LATHRUP VILLAGE, Mich., April 27, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Michigan First Credit Union (http://www.MichiganFirst.com) today announced the winner of its Young & Free Michigan Spokester contest, a search launched in an effort to find the best spokesperson to help lead the financial literacy charge with Generation Y. Janelle O'Hara prevailed in a very close online vote to earn the coveted position. Check out the Young & Free website to view her YouTube videos and blog submissions which showcase her passionate and vivacious personality along with her creativity, ability to connect with her peers and tech-savvy skills.

"The purpose of Young & Free Michigan is to create relationships with members of Gen Y by providing useful information to manage their finances independently," said Linda Douglas, vice president of marketing for Michigan First. "Janelle is the perfect person to serve as the face of Young & Free Michigan and we are confident that her energy, enthusiasm and creativity will engage and motivate her peers as they transition to adulthood."

O'Hara will be representing Generation Y (ages 18 to 25) as the "Spokester" (spokesperson) for Michigan First's new Young & Free Michigan program. Young & Free Michigan creates engagement and ongoing relationships with members of Gen Y by providing useful information to manage their finances independently; a voice for this generation through a paid Spokester; a dedicated website (www.YoungFreeMichigan.com), where O'Hara will provide entertaining content, helpful advice and financial literacy through her blogs and videos; and a head start through Michigan First's First Gear account.

O'Hara is a recent graduate of Lawrence Technological University where she majored in media communications with a concentration on television and video production. She currently resides in Eastpointe, Mich.

"Having competed against such a talented field of candidates, it is a huge honor to have been voted in as the first Young & Free Michigan Spokester," O'Hara said. "This program has such great potential to connect with Generation Y, and I am so excited to be a part of that."

The Young & Free Michigan program started in late February 2011, with a call for creative young adults between the ages of 18 and 25 to apply for the "ultimate job" as the Young & Free Michigan Spokester. Applicants were challenged to showcase their ability to relate to Generation Y while demonstrating their creative tech-savvy. After carefully analyzing YouTube and blog submissions from 30 applicants, and hosting an energetic and rigorous "Show Us Your Stuff" event, Michigan First narrowed the field to three finalists who represent the best of the best. The finalists' fate was ultimately put in the public's hands as the winner was determined by an online vote at Young & Free Michigan. O'Hara was selected after a 10-day online voting period that garnered nearly 3,000 total votes between the three finalists.

About Michigan First Credit Union

Based in Lathrup Village, Mich., Michigan First Credit Union is one of the leading technology-focused credit unions in metro Detroit. The rapidly growing, full-service financial institution serves more than 86,000 members and has more than $570 million in assets. Founded in 1926 as the Detroit Teachers Credit Union, Michigan First has since expanded to serve those who live, work or worship in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties, as well as local businesses. Michigan First is committed to continuously investing in its members, the community, youth and financial literacy initiatives and providing members with the latest in banking technology and services. For more information, visit http://www.MichiganFirst.com.

To stay updated on news, events and more, follow Michigan First on Twitter at http://www.Twitter.com/MichiganFirstCU or "Like" Michigan First on Facebook http://www.Facebook.com/MichiganFirstCreditUnion.  

SOURCE Michigan First Credit Union