AFL AFLAC Inc

The AFLAC Duck Provides a Forum for Consumers to Quack the Vote COLUMBUS, Ga., Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The AFLAC Duck will compete alongside 25 other well-known brand icons, including the Wise Owl and Speedy Alka-Seltzer, for a chance to cement its place in history on the Madison Avenue Advertising Walk of Fame in New York during the city's first- ever celebration of Advertising Week. Winners will be decided by an online public vote. In keeping with its theme of "getting the word out," the AFLAC Duck has made it easy for consumers to cast their ballots by visiting http://www.aflac.com/ . At the tender age of 4 years old, the AFLAC Duck is the youngest contender nominated for America's Favorite Advertising Symbol Award. The spokesduck's relentless approach to reminding consumers of AFLAC's name has earned it fans across the country within a short period of time. The popular feathered icon has accomplished more for its company's brand recognition in under five years than most advertising symbols have done for their brand over decades. Launched during the first weekend in the new millennium, the national advertising campaign featuring the duck spouting, "AFLAAAAC," produced a significant increase in AFLAC's name recognition-from 12% to more than 90%. According to the AFLAC Duck's campaign manager, Al Johnson, the duck will run on a serious platform. "Our campaign is about actions and not words. Well, maybe one word -- AFLAAAAC!" Standing less than three feet tall, the AFLAC Duck is a giant within the advertising industry and is no stranger to receiving accolades. The AFLAC Duck Campaign has already received several honors, including the 2002 Gold Effie, an award recognizing the year's best advertising campaigns. The duck has also received two Midas awards honoring the best in creative consumer communication. The award-winning duck is not only a leader within the advertising arena but is an active participant in the world of philanthropy. With the sale of plush toys bearing its resemblance, the AFLAC Duck does its part in the fight against pediatric cancer. The duck has raised more than $1 million towards preventing the childhood disease. Public voting for brand icons began on Monday, July 26, 2004 and will conclude at midnight on Friday, September 3, 2004. The top five icons voted onto the Walk of Fame will be honored with an image-enshrined sidewalk plaque installed at the corner of 50th Street and Madison Avenue. Winners will be unveiled at a Walk of Fame dedication ceremony on September 20, 2004. AFLAC Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) is an international holding company. A Fortune 500 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 July 2003, Fortune magazine named AFLAC to its list of "The 50 Best Companies for Minorities." In January 2004, AFLAC was included in Fortune magazine's list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For in America" for the sixth consecutive year. Also in January 2004, AFLAC was named to Forbes magazine's Platinum 400 List of "Americas Best Big Companies" 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 http://www.aflac.com/ . Contacts: Mechell Clark AFLAC Incorporated (706) 243-8004 Laura Kane AFLAC Incorporated (706) 596-3493 (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010525/AFLACLOGO ) http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20010525/AFLACLOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: AFLAC Incorporated CONTACT: Mechell Clark, +1-706-243-8004, or , or Laura Kane, +1-706-596-3493, or , both of AFLAC Incorporated Web site: http://www.aflac.com/

Copyright