Myles Peterman

By Joyce Moed, Reporter

ALBERTA, Canada–Common Wealth Credit Union has named Myles Peterman, 18 the winner of its 2009 Young & Free Spokester search. Peterman, 18, from Edmonton, Alberta proved he best represents 17- to 25-year-olds by securing the vast majority of votes in a weeklong battle for what the previous spokester called, “the most fun and rewarding job a person can ever have.”

Peterman, an aspiring actor and filmmaker, secured votes with his aggressive online campaign where he posted blogs on the Young & Free website, www.youngfreealberta.com and on YouTube, Flickr and Twitter. With a Facebook group of more than 300 members and videos Young & Free began in fall 2007 as a way for Common Wealth Credit Union to appeal to younger members that included a search for a young spokester to engage young people with creative videos and open dialogue online. The Young & Free initiative has since won the credit union a Forrester Research Groundswell Award in addition to a number of credit union industry awards.

Common Wealth Credit Union is a $1.8 billion CU with 53,000 members.

For info:  www.commonwealthcu.net or www.youngfreealberta.com for more information.

CU Journal: Why did you want to become the Young & Free spokesperson?

Peterman: I wanted to become the Y&F spokesperson because I feel that the youth of Northern Alberta need strong representation, and because the job duties, which include blogging and film making, are two things I want to explore in a future career once a new spokester is on board. I can only hope that the youth feel I am a strong representative, and I will do all I can to both entertain them while at the same time educating them about this whole new financial world we all eventually adopt.

CUJ: How many votes did you receive?

Peterman: The votes were posted on the website, and I received 48% of the vote. Jenna Mae Togado and James Morrison both are outstanding people and were incredible friendly competition.

CUJ: What will you do in your role as the spokesperson?

Peterman: My duties as spokester are to create blogs, videos, podcasts, and visit events where my fellow youngsters will be. All of these job aspects have the aim to entertain, but of course educating people in my Generation Y age bracket is what I hope to achieve.

CUJ: What do you hope to accomplish in this role?

Peterman: First and foremost to provide a place where people my age can come and enjoy their stay. youngfreealberta.com is where I'll be blogging and putting all of my creations that will entertain people my age. I hope that people will come and stay at the website, enjoy it, and be educated in the terrifying topic of finance all at once.

CUJ: What was the process from time of application to the time you were selected as the winner?

Peterman: The process was a little different for everyone. All that Young & Free required from us was an application video, and an initial bog entry. We could then take it upon ourselves to do whatever we could do. I really took that to heart and put as much into it as I could. Then it was narrowed down to the final three, which made me really kick it into high gear as far as posting content goes. Then eventually they surprised me with the job offer, and a video of that is posted on