Watertown Savings Bank employees after winning an NEFMA award. From left to right: AVP, Branch Manager Bill Burgess; VP Marketing Carole Katz; AVP, Call Center Manager Troy Joseph; AVP, Main Office Branch Manager Antonia O’Hara; AVP Operations Manager Jan Viglirolo; VP, Operations Lisa Nichols; Community Relations Manager Kelly Cronin; VP, Investment Executive Sandy Penchansky; Business Development Manager George Bargamian; and Compliance Manager Robyn Alman
Watertown Savings Bank won First Place in the Public Relations-Events category at the New England Financial Marketing Association (NEFMA) Awards Night.
NEFMA is an independent organization consisting of over 300 marketing professionals from banks, credit unions and financial service companies throughout New England. The awards were held in January at the Crown Plaza Boston-Natick.
WSB submitted their Watertown Strong campaign, which was developed in reaction to the successful capture of the Boston Marathon bombing suspect that occurred in Watertown in April 2013.
WSB Vice President of Marketing Carole Katz was honored to accept the award on behalf of the Bank and its employees.
“We wanted to demonstrate our gratitude and pride, not only to the first-responders, but also to the Watertown community for their cooperation during that time,” said Katz.
The Bank handed out thousands of Watertown Strong decals; had Watertown Strong banners hanging at Watertown branch locations; created Watertown Strong t-shirts for the staff to wear at community events and on casual days; sponsored numerous events celebrating first responders; and were the sole sponsor of the 2014 commemorative calendar featuring the Watertown Strong spirit.
“The Watertown Strong campaign illustrates the important role community banks play in helping their communities come together in times of crisis and celebration,” Katz said.