HUNTSVILLE, Ala. – Everyone wants their own magazine. First Oprah did it, then Rosie and now Redstone Federal Credit Union? That's right, what began as an idea Information Technology Assistant Vice President Teri Bentley had after attending a BAI conference almost two years ago, the $1 billion credit union made reality by teaming up with Smart Computing Magazine to promote its Internet banking services to members. "It was just a great match especially with the magazine being geared toward electronic services," said Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations Pastenna Nunn. "So we took the opportunity to use this as a delivery tool to better educate our members about our bill pay service and not just the benefits but how to actually use it." It was truly a group effort as Bentley pitched the idea to RFCU Vice President of Lending Joe Newberry who then teamed up with Nunn. Once the decision was made, Nunn and RFCU Marketing Coordinator Stephanie Waddell worked with Murphy & Company, an advertising firm associated with Smart Computing and Sand Hills Publishing for six months putting the magazine together. Nunn credits Waddell with coordinating all efforts including gathering the information for the Redstone articles to provide the writer to selecting which advertisements would run in the magazine. In addition to the articles detailing the online branch services and bill pay feature, the 37-page, full color magazine topics range from troubleshooting techniques, and online chaperones, to determining which version of Windows is best and affordable gadgets and accessories. "The greatest benefit of this format is that it gives members a better understanding," said Waddell. "A brochure couldn't really cover it in depth and the magazine's purpose was to break it all down and teach our members." Such creativity did come with a $21,550 price tag with $2,800 for the agency and $18,750 for printing. "So far this is a one-time trial," said Nunn. "We have included member surveys in each magazine and on our Web site for member feedback to see if this is something they would like us to continue. But since it does take six months to pull it altogether-at the most it would be available only twice a year." The 25,000 copies will not only be distributed to SEGs and branches but they will be on display at events and RFCU's primetime seminars. Plans are also underway for Redstone magazine to help further business development and brand recognition among its 218,241 members. [email protected]