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T H U R S D A Y , M A R C H 1 6 , 2 0 0 6
New TV Spots Available for Upcoming Ad Blitz | Herndon Scholarship Award Winner Announced | Join FEMA Head for Flood Workshop | ACSR Scholarships Available | New InVEST and Diversity Coordinator on Board | Banking on Big "I" Markets | Real Estate Agents E&O Marketing Tool Available | Finish AUGIE Survey, Win $100 | Industry News
T R U S T E D C H O I C E ®
New TV Spots Available for Upcoming Ad Blitz
Just in time for the Trusted Choice® Month 2006 (May) advertising blitz, a newly produced Trusted Choice® TV commercial and an updated version of the brand program’s existing TV spots are now available to participating agencies.
These new and updated ads are great tools to advertise your agency’s Trusted Choice® affiliation to local consumers during Trusted Choice® Month and other times throughout the year.
The new TV ad—titled "What’s Important to You?"—features Big "I" CEO Bob Rusbuldt espousing the benefits Trusted Choice® independent insurance agents provide consumers. The ad directly links independent agents and Trusted Choice® and also clearly communicates to consumers that Trusted Choice® agencies provide choice of companies as well as expert counsel on insurance and financial services—benefits research shows consumers want from their insurance provider.
This new ad comes in two versions:
· A 30-second spot that directs consumers to www.TrustedChoice.com to find a local agency; and
· A 25/5-second commercial with a five-second area to place your agency’s name and contact information.
To acquire this new spot, click here to access the "Advertising" section in the password-protected "Agents/Brokers" area of the Trusted Choice® Web site. You will need your agency username and password to gain access to this section (e-mail TrustedChoice@iiaba.net if you need your agency login information).
Once online, you can preview the two versions of the new ad and download the DG Systems work order form. Complete this form and fax it to DG Systems at 202-547-3987 to place your order.
The existing spot—titled "Ways to Choose"—was re-recorded with a new announcer.
The usage rights for the prior version of the "Ways to Choose" commercial have expired and thus the spot should not be used. As such, it is important for agencies that previously acquired the original version of this ad to discontinue using it and to order the updated version for their local TV advertising campaigns.
The "Ways to Choose" ad also comes in two versions:
· A 30-second spot that directs consumers to www.TrustedChoice.comto find a local agency; and
· A 25/5-second commercial with a five-second area to place your agency’s name and contact information.
If your agency previously acquired the original version of this ad, Trusted Choice® will pay the cost to purchase this updated version. To qualify, you must provide Trusted Choice® documentation of your purchase of the original ad (i.e. DG Systems invoice or receipt, or credit card statement listing payment to DG Systems).
Click here to preview the updated "Ways to Choose" spot and to download the DG Systems work order form.
Trusted Choice® Month 2006 will feature nearly 250 cable TV ads on CNN, FoxNews, ESPN, Home & Garden Television, The Food Network and The Fine Living Channel—networks that connect with the Trusted Choice® target audience by appealing to their interest in sports, news, home, food and travel. Click here to view the Trusted Choice Month advertising schedule. Click here to review articles about how to conduct local TV, radio and print advertising campaigns. For more information about the new and updated Trusted Choice TV ads or the Trusted Choice Month 2006 ad flight, contact Jeff Myers at 800-221-7917; jeff.myers@iiaba.net.
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N L C & C
Herndon Scholarship Award Winner Announced
The Big "I" National Young Agents Committee named Bryan Clinkscales, an Arkansas young agent with Boone-Ritter Insurance in Springdale, the recipient of the 2006 $1,000 Maurice Herndon Scholarship. Young agents who have not attended a Big "I" National Legislative Conference in the past were encouraged to submit a 250 to 500 word essay explaining why they should be considered for the award. The National YAC extends its thanks to all the young agents who participated in this year’s competition. For more information about the Young Agents events taking place during the Big "I" National Legislative Conference & Convention, contact Leslie Mularski at 800-221-7917; leslie.mularski@iiaba.net. Click here to register today.
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Join FEMA Head for Flood Workshop
Flood insurance is an issue at the forefront of everyone’s minds, and the NLC&C provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear from the country’s top flood insurance experts. David Maurstad, acting director of the mitigation division and federal insurance administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s National Flood Insurance Program, will introduce the CE workshop "Bridge Over Troubled Waters: How to Sell and Service Flood Insurance," which will discuss flood insurance in the wake of the recent devastating hurricanes and flooding events. On April 28, attendees will learn about agent education mandates, program statistics, market potential, policy provisions, coverage, definitions and E&O concerns. Participants will discuss recent updates and changes in legislation.
Maurstad was appointed acting director of FEMA's Mitigation Division and acting Federal Insurance Administrator in June 2004. He provides leadership for some of the nation’s leading multi-hazard risk reduction programs, which seek to secure the homeland from hazards both natural and manmade. His areas of oversight include the National Flood Insurance Program, the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program, the National Dam Safety Program and the National Hurricane Program. Maurstad will discuss agent education mandates, NFIP program reforms and more.
Larry Palmer, Big "I" national marketing manager, Selective Flood Insurance Operations, will instruct the CE credit seminar. Joining Palmer for portions of the seminar will be David Thompson, education instructor with the Florida Association of Insurance Agents, and Jim Sadler, a FEMA/NFIP consultant and author of "The Flood Insurance Claims Handbook." Click here to register today.
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I I A B A N E W S
ACSR Scholarships Available
IIABA, in close cooperation with the National Association of Insurance Women International (NAIW), has established a new scholarship program to further promote and assist insurance agents and brokers’ commitment to excellence.
During NAIW’s upcoming annual convention in June, the Big "I" and NAIW will award the following scholarships toward IIABA’s Accredited Customer Service Representative Designation (ACSR):
· One full scholarship to take all classes required to earn the ACSR personal, commercial or life-health designation; and
· Three scholarships to take one ACSR personal, commercial or life-health class.
"We are thrilled to be partnering with NAIW to offer their members and our own association members the opportunity to continue their education and gain valuable technical and professional training," says Madelyn Flannagan, Big "I" vice president of education and research. "The ACSR Designation is an important one—it promotes and recognizes the professionalism of customer service personnel in the insurance industry."
Scholarship recipients will gain critical professional development skills, improve their customer service tactics, retain accounts and reduce their agencies’ E&O exposure.
Applicants must be current and active members of the NAIW in good standing, work at a Big "I" member agency, be employed full-time and be in the insurance industry for at least one year. Applicants must intend to complete and achieve the ACSR designation within three years or take the ACSR class within one year and expect to continue their career for the next three years in the insurance industry. To obtain an application, which must be postmarked by April 1, 2006, click here.
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New InVEST and Diversity Coordinator on Board
The InVEST and Diversity programs are pleased to announce a new addition. Heather Owens is the InVEST and Diversity coordinator to the Agent Development Group. Owens will be working to expand the reach of the InVEST program and to further the goals of our Diversity initiative. Owens, a Bowie State University graduate, has worked at the BET Foundation, National Council of Urban Indian Health, D.C. Action for Children and at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Owens can be reached at 703-706-5394; heather.owens@iiaba.net.
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B I G " I " M A R K E T S
Banking on Big "I" Markets
Did you know that Big "I" Markets agents have access to the SelectOneSM product for community banks offered by St. Paul Travelers? St. Paul Travelers SelectOneSM for Community Banks and SelectOneSM for Credit Unions is a portfolio of property, casualty, management liability and bond coverages specifically designed for community banks and credit unions. With SelectOneSM for Community Banks and SelectOneSM for Credit Unions, policyholders can choose separate or shared limits of liability, select different retentions and designate whether the insurance company or policyholder has the duty to defend claims for each coverage option. In addition, the policies are designed to reduce coverage gaps and can be tailored to meet the specific needs of policyholders. And don't worry—you don't have to be a bank expert to sell this coverage. St. Paul Travelers underwriters will work closely with you to help you close the deal. For more information about this product or to register for Big "I" Markets, the online market access program available exclusively to Big "I" members, visit www.bigimarkets.com.
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Real Estate Agents E&O Marketing Tool Available
In the real estate business, as with any business, errors and omissions can occur at any time. Often, they are the result of a lack of knowledge or experience on the agent or broker’s part. But even the most knowledgeable and experienced people in the business can make mistakes. Real estate professionals who are aware of the risks they face and understand how to avoid them have the best chance of achieving success with their customers. Big "I" Markets has developed a list of common mistakes real estate agents and brokers make in the course of doing business, along with tips about how to avoid them. Click here to find access this list, and then show it to your real estate agent friends. It will provide you with an opportunity to counsel them on the need for real estate agents E&O insurance. For more information about this product or to register for Big "I" Markets, the online market access program available exclusively to Big "I" members, visit www.bigimarkets.com.
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A C T
Finish AUGIE Survey, Win $100
Take 25 minutes out of your busy day to help shape what your workflows will look like for years to come. By completing the AUGIE survey, you could win a $100 American Express Gift Card! More than 4,000 agency professionals so far have completed the survey, which is designed to find ways to use new technology to leverage free time for industry professionals. Completing the 20-minutes survey will pay off greatly in the long run! AUGIE is especially interested in more feedback from service staff. Users can stop and resume the survey at any point and can return directly to where they left off, even if they did not deliberately save their answers. All participants who complete the survey are entered into a daily drawing for a $100 American Express gift card. Click here to access the AUGIE Survey and enter to win $100.
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