JAYRAY a communications consultancy

What's the Difference

JayRay understands the credit union system and the international operating principles that guide the movement. We help credit unions best serve their members by reaching the goals set by their boards of directors. To experience a fresh perspective and tips on living the "credit union difference," check out our blog.

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Apr. 15, 2009 at 1:52pm

Bringing the message home from school

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Choose the Right Target Audience, Strategic Communications
Comments (1)

There’s a school for credit unions that want to reach young women, encourage financial literacy and reach the next great members. It’s your neighborhood school.

Ah, but don’t people hate the idea of commercialism in schools?

Jan. 21, 2009 at 4:27pm

Reality check! Financial stability must come with financial responsibility

Posted by Guest Blogger in Choose the Right Target Audience, New Members, Special Events, The Power of Creativity
No comments

What do coffee chats, blogs, fairs and a kick-ass college grad have to do with one another... or better yet, with credit unions?

Jan. 8, 2009 at 10:38am

Why spend so much effort researching members when we should be researching prospects?

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Choose the Right Target Audience, New Members, Strategic Communications
No comments

I was reading Filene’s excellent new report, “The Credit Union Brand: What is it Good for?” It got to me wonder why we spend so much time and money researching what customers/members do and think when we should be spending time finding out what our best prospects do and think. Read more

Dec. 31, 2008 at 11:57am

Does social media have you overwhelmed?

Posted by Kacie McKinney in Choose the Right Target Audience, Strategic Communications, Talking to Members
Comments (2)

Don’t worry, you aren’t the only one left wondering whether your next move is to Tweet, Digg, StumbleUpon or comment.

Maybe you don’t even know what I’m talking about…but your peers are here to help.

Oct. 16, 2008 at 1:16pm

The hipster way to finance

Posted by Kacie McKinney in Choose the Right Target Audience, Differentiation is Key
Comments (1)

What do organic carrots, Macs and The Flaming Lips have in common with credit unions?

Well, a lot actually.

Sep. 9, 2008 at 5:13pm

Banking with Google

Posted by Jamie Chase in Choose the Right Target Audience, Strategic Communications, Talking to Members
Comments (1)

Sensational theory alert: A single press release acts like an advertisement in the phone book in the age of Google. Why? Consumers aren’t using the Yellow Pages like they used to. They are Google-ing.

Consumers use Google to find:

Jun. 10, 2008 at 1:22pm

Three iPhones later Virgin Atlantic stinks of gas

Posted by Jamie Chase in Choose the Right Target Audience, Talking to Members
Comments (1)

I’m on my third iPhone. It’s a great product and I love it. (Sometimes I even sleep with it.) Even better than my romance with the product is Apple’s “in it for the long-haul” commitment to the relationship. My second and third iPhone were free. They were on-site, instant replacements.

The Apple customer service experience was great because:

Apr. 17, 2008 at 1:33pm

Twitter's get out of jail free card

Posted by Jamie Chase in Choose the Right Target Audience, Differentiation is Key, Talking to Members, The Power of Creativity
Comments (2)

The premise behind Twitter is telling people what you’re doing. I’m new to the Twitter-sphere and still figuring out what it means to me, let alone the credit union movement.

Chris Brogan’s blog about it grabbed my attention and didn’t let go.

Apr. 10, 2008 at 1:38pm

Did you miss the shift?

Posted by Kurt Jacobson in Choose the Right Target Audience, Elections, Talking to Members
Comments (1)

I’m a big fan of the research and consumer perspectives from The Hartman Group. Food is their specialty, but their ideas can be applied to credit unions.

For example, look at their recent comparison of traditional culture, passed down from our teachers and authorities, to the consumer culture, which bubbled up and is shaping the way younger credit union prospects receive our message. We must become aware of the differences to change with the times.

Jan. 2, 2008 at 1:53pm

When the right message is received by the wrong audience

Posted by Jamie Chase in Choose the Right Target Audience
No comments

Telling members you shouldn’t be taxed will not attract them to the credit union. Unfortunately, this message often appears on the “What is a credit union?” page. Who is the most likely person to visit this page? Someone learning about a credit union for the first time. This space is prime message area for educating that consumers about the benefits of joining a credit union.

Along those lines, there are many good lessons from our trade associations. CUNA has expert staff dedicated to identifying messages legislators need to hear to understand credit unions. CUNA also changes its message to consumers from its message to legislators and trade associations. Let’s use the Little Guy campaign as an example. That message is for legislators, not consumers.

Dec. 31, 2007 at 1:54pm

What is PR and why does it matter to credit unions?

Posted by Jamie Chase in Choose the Right Target Audience, Elections, Strategic Communications, Talking to Members
No comments

Confusion about public relations is universal. It’s not just spinning a story, getting ink or creating hype - that theory is pretty far removed from credit union ideals and the mission of the movement.

PRSA has a lengthy definition of public relations. The basic point is that PR helps facilitate a rewarding relationship between an organization and its audience.