AFL AFLAC Inc

COLUMBUS, Ga., March 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the company that pays cash benefits fast when you are sick or hurt, today released its latest television commercial, titled Pigeon. In the new ad, two families demonstrate an important message: You may think you are covered against accidents or illnesses, but without Aflac your family finances may not be as secure as you believe.

"In this commercial, the Aflac Duck represents a financial safety net — in addition to major medical — that provides real security when the other costs of an accident or illness mount,"  Aflac Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Michael Zuna said.  "Aflac pays you cash benefits so that your family does not have to feel the pain of your illness or injury."

In Pigeon, two families are resting on a park bench with two dads sitting next to each other, each with a broken leg. Next to one dad is the Aflac Duck and next to the other is a pigeon.

"Boy, I'm glad we got Aflac," says the first dad, gesturing to the Aflac Duck, who gives out his iconic cry of "Aflaaaac."

"Oh, I've just got major medical. But it helps pay the doctors," says the other, pointing to the pigeon.

"Oh yeah, what about your family," the first dad asks. "Aflac's different. It gives us cash. It's like our safety net."

At that moment the Aflac Duck starts dancing and handing cash to the family covered by Aflac. The other father cringes as he comes to the painful realization that his family has no safety net to help pay for groceries or the mortgage payments while he recovers from his accident.

Pigeon is the 52nd television commercial that features the Aflac Duck. It debuts today in primetime on broadcast and cable television stations nationwide. Pigeon was created by the Kaplan Thaler Group, part of the Publicis family.

ABOUT AFLAC

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For 55 years, Aflac insurance policies have helped provide a safety net and given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance. In Japan, Aflac is the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force. Aflac insurance products provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For four consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies and by Forbes magazine as one of America's Best-Managed Companies in the Insurance category. In 2011, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the thirteenth consecutive year. Also, Fortune magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 10th time in 2011. 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 or aflacenespanol.com.

(Photo:  http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110309/CL61629 )

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20100423/CL92305LOGO )

SOURCE Aflac