Who else better to interview for TNGG than a fellow Gen Y, career woman, and outspoken blogger?  Melanie Danko is the epitome of Gen Y’s “have-it-all” approach to life.  She’s got the career, the lifestyle, the smarts, and still makes time to be a girl and have some fun.  Read on to figure out how she does it, why she does it, and her version of living out loud.

1. Who the heck is Melanie Danko?

I’m 21 years old.  I live, work, play, and study in New York City.  I like cupcakes and I’m addicted to “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” Rachel Zoe terrifies me but I’m still kind of obsessed with her, her wardrobe and her propensity for inventing words and quirky phrases.

2. You’ve taken an untraditional route in your education.  What did you do and why did you do it?

I began my education at Villanova and ultimately transferred to Northeastern University. I fell in love with Boston and chose Northeastern for it’s location and well-known co-op program. After switching my major multiple times, still unsure what I wanted to do, I went on co-op in July of 2009.  I was lucky to find a job using my own resources and connections at L’Oreal USA in New York City.  I moved out to NYC, not even have spent there more than four nights in the city in my life.  I fell in love with my work and realized that my passion for business and marketing. I dreaded the classroom, had never been able to focus or succeed.  I was always that “B-” student, just squeaking by. However, in the workplace, I thrive.  The thought of going back to campus and falling into my same routines in school was draining. After talking with some advisors and Northeastern and some amazing senior management at L’Oreal, we found an alternative. I have enrolled in an 18-month online program that allows me to continue working full-time at L’Oreal and still obtain my degree. It’s a lot of work ahead of me, but I’m ready and excited for it.

3. So you work for Redken… what’s that like? What do you do there?

Redken is one of L’Oreal’s many brands and it’s the brand that inspires me, stylists and millions of consumers daily.  I currently work in Redken’s Education Development and will continue my internship in Interactive Marketing.   My responsibilities include competitive analysis, assisting management on any projects, writing releases for magazines and, probably the coolest function of my job, updating the company twitter. I have the pleasure of creating all content that comes out of @Redken5thAvenue under my penname “Madison.”

4. You’re barely 21 and working at Fortune 500 company.  So clearly jobs are available.  What would you say to job seeking grads on how to succeed early?

I never thought I would be in a Fortune 500. Like I said, I struggled in the classroom and people like to make you think that if you can’t succeed in school then you can’t succeed in life. This is just not true! If you have the ambition and enthusiasm you can succeed where you want. Push for your job, call, follow-up, and network. Be gracious in your endeavors and seek out mentors who have the future and qualities you look up to.

5. You work long hours. Why?

When you’re at the starting point in your career you have to make an impression. Some of the hardest workers are the ones on the “lowest rungs” of the corporate ladder. If you don’t make your ambition clear in the beginning then you’ll be looked over in the future.  I also have to work hard because I have a second job assisting with the launch of a major iPhone application called KnockingLive. It has been an incredible ride, helping them with PR, branding, and marketing. That stuff requires putting in the extra hours as well.

6. What is your view on branding and marketing to your consumers?  How should big brands (like Redken) reach their consumers personally while maintaining a clear and consistent message?

Twitter has been a great resource to humanize the Redken brand. The embrace of social media allows companies to become friends with their consumers and an easy resource to them.  Redken utilizes Facebook, YouTube and Twitter to talk to their consumers and give a more personal and inside look into the brand.  The social media outlets stay consistent with the Redken vision and provide inspiration and a look into the professional edge of Redken.

7. You also write for a very high traffic blog. What got you into this?

It’s funny, I was blogging before it was even called blogging, when we called it LiveJournaling.  I’ve always been passionate about writing, especially humor pieces. Sort of like Jen Lancaster-type humor.  After showing some writing to a friend, I was encouraged to start writing for the website that I write for now, CollegeCandy.  It’s a great way for me to be creative and to consistently write and has given me some fantastic opportunities.  A lot of people tease bloggers, but without my ties to the website I would have never gotten to do amazing things like interview on the MTV VMA Red Carpet or be a VIP at Fashion Week.

8. Do you need to keep your corporate jobs and personal hobbies separate?  How do you do this?

Definitely! It’s great to be immersed in work, but everyone needs time for themselves. I try and keep my weekends open to explore New York and work on creative projects or spend time with friends. A great way to keep your head out of work all the time is to keep a group of friends who have nothing to do with your job. As much as I love my work, there are some Friday nights where I just want unwind and spend time not talking about work.

9. What are the top 3 reasons you aspire to be a Fortune 500 exec?  You recently wrote a beautiful piece on this.

1. There are not enough female executives, still. We’re approaching 2010 and there’s more than enough room for women to excel in the corporate world. It’s time to break the ugly stereotypes that exist today and put more women in the top positions.

2. I aspire to a top position to keep myself motivated and working harder. If I have something to look forward to it keeps me going.

3. I know I can do it and do it well.

10. Word of wisdom to new career Gen Y’s?

Be yourself. Stay genuine and gracious, don’t let anything stand in your way or anyone tell you “no.”

If you want more of Melanie, you can follow her on Twitter: @tinkermellie.

Dylan's Fiesta

Earlier this year, Ford Motor Company announced a social media experiment which drew over 4,000 applications. At the end of April 2009, 4,000 were narrowed down to the one hundred who would represent what was called the Fiesta Movement. These hundred people were given the title of Agents in this movement, and, with that title, obtained a brand new Ford Fiesta well in advance of its 2010 US launch. Over the ensuing six months Agents received free gas and insurance in return for sharing their experience in the car with their social networks. Today, we’re featuring an interview with Agent 96, Dylan Klymenko.

Q:  What made you want to join the Ford Fiesta movement?

Honestly? It was the thought of having a car again. While I was in college my younger brother totaled my car once he reached driving age. Granted, the auto was a year younger than me, so we got some good miles out of it. Still, when I returned back home after graduating, that left me with nothing but a few area friends to rely on for my transportation. My life almost had to be planned around their schedule, otherwise I would have been a burden. In a way, I viewed the movement as a chance to regain my independence in a big way, and, from what I heard, have fun while doing it.

Q:  How hard was it to become one of the 100 participants?

This might be a question best fielded by Action Marketing Group since they coordinated the whole thing, but I can give you my side of it. Pretty hard. There were over 4,000 people that applied for this contest. To be chosen as one of the hundred from the selection process that followed is a miracle–I usually have problems when my odds are fifty-fifty!

Q:  What specifically did you have to do to get in?

The first requirement was to create a 2-5 minute video explaining why you deserve the Ford Fiesta. Seeing as I didn’t have a car anymore, I decided to play off that idea in a fun way. I grabbed two of my friends for it and we shot it all in one afternoon. When I sent the video I also included a form I had to fill with general information including interests and involvement with social media. The second phase was a phone interview and an incredibly rigorous background check. Thankfully, I wasn’t the one who totaled my old car. They wanted someone with a record as clean as untracked snow. This seemed extreme at first, but I immediately recognized the logistics they were dealing with. I mean, they’re planning to give out a car–it made perfect sense.

Q: Did that exercise alone make a good impression on you?

When it came to the video entry all I could think was, “Man, that was a lot of fun.” Even if it never worked out, I would’ve been happy that I gathered my friends, made a video, and had a blast while doing it. As a student of marketing and advertising, I was also impressed with how things were handled in the initial stages; their questions were poignant and they knew they were seeking people with a balance of personality and, what I guess could be called online credibility.

Q:  You had assignments each month?  What did you get out of them?

The assignments were great! They were called Monthly Missions. There were six in all and each month had it’s own unique theme (Travel, Technology, Style/Design, Social Activism, Adventure, and Entertainment). The system worked in a way that provided a huge list of suggested missions given the theme of that month. This list was compiled by Mission Control (MC) and each of the 100 agents was assigned a direct contact at MC. Of course, these missions were first come, first served. So you always tried to finish your last mission soon enough to have first grabs at the next month.

This experience was made a million times richer by the missions. They forced you to reconsider the area around you and involve yourself in activities you’ve never done before. I took my first road trip to Philly, eating as many cheesesteaks as my friends and I could stand. I investigated speakeasy bars in NYC–something I never would have considered before the fiestamovement. I got involved with a children’s organization called AmericaSCORES and was able to help tell their story to potential donors. And, all things being cyclical, I returned to Philly for my last mission, attending Game Four of the playoffs with the Dodgers. In case you missed it, this game was incredibly dramatic. It felt like a movie, which worked for me since I usually root for the best story rather than any specific team.

Not to mention, I learned how to drive stick.

Q:   How important was the community?   Did you have contact and interaction with each other?  Did that shape your opinion of the program?

Definitely. Some agents more than others, but overall there was a community factor. It can’t be helped when you’re one of 100, you’re like an endangered species–you look out for each other, listen to what you’re all doing. It was so cool to play part in this community since it was filled with diverse people all over the country. One of the agents was a host for a show I used to watch on G4TV. It still baffles me that this program connected so many of us.

Q:   Prior to the experience, what was your opinion about Ford and its cars?

I wasn’t what you’d call a Ford enthusiast, but I wasn’t a hater either. I felt sort of blah about them and most car companies. To tell the truth, I never felt like any car company prior to this identified with me. Sure, some of the companies had cool commercials that I enjoyed, but their cars were way out of my price range given my situation or just didn’t feel very me. I know that’s weird to say, but it’s true.

Q:   Did the experience change your perception about the Ford brand or the company?

Though I was blah before the experience, I was not blah about the Fiesta. It actually looked pretty sexy and this experience brought all the pieces together. Now I feel more positive about Ford as a company and the car itself. In my eyes, this helped set them apart from the phrase “Big 3.”

Q:   If you were brand manager, would you attempt to replicate this program?

Yes, but a carbon copy cannot expect the same press impact. This was the first program of its kind for a car company. That alone aided in the buzz it received. However, this contest has the ability to be repeated in the same way Doritos has done with its SuperBowl contest: by upping the ante. The importance is to keep it fresh and fun with every reincarnation. After all, what better way to excite and influence a specific market than to let them experience your product and share that experience with others?

Q:     Any advice for Ford as to how to make a better car?

Every month we gave them feedback. I was very candid regarding things I found lovable and loathsome with the vehicle. Overall, it’s a solid product and most of my dislikes were minor. For example, at night when you open the back door, there’s no light to illuminate the interior, so you can’t see a thing. Another minor gripe I had was with the power window’s one-click function (this allows you one press for it to roll all the way down or up). I felt this function should apply for all windows, not just the driver’s.

Of course, I also recommend they remember to innovate. The cannot rest on the laurels of their current WOW factors: Door lock key-sensor, voice-controlled climate/radio/phone, push button start; they’re all cool, but overtime we’ll come to expect them as standard and we’ll be looking for something new.

Q:   What was it like to have to give the car back?

Sad. My whole summer was in that car. And, I didn’t cry…it’s just, something got caught in my eye–both of them–at the same time.

Q:    What kind of car are you driving now?

I wouldn’t call it a “car” as much as, “my left and right leg.” Now I’ll be walking a lot more, using the train, and relying on friends again. I might consider leasing something, but I’m not exactly a wealthy man at the moment.

Interview

For the first edition of The Next Great Generation, NGG figured it would interview itself, ask some questions, and offer some answers.

Q:  Congratulations on the launch of TNGG.
A:  Congratulations are a little premature, but thanks.
Q:  Can you tell us what you’re trying to do?
A:  Sure.  The idea is simple.  Give Millennial Generation writers between the ages of 18 and 25 a chance to express ourselves, get published, build followers, and collectively be the voice of our generation rather than leave it up to researchers, marketers and TV screenwriters to define us.  Ideally, the content we offer up might give brands, politicians, academics and others an insight into who we are and what we think.
Q:  Why 18—25?  Isn’t this generation anyone born between 1978 and 2000?
A:   We figured this is the group that would benefit from having the stage and the spotlight.  We’re old enough to have opinions and something to say, but young enough that we have yet to establish ourselves.
Q:  Where are you finding your writers?
A:  Right how we’re inviting anyone to join us who can write and has something say.  We have a few too many Northeast, college-educated white writers on our roster, but that will change.  Once we get this thing up, generate some buzz and word of mouth, we’re hoping for a lot more content.
Q:  Are you paying for content?
A:  Compensation will come in the form of fame and glory.  We hope.
Q:  Why will an older generation of marketers, brands, employers or others want to read TNGG.
A:  They might learn something.  Why we respond to brands, how we make decisions, the ways in which we embrace and use technology, our views on everything from the economic meltdown to Adderall.  We won’t spell out answers or a formula on how to engage with us, but if you read the diverse opinions we hope to offer there may be something worth knowing.
Q:  Do you think this will narrow the gaps between generations?
A:  Those gaps aren’t as wide as they used to be, but everything about our society separates us.  Where we live, our position in the workplace.  Digital experiences can close that gap.
Q:  Can you make money with this?
A:  Well Chris Anderson says you have to give stuff away for free.  But we have some long-term ideas.  We’ll see.
Q:  T-shirts?
A:  And hats.  But we’re thinking bigger than that.
Q:  Maybe the next TED conference?
A:  Not quite that big.  We’ll have to prove ourselves first.

Photo Credit: larskflem