Pokémon. It's 2016 and you've still gotta catch 'em all. ThePokémon Go craze is in full force. But what does this have to dowith credit unions? If you can jump on board the craze it's an easyway to create brand awareness. Credit unions, and other businessesfor that matter, are always looking for ways to be heard. Here'syour chance.

Pokémon Go is unique in the fact that it forces users to walkaround in order to advance within the game. Right now people areflocking to Pokégyms and Pokéstops, which are simply differentplaces around town. Literally, public parks are full of people withphones in their hands, eyes glued to the screen, swiping back andforth throwing pokéballs. These people are current members orpotential members.

Vibrant Credit Union is leveraging the Pokémon craze to createbrand awareness and get involved in the community by bringing ourone of a kind ice cream truck to local Pokémon hotspots. Typically,the converted 1974 VW cruises around town handing out free icecream to community members at local business and community events.Lately, it's been spotted at Pokestops and Pokegyms. People show upfor Pokémon and leave with ice cream!

Vibrant uses Facebook to spread the word on where the ice creamtruck will be. First, we find out where the hotspots are with asocial media search. People love to talk and share about theirexperience, which makes it easy to find the favorite local spots.Next we boost the post to Facebook users who are interested inPokémon. This promotes the post to an already engaged crowd. Peoplesee the post and show up to get their Pokémon, check out theVibrant ice cream truck and enjoy a sweet treat.

Throughthis unique approach, we've had an increase in interaction andcreated some real brand awareness to a whole different crowd. Witha memorable enough interaction Pokémon users will think of Vibrantnext time they're at that Pokéstop or Pokégym.

Of course, not every credit union has an ice cream truck. It'sall about finding what works best in each specific situation.Vibrant's ice cream truck made its debut last year, handing outmore than 50,000 pieces of free ice cream to the community. Ourmarketing team uses the truck as a tool to meet new faces and getout in front of the public. It's basically a walking billboard. Theice cream and colorful VW help banking, which is typically a stuffytopic, seem a little more lighthearted and fun.

Vibrant is always proving that banking doesn't have to beboring. This creative marketing strategy is an easy way to get infront of people and start some conversations. We're constantlylooking for new and fun ways to create an experience with thecommunity. Combining our ice cream truck with Pokémon Go is a greatopportunity to do just that.

Danielle Blocker is marketing coordinator for Vibrant CreditUnion. She can be reached at 309-796-4087 or [email protected].