Co-op advertising in metro District of Columbia with an emphasis on safety and awareness is getting a big boost from credit unions this fall with a $180,000 radio, bus and Web campaign that will be launched this week.Representatives of the Maryland/District of Columbia Credit Union Association and the Virginia Credit Union League expressed newfound enthusiasm for joint ads funded by a record number of CUs-54-and being placed at a time of continued public uncertainty over financial choices.The MDCCU has being doing co-op commercials for the last five years, but this is the first time CUs in northern Virginia were solicited as well as others in the Baltimore/D.C. corridor. The ad campaign is designed to give CU advocacy a stronger punch under the slogan, "What's In It For Me."Apart from the 30-second radio ads and bus signage, the joint effort scheduled to run through mid-November. It also includes CU participation in regional consumer events, concerted public relations activities and collateral materials for members, the MDCCA said.Paul Rosenberger, chief services officer of the trade group, said CU leaders throughout the area are encouraged the public will be receptive to a CU message about "picking the credit union as a financial option" during troubled times. The co-op campaign based its findings on new polling statistics from Garin-Hart-Yang Research of Washington as well as surveys undertaken by its agency, Target Media of Harrisburg, Pa. –[email protected]