Commercial responds to growing concerns about health care costs

COLUMBUS, Ga., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac's latest ad, titled "Helping Out," features the insurer's iconic duck handling many of the household responsibilities of an injured policyholder. Scheduled to debut nationwide on August 22, the new commercial is part of the company's ongoing brand definition campaign designed to demonstrate how Aflac insurance policies can help customers maintain their quality of life when they are sick or injured and cannot work.

In a recent Aflac-commissioned survey of 2,024 randomly selected Americans, two-thirds of respondents reported they are concerned about paying basic living expenses if out of work for an injury or illness. The nationwide telephone survey conducted in July 2005 found that 56 percent of Americans would not be able to provide for their families should they be incapacitated. "The new commercial clearly illustrates how Aflac can help those who are experiencing loss of income due to a medical event," said Dan Amos, chairman and CEO of Aflac.

In December 2004, Aflac announced its new branding campaign and plans for linking the highly recognized duck with a greater understanding of the company's products and services. The "Helping Out" commercial combines the light-hearted humor of the duck with a more comprehensive message about how Aflac insurance may help with household expenses in a family's time of need. Similar to the successful "Broken Leg" commercial that debuted in February, the new ad shows how Aflac insurance policies can help customers focus on getting better and worry less about their finances. In the new spot, an injured man relaxes in a hammock and concentrates on recovering while the Aflac Duck is seen scurrying about taking on several domestic tasks.

"Aflac provides consumers with options for protecting themselves against the unexpected," continued Amos. "With our product offerings, we are committed to helping provide families with financial security and stability, even when the situation feels uncertain."

The "Helping Out" ad is the company's 23rd commercial and is the follow-up to the widely popular "Experiment" ad featuring billionaire bride Melania Trump.

For 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. Aflac's insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million people worldwide. In January 2005, Aflac was included in Fortune magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the seventh consecutive year. Aflac has also been included in both Forbes magazine's Platinum 400 List of America's Best Big Companies and in Fortune magazine's listing of America's Most Admired Companies for five consecutive years. 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.

     Media Contacts:
     Mechell Clark                Laura Kane
     Aflac Incorporated           Aflac Incorporated
     (706) 243-8004               (706) 596-3493
     meclark@aflac.com            lkane@aflac.com

   

SOURCE Aflac Incorporated