Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend

This week I had the honor of traveling up to Washington, DC to accept national awards for my creative work. Back in the fall I submitted two campaigns to the Credit Union National Association for their Diamond Awards contest, and both campaigns ended up being first-place winners (aka Diamonds) in their categories! The Diamond Awards had over 1,000 submissions and 34 categories. Two for two - not bad! Makes me think I should've submitted more ...

Here I am with my Diamond Awards. Unfortunately this is the only photo that came out from the evening. They did whisk me off to have professional photos taken but I have yet to see those!


COMPLETE CAMPAIGN category
This campaign was called "Gary Takes It Easy." I illustrated the character, Gary, and then brought him to life with photos, Facebook, and Twitter, as well as created a direct mail series, web graphics, signs, banners, posters, a trade show display board, and a newsletter centerfold about his story. I had him printed as a life-size cardboard cut-out so he could travel around and promote Entrust Federal Credit Union at different events. He has become an icon for Entrust now and at every event people want their pictures taken with Gary! Search for "Entrust Gary" on Facebook and Twitter to see more.


SINGLE PR EVENT category
This campaign was for an event called 20Cents that I created to help promote financial stewardship for 20-somethings. (For 20-somethings, by 20-somethings.) I did everything from putting together the committee to designing all the marketing materials and website to executing the event. We had live music, breakout sessions, a catered dinner, and game night. The Religious Herald published an article about it, and American Family Radio interviewed me about the event, which you can listen to by clicking here!