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 Industry News

T R U S T E D     C H O I C E ®
Internet Ads Launch Monday

Beginning Monday and running through June, Trusted Choice® ads will appear on extremely popular, high-profile Web sites including www.AOL.com and www.MSN.comthrough June 30. As part of Trusted Choice® Month, the Internet ad campaign is expected to expose nearly 50 million consumers to the Trusted Choice® brand. Trusted Choice® ads will be placed in high-traffic areas, including the e-mail page, home page, real estate page, careers and money pages of these Web portals.

Trusted Choice® is using TACODA®, a Web behavioral advertising service. TACODA® is a full-service, massive-reach behavioral-targeted ad network that places ads on a list of premium Web sites. Simply put, TACODA® can "see" when a person is searching Web sites relevant to insurance and place a Trusted Choice® ad on those sites specifically targeted at that individual.

The last Trusted Choice® online ad campaign saw great results. In February 2006, nearly 50 million consumers were exposed to the brand and its message of choice, customization and advocacy. This traffic generated 43,893 clicks to www.TrustedChoice.comand nearly 10,000 interactions on the Trusted Choice® Agency Locator. This online campaign will generate increased consumer awareness of the brand and its participating agencies, as well as to prompt consumers to consider a Trusted Choice® agent for their insurance needs by driving them to the Agency Locator to find an agency.

Remember to visit MSN and AOL starting May 15 and to take a look at the Trusted Choice® ads. Now is the time to update your company profile! For more information about Trusted Choice®, contact Jeff Myers at 800-221-7917; jeff.myers@iiaba.net.

B I G   " I "   M A R K E T S ^SM
Agency of the Year Standings

Just as basketball has a starting five---the five best players who begin each game---Big "I" MarketsSM has a starting five, in this case the top producing agencies. The O’Neal Agency in Andalusia, Ala. is the clear cut leader through April in premium written on Big "I" MarketsSM. The rest of the pack is bunched together with only $2,000 in premium separating the second thru fifth place performers.

What’s the best way to propel your agency into the starting five? Write business that has high average premiums. Use Big "I" MarketsSM to quote your high-value homeowners clients. You have access to the best products in that market: Chubb and Fireman’s Fund. On the commercial side, the community banks program though St. Paul Travelers and the new Wrap+SM executive liability product featuring employment practices liability both also have high average premiums. Click hereto access a fact sheet about The Wrap+SM.

The Richard Petty Award goes to the agency with the most confirmed binders on Big "I" MarketsSM. Darnielle Insurance Agency continues to lead the way in this category on the strength of its use of the renters’ product. As we enter graduation party and wedding season, remember your agency can access the event liability product to spark a move into the starting five. Click here to log onto Big "I" MarketsSM and view a list of eligible events under the "Target Market & Eligibility" section of the event liability product. Click here to learn more about Big "I" MarketsSM. For more information, contact a team member at bigimarkets@iiaba.net.

I I A B A   N E W S
Free Publicity for Your Agency

As the country’s largest trade organization of independent agents and brokers, the Big "I" often receives requests from reporters looking to talk to our experts and member agents about a variety of issues of local and national importance to the insurance industry. It is to the benefit of all independent agents and brokers to have our voices heard. Big "I" members in the past year have been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Kiplinger’s Personal Finance, CNN.com, The Washington Post, USA Today, and many more media outlets. Big "I" agents have appeared on TV shows such as "Business Week TV," "Open House" on CNN, "The Nightly Business Report" on PBS, and "Big Story Weekend" segment on FoxNews. In addition to these large, national papers and outlets, we often receive requests from smaller, local papers looking to speak to agents in their area. Not only is this volunteer opportunity a great way to promote the goals of the Big "I," but it’s a great way to get press for your agency as well! If you volunteer to be a Big "I" media spokesperson, we will supply you with hints and tips on talking to reporters, as well as frequent updates on hot-topic issues to help you stay on top of the industry news. Volunteering to be a media spokesperson has no minimum time requirement…you help when you can. For more information or to volunteer, contact Emily Crane at 800-221-7917; emily.crane@iiaba.net.

I N V E S T
InVEST Auction Supports Student Scholarships

The 2006 InVEST Silent Auction raised $35,000 to support the future of the independent agency system! Attendees of the Big "I" Legislative Conference & Convention came out in force to bid on items including sporting tickets, golf clubs, Broadway shows, wine tours, spa days, gadgets, trips and more. Items were generously donated by insurance carriers, independent agents and brokers, the Big "I" and its state affiliates and other professional organizations committed to preparing America’s young people for the future. The money raised goes to scholarships for graduates of the InVEST program who are pursuing higher education with an emphasis on insurance.

A 501(c)3 educational trust, InVEST introduces high school and community college students to insurance and the more than 350 diverse careers available within the industry giving students a new outlook on the future. The program also offers insurance agencies, brokers and carriers a diverse and talented group of entry-level recruits. Play an important roll in the future of InVEST’s brightest students by supporting this one-of-a-kind insurance education program. For more information, contact Sandra Skipper at 703-706-5437; sandra.skipper@iiaba.net.

Y O U N G   A G E N T S
National YAC Training Future Industry Leaders

The Big "I" national Young Agents program provides the next generation of industry leaders with the tools they need to improve and strengthen their agencies, their state young agents programs and the insurance industry as a whole. It’s an exciting time for the National Young Agents Committee as it launches the Young Agent Leadership Institute in September. This national event will attract young agent leaders from across the country, agents who are eager to develop and strengthen their leadership and sales skills, network with companies and peers, and share new strategies and techniques. For more information, contact your states’ Young Agents Committee. Don’t let this great opportunity pass you by---be a part of Young Agents 2006. For more information, contact Barbara Miller-Richards at 800-221-7917; barbara.miller-richards@iiaba.net.

I A       M A G A Z I N E
Keep IA Coming!

Want to have the latest industry news and trends, management information, specialty lines access and government affairs coverage at your fingertips? To improve the profitability and efficiency of your agency, renew your subscription to Independent Agent magazine. And the best part—it’s free! Take action now. Keep your IA magazine coming, delivered straight to your home or office each month. To validate your subscription online, go to IAmagazine.com and click on "Update Your Subscription." Use the six-digit ID printed on your magazine mailing label and follow the directions. While you’re visiting IAmagazine.com, don’t forget to check out the Premier Insurance Directory (PID). PID is the ultimate monthly guide for insurance products and services, including specialty lines, and the information is searchable by category online. Direct IA subscription questions to Jill Cosgrove at 800-221-7917; jill.cosgrove@iiaba.net.