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06/03/2008

Special announcement: Is your credit union Young & Free? It can be

By Tim McAlpine

If you have been reading our blog for any length of time, you will have certainly heard about Young & Free! It is an integrated marketing program that combines a microsite, social media and traditional marketing all centered around a Generation Y spokesperson search in conjunction with the launch of a youth-specific banking product.

Since launching the program last Fall with our founding partner, Alberta's Common Wealth Credit Union, it has exceeded all sales, marketing and PR goals in the ensuing eight months. There are now more than 1,900 Young & Free Checking Account holders in a credit union of just 52,000 members.

After months of planning including legal, trademark and licensing details, I am excited to announce that the Young & Free program is now available to credit unions throughout North America.

How will it work?

One credit union in each US state and Canadian province will follow in Common Wealth's foot steps. We will help these courageous organizations launch this exciting youth-centered program in their marketplace. And in states and provinces where no single credit union is able to take on the program, we will offer an exclusive license to a league or a small group of non-competing credit unions. Banks cannot participate.

Why go beyond Alberta?

It goes right to our purpose as a company. Simply put, it is our purpose to help credit unions deepen their relationships with members and persuade bank customers to become credit union members.

Credit unions desparately need to engage and attract young people. Young & Free is doing just that for Common Wealth Credit Union. We can imagine a day when the Young & Free program has helped credit unions add tens of thousands of members to the credit union movement.

But isn't there only one Larissa?

Larissa Walkiw is the 2008 Y&F Alberta Spokesperson and she is doing a phenominal job at creating content and connecting with young people in Northern Alberta. Click here to view some of her exceptional video work.

Larissa is definitely one of kind. She is a wonderful multi-talented young woman. However, we believe that Generation Y is filled with extremely talented young people that are capable of excelling in their own way. Young & Free is a platform that gives young people the freedom and support to be the voice of their generation in their own region and in their own words and style.

I have to agree with Ron Shevlin's reaction to Larissa's The Difference Between Banks and Credit Unions - Part 1, "Every CU marketer in North America should be looking at this video and yelling at their agency 'Find me a Larissa!'"

Can you imagine the collective creative output and meaningful dialogue that all of these Young & Free Spokespeople will generate? It will be amazing!

Thanks for being a part of Young & Free from the get go

I want to personally thank everyone in the credit union blog-o-sphere. The encouragement and attention that has been given to Young & Free is overwhelming.

I must also thank Jeff Mulligan and the leadership team from Common Wealth Credit Union. Through their vision, courage and selflessness, we are able to roll out this exciting program beyond the Alberta borders. Now that's the cooperative spirit that I love credit unions for!

What are the steps to get involved?

I encourage you to explore these links to determine if this initiative is right for your credit union.

+ Click here for an official press release
+ Click here for an 8.5 x 11 info sheet
+ Click here to see if your credit union is a fit

I am so excited to see this next chapter unfold! We already have a number of confirmed partners—will your credit union be next?

Comments

1) Tony Mannor @ Jun 03, 2008
http://cuhype.com

This is excellent news. I wish you and your team all the best.

I cant wait to see a local credit union make this happen again!

2) Danielle @ Jun 03, 2008

this is fantastic! Ok, but I have to wonder -- what was the overall budget allocated to the original Young and Free program? Just trying to figure out if I need to get crackin' on a grant application of some sort.

3) Jeffry Pilcher @ Jun 03, 2008
http://www.thefinancialbrand.com

@Danielle - The good news is that unit #1 is always the most expensive version of a new innovation. So whatever amount it was, you probably won't need that much. :)

(Apologies to Tim if he planned on doubling his price - lol/jk ;)

4) benry @ Jun 03, 2008
http://www.benry.net/blog/

Good on ya Tim for sharing the success with other CU's. Hope some take the chance and bite at it.

5) Jas @ Aug 08, 2008

I think the idea is great! Kudos to you all!

There are already credit unions (and I'm sure banks) that are already ripping this idea off with I'm sure much less success than this.

For instance, in Texas: www.mylifemymoney.org

6) DeAndre' Upshaw @ Sep 11, 2008

If you're wondering how Young & Free Texas is faring, feel free to mosey on over to http://www.youngfreetexas.com/blog/APPLICANT-DeAndre-Upshaw-is-our-first-applicant-for-the-Young-and-Free-Spokesperson and leave a comment on my video, or one of the other competing videos!

Right on, DeAndre’

7) DeAndre' @ Oct 15, 2008
http://www.youngfreetexas/com

Hey guys!

If you want to know how the competition is progressing, I am one of the finalists for the spokesperson position!

Now its up to all of you fantastic people to go to http://www.youngfreetexas.com/ and cast your vote! Of course, I’d love it if you voted for me, but look at all of the candidates body of work, and decide!

I look forward to your comments and votes! You can get more information from me by emailing me at DeAndre_Upshaw@baylor.edu!

8) Myles Peterman @ Oct 18, 2008

Hey guys!

Its Myles and I was recently named one of three finalists to be the 2009 Young and Free Alberta Spokester!

Please check out the site and follow the below links to vote for whoever you think is best suited for the position (hopefully you believe that is me).

All the candidates have worked really hard so any and all support is highly appreciated!

Join the group: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=33560561471

Make a vote: http://www.youngfreealberta.com/Vote-for-Myles

Thank you so much!

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Special announcement: Is your credit union Young & Free? It can be

How will it work?

Why go beyond Alberta?

But isn't there only one Larissa?

Thanks for being a part of Young & Free from the get go

What are the steps to get involved?

Comments

Add a comment

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