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Industry News

Big “I” Markets

Sign Up for Commercial Package Webinar

Registered Big "I" Markets agents will have an opportunity to meet the underwriter of Big “I” Market’s newest line of products through an online Q&A sessions. Darren Marsh of Standard Lines Brokerage will be available to educate you on the commercial package policy, workers’ compensation, commercial auto and the builders risk policies. The Webinar presents an opportunity to learn everything you needed to know in order to write any of these policies. Not sure what types of risks are ideal? What about the coverages available? Get ready to pick his brain on one of the following dates/times:

• Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 11 a.m. EST
• Wednesday, Aug. 30 at 2 p.m. EST
• Thursday, Aug. 31 at 4 p.m. EST

Send an e-mail to bigimarkets@iiaba.net with the time slot that works best for you. You’ll then receive an invitation to a Webinar and conference call with Marsh and Big “I” Markets. Not yet registered for Big "I" Markets? No problem! Visit www.bigimarkets.com to complete the simple, free, online registration.

Young Agents
Register Today for the Leadership Institute

The  2006 Young Agents Leadership Institute will take place Sept. 8 through 10 at the Hilton New Orleans Riverside. This exciting event features numerous opportunities for Young Agents to learn new leadership and business development skills.

Keynote speakers Keith Harrell and Brian Bagley will share their insights into the independent insurance industry. Harrell will offer ways to tune up your attitude and improve your professional and personal life. Bagley, who contributed to the New York Times   bestseller “Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t,” will discuss how companies grow and attain superior performance---and how good companies can become great companies.

The Leadership Institute features breakout sessions focusing on membership development, political involvement and communications. In addition, the Young Agent Committee Awards will be presented and attendees are invited to join the Young Agent event on  Bourbon Street. Click here for updates and to register online. For more information, contact Katie Cosgrove at 800-221-7917; katie.cosgrove@iiaba.net.

Trusted Choice^®

Brand Program Expands Advertising Plans

Benjamin Franklin said it best: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Beginning next month, Trusted Choice^® will embark on a new advertising strategy to benefit your agency. This new strategy calls for national cable television advertising for 12 consecutive months beginning in September and running through August 2007. Each month will feature numerous Trusted Choice^® TV ads over a two-week period on a single national cable network.

Begin planning now to tie into this national ad campaign. Make it simple. Take it three months at a time. The first three months of ads will run on the following networks:

• September                     The Weather Channel
• October                        Fox News
• November                     Fox News

Pick one (or more) of these ad flights and plan your agency’s local advertising campaign around it. Remember that you don’t have to use just the TV ads to earn double-exposure. Print, radio and billboard ads are just as effective. You can access the customizable ads at the “Agents/Brokers” section of www.TrustedChoice.com by clicking here.You’ll also find helpful media-buying guides online as well.

By running a local campaign, your agency will get double exposure with area consumers who will think all the ads are about your Trusted Choice^® agency and your agency will become the smart choice for their insurance and financial services.

Start now by preparing your local ad campaigns to ensure the success of your agency. Agents who invest a little time and a small amount of their resources in advertising can significantly raise the profile of their Trusted Choice^® agency with local consumers—including existing and prospective customers.

What are you waiting for? Call your ad rep at the local TV or radio station or newspaper now to get started. For additional information, contact Jenner Gohr at 800-221-7197; jenner.gohr@iiaba.net.

New Customizable Print Ads Available

Trusted Choice^® now provides your agency more choices of tag-able ads for local ad campaigns

Three new prints ads now are available online in the “Advertising” section of the “Agents/Brokers” area at www.TrustedChoice.com. You can preview and download these new ads from the Web site and then e-mail them to your local newspaper or magazine.

The ads provide generous space for your agency info—name, address, phone number(s), Web address and logo. To go directly to the print ads page, click here. You will need yourTrusted Choice^® login information to access this password-protected area. (If you do not have this login info, e-mail Ines Hoyle at ines.hoyle@iiaba.net.)

The new creative materials emphasizes the importance of having “protection that fits” and instructs consumers to consult a Trusted Choice^® agency for their insurance needs. The ads grab the reader’s attention with a strong photo that projects the importance of having a good “fit” and deliver the message with a humorous approach.   Each new print ad is available in both magazine and newspaper formats. You also can choose between color or black and white versions.

New customizable billboard and radio ad also are on the way, so be on the lookout for those as well. For more information, contact Jeff Myers at 800-221-7917; jeff.myers@iiaba.net.

IIABA News

Big “I” in the Media

Heading to the airport over Labor Day for one last trip to the beach? Getting ready for your flight to New Orleansfor the Fall Leadership Conference? You might have a long wait at security, so stop by the nearest magazine stand and pick up the September issues of Better Homes & Gardens and Real Simple magazines. In BH&G, look for a story called “Rethink Your Insurance” about baby boomers updating their insurance—featuring Madelyn Flannagan, Big “I” vice president of education and research. In Real Simple, read “Money Made Easy” and see what Dave Evans, senior vice president of retirement and financial planning, has to say about buying life insurance. Other members of the Big “I” national staff have recently been quoted on CNN.com, in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post and in articles published by Dow Jones. For more information contact Emily Crane at 703-706-5445; emily.crane@iiaba.net.

IA Magazine

September Issue Features NYT Roundtable          

IA has its finger on the pulse of insurance industry trends. Look for “All the Insurance Trends (Fit to Print)” in the September issue, a wrap-up of an industry roundtable hosted jointly by the New York Times and the Big “I” this summer. The roundtable featured carrier CEOs and agents talking about catastrophes, regulation, technology, market trends and more. The roundtable is part of an ongoing partnership between the Big “I” and the New York Times designed to help educate Times’ staff on insurance and the issues facing the industry. Look for the September issue of IA for more information!