Young & Free Program Announced
Oct 4, 2007 
CU Newswire | By Donna-Lane Nelson
Many CUs talk about reaching the young, but often use the same old methods as they do for other generations. Common Wealth CU (CWCU) came up with a really original idea that involves using the internet to find a paid spokesperson for 17-25 year olds. They created a new website www.youngfreealberta.com, which gives the youth a platform for two-way communication. It was launched 3 October.
Young & Free began as an idea for an unlimited chequing account and quickly grew to encompass an entire membership offering, complete with a vast array of features, including an interactive microsite with fun facts and figures that connects young people to CWCU and each other through weekly and bi-weekly polls and blogs, some finance-related; others relative to pop culture.
Young & Free members will be able to apply and vote for the first Young & Free spokesperson to represent the 17 to 25-year-old market. The spokesperson contest is open to anyone between the ages of 19 and 25 who possesses the knowledge and ability to connect with his or her peers. Aspirants must upload a video telling about themselves. One is already on the site.
The winning spokesperson will be announced 10 December 2007. S/he will get:
- a $30,000 annual salary (20 hours per week)
- a new vehicle (with gas)
- a MacBook computer (with Internet access)
- a digital camcorder and camera
- a smart phone
The winner will be the ambassador to connect young people to Young & Free information, events and fun and will help CWCU to provide the best services to future generations.
CEO Jeff Mulligan uploaded his own video explaining the program, but he was not afraid to put the out takes on the site as well. Their radio spots to advertise the program can be heard on the site.
To reach Generation X and Generation Y, CWCU is using the tools that this demographic group considers everyday actions like eating lunch. One posting is already on the site and it said: "I'm 22 and I love this Young & Free thing you are doing. Finally a financial institution that is trying to at least understand where we are coming from. This will be fun to watch unfold."
CWCU serves 52,000 members in 14 communities has 400 employees and $1.6 billion in assets.
