COLUMBUS, Ga., July 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- It may not be welcome in the team's dressing room, but the AFLAC Duck will be spending much more time poolside as AFLAC becomes a sponsor of the U.S. Synchronized Swimming National Team. The sponsorship extends the relationship beyond the team's recent appearance in a popular AFLAC television commercial into a pairing that will include promotional tie-ins, advertising, and that has already featured an appearance on a major national late-night talk show.

"We are excited to be involved with the U.S. Synchronized Swimming National Team as a sponsor," said Kathelen Spencer, executive vice president, director of Corporate Communications at AFLAC, who originated the idea of teaming the AFLAC Duck with the synchronized swimmers for the TV ad. "We hope AFLAC's support will contribute to the continued growth of this competitive sport, and we will be rooting for the team's members as they head to the upcoming Olympics."

AFLAC's sponsorship of the national team allows for several cross-promotional and advertising opportunities, including joint appearances, media exposure, and participation in national championship events. The partnership was given nationwide exposure this week as the U.S. Synchronized Swimming National Team appeared on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman on Monday, July 26. The team performed a brand-new, two-minute routine in a pool specially constructed for the one-time event. (Photos from the event are available upon request.)

"AFLAC's partnership with United States Synchronized Swimming is already helping people appreciate the beauty, power, and athleticism of our sport in an entertaining and ingenious way," said Terry Harper, executive director of U.S. Synchronized Swimming. "Because of AFLAC's support of our efforts, we're able to focus on growth and expansion of our sport throughout the United States."

The "AFLAC Synchronized Swimmers" commercial, the 18th spot since the introduction of the AFLAC Duck, has been one of the highest-testing commercials in the history of the campaign. The 30-second spot opens with the team immersed in a pool, donning colorful swim caps and performing a standard routine until the AFLAC Duck comes along. At the end of the spot, the duck follows the team into its dressing room but is quickly pushed out. Created by the Kaplan Thaler Group, the commercial has aired during primetime and high visibility sporting events since May 3.

Members of the U.S. Synchronized Swimming National team will head to Athens, Greece next month for the 2004 Summer Olympics, where they will compete for the Gold against teams from seven nations in the Team competition and 23 other nations in the Duet. In 2000, the team placed fourth in the Team event, the first time that they had ever finished out of the medal count. They worked their way back to a bronze medal at the World Championships competition in 2003, and are looking to improve upon those results in Athens. Synchronized swimming has been an Olympic sport since 1984.

AFLAC Incorporated (NYSE: AFL) is an international holding company. A Fortune 500(R) company, AFLAC insures more than 40 million people worldwide. It is a leading writer of insurance products marketed at the worksite in the United States, offering policies to employees at more than 300,000 payroll accounts. The company insures one out of four Japanese households and is the largest life insurer in Japan in terms of individual insurance policies in force. In January 2004, AFLAC was included in Fortune magazine's list of "The 100 Best Companies to Work For" for the sixth consecutive year. Also in January 2004, AFLAC was named to Forbes magazine's "Platinum 400 List of Best Big Companies in America" for the fifth consecutive year. In March 2004, Fortune magazine included AFLAC in its annual listing of "America's Most Admired Companies." AFLAC's Internet address is aflac.com.

U.S. Synchronized Swimming is the National Governing Body for the Sport of synchronized swimming in the United States, appointed by the United States Olympic Committee by Act of Congress. It is responsible for fielding the teams that represent the United States in the Olympic Games, the Pan American Games, World Championships and other international competitions. It is also responsible for developing grass roots development programs and educational services for thousands of young athletes and coaches in the sport throughout the United States.

     Laura Kane
     AFLAC Incorporated
     (706) 596-3493
     lkane@aflac.com

     Amy McClintock
     U.S. Synchronized Swimming
     (317) 237-5700
     amy@usasynchro.org