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Corporate Social Responsibility
News
8.29.2000 ET
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Quacking Duck Raises Big Bucks for AFLAC Cancer Center; Web Sales of the Stuffed Ducks Total More Than $75,000
(CSRwire) AFLAC's newest advertising campaign, featuring the famous AFLAC duck, has
been an overwhelming success. The commercials have increased sales and
name recognition for the supplemental insurer. But AFLAC's campaign has
benefited more than the company's bottom line. When AFLAC started selling
a stuffed version of the popular duck that quacks, "AFLAC," on its Web
site, sales went through the roof, and the AFLAC Cancer Center at
Children's Healthcare of Atlanta became the beneficiary.
"The commercials were so popular that people were calling in and
asking if they could get a stuffed version of our duck," says AFLAC
President and CEO Dan Amos. "It seemed like a great opportunity to raise
money for the AFLAC Cancer Center and to help build the AFLAC brand. We're
thrilled that the ducks have helped us raise more than $75,000 in less than
two months for this great center that makes living with cancer more
bearable for these young patients."
Appearances by Amos and the duck on CNBC's Power Lunch with Bill Griffeth
are largely credited with the sales surge. Amos first appeared on CNBC in
early July, and in the weeks following the interview, AFLAC's talking duck
made several guest appearances during which Griffeth explained to viewers
that they could purchase a talking duck and the proceeds would benefit the
AFLAC Cancer Center.
In 1995 AFLAC made a commitment to finance the multimillion-dollar
renovation and expansion of the children's cancer unit at Children's
Healthcare of Atlanta, formerly Egleston and Scottish Rite. Completed in
July 1998, the expansion of the AFLAC Cancer Center makes it the largest
children's cancer center in the Southeast region and one of the largest
pediatric cancer centers in the United States. At the AFLAC Cancer Center,
patients are treated for cancer as well as hematologic diseases such as
hemophilia and sickle cell anemia. One-third of the patients is being
treated for leukemia, the most common childhood cancer.
AFLAC Incorporated (NYSE: AFL) is an international holding company. A
Fortune 500 company, AFLAC insures more than 40 million people worldwide.
It is the leading underwriter of supplemental insurance marketed at the
worksite in the United States, offering policies to employees at more than
160,000 payroll accounts. AFLAC is ranked as the number one insurance
company to work for, according to Fortune magazine's 1999 listing of "The
100 Best Companies to Work for in America," which appeared in its January
10, 2000, issue. Additionally, AFLAC is the largest foreign insurer in
Japan and is a component of the Standard & Poor's 500 Index. AFLAC's
Internet site address is aflac.com.
To visit AFLAC's Web site and order a talking duck, or to view the latest
AFLAC duck commercials, click here http://www.aflac.com/.
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