The success of BECU's viral University of Washington gold debit card campaign featuring famous UW alumni singing the school's fight song may have some credit unions searching for some star power as well. But Sean McDonald, chairman of the CUNA Marketing & Business Development Council, suggests taking a strategic pause first.

“Look, the pros of having a big name star are pretty obvious,” said McDonald, who is chief marketing officer and director of business development for Liberty Savings Federal Credit Union. “You think any credit union wouldn't want Oprah as a spokesperson? When you see what she's does for the authors in her book club, can you imagine if someone with that kind of star power advocates a particular credit union or the industry as a whole?”

Some of the challenges, he said range from the costs involved for that celebrity spokesperson and the ability to commit to the credit union reputation.