COLUMBUS, Ga., June 3 /PRNewswire/ -- CIO magazine announced Aflac as a recipient of the 2008 CIO 100, an annual award program that recognizes companies around the world that exemplify the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology (IT). The magazine identified Aflac as one of the top 100 organizations that has distinguished itself by creating business value through the effective and innovative use of IT.

"We are extremely honored by this recognition," said Gerald Shields, chief information officer for Aflac. "This award is a testament to our team's commitment to equipping our sales force with technology that helps them do their jobs more efficiently, ultimately leading to quality service for our customers."

The recipients of this year's CIO 100 award were selected through a three-step process. First, companies filled out an online application form detailing their innovative practices in both business and IT. Next, a team of judges reviewed the applications in depth, looking for unique practices and substantial results. Finally, CIO editors reviewed the judges' recommendations and voted on the final 100.

"The CIO 100 honors organizations that have used technology in innovative ways to generate value to the business," said Abbie Lundberg, editor in chief of CIO magazine. "Unlike other top lists, it's not just about who's biggest -- it's about who's doing the most interesting and relevant things."

The 21st annual CIO 100 awards will be presented at the Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colo., on August 26 at the conclusion of the tenth annual CIO 100 Symposium(R) and Awards Ceremony. Complete coverage of the 2008 CIO 100 awards will be in the August 15 issue of CIO magazine and available online at www.cio.com on June 1.

For more than 50 years, Aflac products have given policyholders the opportunity to direct cash where it is needed most when a life-interrupting medical event causes financial challenges. Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States and the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force in Japan. Its insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million people worldwide. Aflac has been included in Fortune magazine's listing of America's Most Admired Companies for seven years and in Fortune magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for ten consecutive years. Aflac also has been recognized three times by both Fortune magazine's listing of the Top 50 Employers for Minorities and Working Mother magazine's listing of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com.

SOURCE Aflac Incorporated

CONTACT: Yolonda Stephen, Aflac Incorporated, +1-706-243-8547, +1-706-320-2288 Fax, yking@aflac.com