COLUMBIA, Md. – The credit union league bandwagon on rolling outcooperative advocacy/awareness ads on TV and radio goes into highgear next month-just in time for the start of state legislatures.The latest to announce ad campaigns are the Maine and MarylandLeagues which report raising donations to start the ad series whichfocus on differences between banks and CUs. Previously, Utahstarted its branding/advocacy “Difference Is You” campaign lastmonth with Oregon debuting an altered version about the same time,all preceding a more expensive radio buy set by theCalifornia/Nevada Leagues also in January. The Maryland CU Leaguesaid it is about half way to raising the $165,000 it needs to airits ad campaign bearing the slogan, “Maryland Credit Unions: Getthe Difference?” Last year a similar campaign brought in $92,000“but this year costs are up and we want to make sure we get themessage out,” in light of threatened banker attacks, said aspokesman. The new ads, according to the league, will try to makeconsumers aware of the threat to tax credit unions. Meanwhile, theMaine League said its TV campaign would begin Jan. 1 withcommercials containing a “there's one for you” slogan, noted JonParadise, the league's governmental and public affairs director.The 30-second spots at a buy of $160,000 were produced by aPortland agency, Catama Film and Video, and are slated to run fromJanuary through April and then again September through November.The league said the spots “are upbeat, attention getting and fun”with a focus on “anyone can use a credit union” while also gettinga better rate than a bank.