The Aflac Duck receives honor as a favorite icon during New York City's second
annual celebration of the advertising industry
COLUMBUS, Ga., Sept. 26 /PRNewswire/ -- The Aflac Duck was enshrined on
Madison Avenue's Walk of Fame today during an official induction ceremony
recognizing the beloved corporate mascot as one of America's Favorite
Advertising Icons. The tribute launches a weeklong celebration honoring the
best of the advertising industry.
During the 2004 inaugural celebration of advertising week, the Aflac Duck
beat out 24 other popular advertising icons, winning a coveted spot on the
well-known corner of 50th street and Madison Avenue. The duck competed
against such renowned symbols as Ronald McDonald and the Energizer Bunny
through an online voting poll. This year's festivities began by honoring the
winners of the 2004 contest with the installation of an image-engraved
sidewalk plaque located in the heart of the advertising capital of the world -
New York City.
"It is an honor to have our Aflac Duck recognized in such a prestigious
manner," said Dan Amos, Aflac chairman and CEO. "We are pleased to know that
so many people have enjoyed watching the commercials and that the campaign has
become so highly regarded within the advertising industry."
Following a procession of other famous advertising symbols competing in
this year's contest, the spokesduck received its official spot on the Walk of
Fame, making it the newest icon on the block. By fervently touting its
namesake to anyone who will listen, the Aflac Duck has created effective brand
awareness for the Columbus, Ga.-based insurer through an innovative
advertising campaign that began less than six years ago. Today, Aflac enjoys
more than 90 percent brand recognition.
Following its 2004 win as one of America's Favorite Advertising Icons, the
Aflac Duck went on to have other major successes. In December 2004, the duck
was placed front and center in the company's logo and had a cameo appearance
in the Academy Award-winning film, "Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate
Events." The feathered celebrity also starred opposite Melania Trump in the
widely popular Aflac television commercial titled "Experiment." More
recently, the duck's latest commercial, titled "Helping Out," was named Best-
Liked New Ad by AdAge.com.
Other icons sharing an engraved image alongside the Aflac Duck include the
M&M characters, Mr. Peanut, the Pillsbury Doughboy and Tony the Tiger.
The Kaplan Thaler Group, a New York-based advertising agency, created the
Aflac Duck advertising campaign in 1999.
Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the
United States and Japan. Aflac's insurance products provide protection to more
than 40 million people worldwide and pay cash benefits to policyholders unless
they choose otherwise. Aflac's products are primarily sold at worksites in the
United States. In Japan, Aflac is the largest life insurer in terms of
individual insurance policies in force. 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.
The Kaplan Thaler Group (www.kaplanthalergroup.com) has been ranked by
industry publications as the fastest-growing New York advertising agency and
touted for its breakthrough creative and immediate results. KTG is part of
the Publicis Groupe, one of the world's largest communications holding
companies.
Media Contacts:
Yolonda King Mechell Clark
Aflac Incorporated Aflac Incorporated
(706) 243-8547 Voice (706) 243-8004 Voice
(706) 320-2288 Fax (706) 320-2288 Fax
yking@aflac.com meclark@aflac.com
SOURCE Aflac Incorporated