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Rhinelander chamber notes Park City CU’s ‘Buzz’

MERRILL, WI (January 29, 2014) — Park City CU last week was named the 2013 Rhinelander Professional and Industrial Business of the Year by the Rhinelander (Wis.) Chamber of Commerce. Among the reasons for the recognition was Park City CU’s ability to reach the community through Buzz Points, a merchant-funded debit loyalty program that rewards members for shopping local.

“When they listed the reason for our nomination, they specifically mentioned Buzz Points and our cash mobs,” said Melissa Wrycha, vice president of sales and marketing of the $142 million-asset credit union.

Buzz Points is a CUNA Strategic Services provider.

Buzz Points helps the Merrill, Wis.-based credit union coalesce its membership to form cash mobs and support local charities. Through its “Cash Mobs for a Cause,” the credit union uses local advertising, radio and social media to invite local consumers to shop at a local merchant for two hours. For every consumer who visits the merchant, the credit union donates $1 to a local non-profit of the merchants choosing.

Credit union members who are participants in the free program earn points on their transactions that can be redeemed for local gift cards, cash cards and donations.

The merchants also give the Park City CU word-of-mouth advertising. “They’re talking about us to their customers, telling them how much they appreciate that we bought into the Buzz Points program,” Wrycha told News Now. “That’s a real benefit, especially if they talk to customers who don’t currently have a checking account or loan with us.”


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