WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Given the increasingly aggressive financial services landscape, credit unions are constantly challenged to develop innovative ways to stand out. The year 2001 marks the CU brand push where marketing is pivotal in helping today's credit unions differentiate themselves from the competition. Today's CU promotional materials must simultaneously develop, maintain and effectively communicate a credit union's powerful, unique brand while alerting consumers of the many products and services CUs offer. According to CUNA & Affiliates Credit Union Executive Journal's Marketing by the Numbers survey report, direct mail pieces and newsletters account for the largest share of marketing dollars spent -roughly 20% each. Here is a look at the imaginative and artistic ways CUs are spreading their message: [email protected]