has prepared marketing campaigns for non-profit organizations.

Besides ink…Tom has travel in his blood. He’s been across the Atlantic 32 times, has visited 13 countries and 40 states. He’s been afloat on the Caribbean, flown to Hawaii and back, and “trained” across the entire US.
sarah bellum

creative genius

The creative brain behind all of the Great Ideas we conjure up for our credit union friends can be credited to Sarah Bellum. If the name sounds familiar, chances are you’re either a past fan of the Powerpuff Girls or are a regular listener to Prairie Home Companion on your local NPR station.

"YMC has brought a personal touch to our Credit Union." Read More

"YMC has brought a personal touch to our Credit Union. With their approach of including staff and members in our marketing materials, our members have embraced the Credit Union and we have seen our number of loyal members go up. The design and print work is first class, they handle all projects professionally and timely. YMC offers many years of experience in marketing, mainly with Credit Unions. They embrace the “people helping people" philosophy and are a value added to our Credit Union."

Anne Shivers, CEO Carolina Collegiate FCU
"Bo's guidance and input have been instrumental in the growth of the Credit Union" Read More

"Bo McDonald with Your Marketing Company has worked with SRFCU since October 2008. His guidance and input has been instrumental in the growth of the Credit Union from $25 million to $33 million in assets as of 4/30/11. he has developed marketing material for newspaper print, in house brochures, TV and billboards along with loan and deposit promotions. He has also assisted the Credit Union with community and fundraising events. It has been a pleasure working with Bo and anticipate his services to be needed for many years in the future."

Pat West, CEO Spartanburg Regional FCU
"Your Marketing Company has become a valuable part of our team at Greater Abbeville FCU." Read More

"Your Marketing Company has become a valuable part of our team at Greater Abbeville FCU. Being a small credit union we can't afford a full-time in house marketing person, but with the YMC team that is exactly what we get, for a fraction of the cost. We are excited about the Great Ideas they bring to the table and how our marketing is local and custom to our credit union and our community. I truly enjoy working with Bo and his team."

Faye Crocker, CEO Greater Abbeville FCU
"The YMC team instantaneously became an integral part of our team. Their ideas are fresh and exactly what we needed. Their advice and willingness to go over and above traditional marketing processes has been invigorating for our staff and membership. The perspective they bring is very credit union centered and yet so spot on with ...Continue Reading" Read More

"The YMC team instantaneously became an integral part of our team. Their ideas are fresh and exactly what we needed. Their advice and willingness to go over and above traditional marketing processes has been invigorating for our staff and membership. The perspective they bring is very credit union centered and yet so spot on with the current vibe in the media marketplace. YMC is always available to us and has a professional yet fun approach to business. They have created marketing campaigns using our staff at different locations generating a buzz within the membership that we didn’t know was possible. We appreciate all that they do and stand for as they are truly “people helping people.”"

Michal Parker, CFO Secured Advantage Federal Credit Union
"In partnering with YMC, we’ve gained an entire marketing team for our credit union with a variety of talents and capabilities. For the price of less than one employee, we have an entire team of marketing professionals in our corner helping to grow our credit union and serve our credit unions members. If your credit ...Continue Reading" Read More

"In partnering with YMC, we've gained an entire marketing team for our credit union with a variety of talents and capabilities. For the price of less than one employee, we have an entire team of marketing professionals in our corner helping to grow our credit union and serve our credit unions members. If your credit union is faced with growth and moving beyond the way you've always done things, I would highly recommend the YMC team for your credit union. Great ideas are always their specialty, and first class service is their priority."

Nancy Long, CEO ElecTel Cooperative FCU

Auto Loan Promotion

Latitude 32

Sometimes the best ideas are free. In December of 2012 there was major media hype surrounding the “end of the world” because of the Mayan calendar. We decided to capitalize on the media hype with an “End of the World” Auto Loan special. We offered to forgive any loan payments on loans made between December 3rd and December 21st 2012, IF the Mayan Calendar prediction was true and the world did end. Not only did the world not end, but for zero investment, the $50.7 million asset Latitude 32 Credit Union received just over $52,000 in media coverage in their local market (and nationally). Additionally, Auto Loans during the month of December were up 28% from their normal volume.
Media Campaign

South Carolina Credit Union League

In 2012, The South Carolina Credit Union League engaged your marketing co. to present a new state-wide campaign to the credit unions of South Carolina. After several years of a non-performing program, your marketing co. met with credit unions from throughout the state to establish campaign goals and the necessary components of the new campaign. The MADTAG (Making a Difference) campaign launched in February 2012. Spending only $7,000, the participating credit unions collaborated with the League to provide free gas at specified gas stations throughout the state. The $7,000 in free gas resulted in just over $240,000 in earned media from television, radio, and newspaper around South Carolina, promoting the positive message of credit unions “Making a Difference.” Results in 2013 were even better. For an investment of $8,000 over four days towards gas for 400 hundred drivers, the Credit Unions of South Carolina received an estimated $272,000 in earned media.
One-Day Loan Promotions

ElecTel Cooperative FCU

How can a “small” credit union make a big impact with members and on the bottom line? Creativity. Last year we helped the $38.1 million asset ElecTel Cooperative FCU book $1.7million in loans as part of several “One Day Loan Promotions.” No media was bought, and no expenses were incurred to promote this with the exception of printing several flyers for the branches and postings on Facebook and the credit union website. Members were offered the opportunity to take advantage of these one day loan promotions by pre-applying in the days leading up to the promotion. How did members react? In one promotion alone, the “Green Wednesday” one day loan promotion, proceeding “Black Friday” ElecTel Cooperative FCU loaned over $74,000 in one day. For the “Lead Day” loan promotion, ElecTel Cooperative loaned out $465,000 in one day. The most successful one day loan promotion of 2012? St. Patricks Day. Over $890,000 was loaned out in one day.
Visa Transfer Promotion

United Health Credit Union, a $50.2 million credit union, had a problem with VISA balances dwindling with little to no new balances being added. We addressed the problem with a 60 day Balance Transfer promotion in Q1 of 2013. In Q1 of 2012, VISA balances were down $50,000. So what about with the VISA Balance Transfer promotion? During the same quarter in 2013, VISA Balances rose $125,000. It may not seem like a lot if your credit union has an active VISA program; however, for a credit union with a declining balance, it’s a huge win! We believe in baby steps, not inflated results that don’t last.