SOUTHFIELD, Mich. – The first shared branching network – Service Centers Corporation-is ready for its national marketing debut. Although well known locally and in Washington D.C. since merging with CO-OP Network, the largest credit union owned ATM/EFT network in June, SCC is making the most of its position as the shared branching unit of the newly combined organization with the tagline "Don't do it alone." "We are emphasizing how SCC wants to be your partner in shared branching," said Leigh Marciniak, who is in charge of integrating the marketing strategy for both CO-OP and SCC. After doubling its marketing budget to $700,000, SCC plans to underscore its flexibility in finding solutions for credit union members and leverage the SCC/CO-OP organization, as a "one-stop shop" for all a credit union's delivery/service needs. "Since 1975, when we introduced the first shared branch to the credit union movement, we've provided the most extensive variety of shared branching options," said SCC President/CEO Dan Balagna. "With the recent business combination it is time to extend the message of our unique value to credit unions nationwide." According to Balagna part of SCC's uniqueness revolves around a focus on flexible business model options by offering the following three shared branching solutions: * Stand alone branches offering a neutral environment with service customization for each participating credit union; * Support for credit union proprietary branches as outlets within the network and equally rewarding issuers and acquirers; * Partnership branches in which SCC staffs and manages the outlet for one or more credit unions so that the CU staffers are not "burdened" handling shared branching transactions in addition to regular day-to-day activities. Working together with a local sister company to CO-OP's marketing strategy firm Pacific Communications Group, Marciniak says the first SCC ad features a group of people urging credit unions "to tap the resources of a group of people who can help pull everything together and that you have us to partner with you and you can do it with other credit unions." A second ad in the works plays up the message that "there is an army of SCC staffers ready to help", with employees in "uniform" wearing SCC shirts. "Again we want to let credit unions know that they don't have to keep branching out individually when there is strength in numbers and we want to be that option for them on a national basis," said Marciniak. During this first leg of the marketing blitz SCC has also reshaped its logo to reflect a look and feel similar to CO-OP Network to visually communicate the connection of the two organizations. The new logo incorporates design elements similar to the CO-OP Network red triangle. Ready to be an aggressive national player, SCC will first target those CO-OP Network shareholders that do not offer shared branching. The remainder of 2003 will be dedicated to market research of geographic targeted areas. SCC will unveil its revamped Web site, booth design and print ad during its shareholders meeting May 1. "We know this campaign will take time to build. So if we see new sales of credit unions joining as participants and growth in new markets -that would be our marketing success story," said Marciniak. SCC has processed $2.8 billion in deposits during 2002, serves more than 350 credit unions and provides access to nearly 900 shared branches nationally. [email protected]