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Industry News

Trusted Choice®
Ads Now Running on Fox News

Trusted Choice® television advertising touting the benefits of using the more than 6,700 participating agencies hits the nation’s airwaves again in October on Fox News. During the campaign, which began Oct. 9 and will run for two weeks, ads will be seen during popular programs such as “Fox & Friends,” “Hannity & Colmes,” “On the Record with Greta van Susteren,” “The Big Story,” “From the Heartland,” “War Stories” and more. Fox News is a leader in election coverage and has high ratings, making it a natural choice for national TV advertising. To see the detailed schedule for October on Fox News, click here.

In September, Trusted Choice® embarked on a new advertising strategy to benefit its member agencies. 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. Scheduled for upcoming months are:

• Nov. 6-19  Fox News
• Dec. 4-17  The Food Network
• Jan. 8-21, 2007 The Travel Channel
• Feb. 5-18, 2007 Fox News

The stations for the six month period from March to Aug. 2007 will be announced at the first of the year.

“Trusted Choice® advertising is heading in a new direction, strategically,” says Big “I” CEO Robert A. Rusbuldt. “Running ads on popular cable TV stations for two weeks out of every month maximizes consumer’s exposure to Trusted Choice®. The increased frequency of national Trusted Choice® ads, combined with more agencies than ever before running tie-in ads in conjunction with the national campaign, lead to a greater consistency of exposure to consumers. This will reinforce to consumers that using a Trusted Choice® agency is the smart, safe and preferred way to buy insurance.”

“The programs, times and channels have been carefully selected to reach the Trusted Choice® target market,” says Trusted Choice® Executive Director Dave Evans. “This ad campaign will be the most effective to date, driving consumers to the Trusted Choice® Web site and their local Trusted Choice® agencies to ensure they receive the choices and coverage they deserve.”

Successful brands ensure consumers receive excellent service and/or products. Trusted Choice® agencies have a pledge of performance for consumers, and advertising is just one component of ensuring that customers are aware that buying insurance from a Trusted Choice® agency is the smart way to buy insurance.

Start now by preparing your local tie-in ad campaigns by using the customizable ads provided in the “Agents/Brokers” area on TrustedChoice.com. You don’t have to use just the TV ads to earn double-exposure---print, radio and billboard ads are just as effective. 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. For more information, contact Jenner Gohr at 800-221-7917; jenner.gohr@iiaba.net.

  InVEST
InVEST Seeks Donations for 2006 Silent Auction

Participate in the InVEST Silent Auction and support the program’s annual scholarships awarded to InVEST graduates pursuing higher education with an emphasis on insurance. The 2007 InVEST Silent Auction will be held during the Big “I” National Legislative Conference & Convention. This groundbreaking insurance industry event will take place April 25 through 27 at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, D.C.

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 offers insurance agencies, brokers and carriers a diverse and talented group of entry-level recruits.

Proceeds from the 2005 and 2006 auctions helped to fund $42,000 in InVEST scholarships. To download a Silent Auction contribution form, click here. Thank you in advance for your contribution and support of InVEST. For more information, contact Sandra Skipper at 703-706-5437; sandra.skipper@iiaba.net.

Big “I” MarketsSM
Access Real Estate E&O

Agent Jeff Bucci of the A.R. Bucci Agency in Providence, R.I., recently bound a real estate agents E&O policy for $65,000 in premium on Big “I” Markets. According to Bucci, he tried several markets to get a quote to compete with the prior carrier. In one case, he even went to a market that specializes exclusively in real estate agents E&O. That market never responded to his quote request. Not so with Travelers, the market available on BIM. Bucci says the Travelers underwriter was excellent. “We had great communication and she was great to work with,” he says. Bucci was able to leverage the relationship one of his agents had with the real estate company.

Be sure to capitalize on your own relationships with real estate professionals and be aggressive in asking if you can quote the firms agency E&O. In this case, Bucci was able to provide coverage for all four locations of this particular firm. Log into Big “I” Markets at www.bigimarkets.com to familiarize yourself with the real estate agents E&O product.

Best Practices
Gain Recognition for Your Best Practices Efforts

The Big “I” is seeking applicants for the 6th Annual Best Practices Award of Excellence. This award acknowledges insurance companies for their exceptional efforts in promoting, marketing and implementing Best Practices tools, seminars and philosophies to agents throughout the year. Dedicated companies deserve recognition for their continued outreach to provide a variety of invaluable resources to their agency force in efforts to enhance the independent agency system.

As many as to five awards will be presented during the Big “I” National Legislative Conference & Convention in Washington, D.C. In addition, the award winner(s) will be recognized in a press release and in Big “I” publications. Each entry must include a completed and signed applicant information form and answers to the submission questions or an essay. Applicants also can provide visuals, such as examples of publications, marketing and communication materials to supplement their submission. A Best Practices Award of Excellence application is available at www.independentagent.com.  All applications must be received by Feb. 1, 2007 and recipients will be notified by March 1, 2007. For more information, contact Jennifer Becker at 800-221-7917; jennifer.becker@iiaba.net.

NLC&C
‘Think Big’ in New Big “I” Contest

The Big “I” wants your ideas for a marketing concept for the 2007 Big “I” National Legislative Conference & Convention, held April 25-29 in Washington, D.C. This event gives agents an opportunity to meet with their elected representatives on the Hill while providing excellent education and innovative exhibits.

What images or words embrace the power and history of D.C.? Submit your ideas to Susan Bonner at susan.bonner@iiaba.net and you will win a free t-shirt. The contributor of the winning idea will win a two-day stay at the Big “I” National Legislative Conference & Convention.

IA Magazine
Renew Your Free Subscription Today

Want to have the latest industry news and trends, management information, specialty lines access and government affairs coverage at your fingertips? Even though you’re a member of the Big “I,” we still need you to renew! Take action now to 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. Direct IA subscription questions to Jill Cosgrove at 800-221-7917; jill.cosgrove@iiaba.net.