Academy and Grammy Award winner Jennifer Hudson stars in new advertising campaign for American Family Insurance encouraging consumers to #DreamFearlessly

First work with ad agency BBDO New York to debut in regional broadcasts of the Super Bowl on Feb. 1

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Family Insurance is evolving its advertising campaign to inspire more people to dream fearlessly. The company is further expanding its role as the brand that inspires, protects and restores dreams, this time with the help of award-winning artist Jennifer Hudson. The emotional ad breaks Feb. 1 during a regional Super Bowl buy.

The ad marks the launch of a bold, new multimedia campaign for the country’s third-largest mutual property/casualty insurance company. The campaign, created by BBDO NY, will initially be seen in 70 markets by more than 33 million Americans in American Family’s operating states. The work marks the third year American Family has advertised regionally in the game. It will subsequently be aired in other high-visibility television programs throughout the year, including regional broadcasts of the Grammy and Academy Awards later in February.

“Jennifer embodies the tenacity and commitment it takes to pursue and achieve a dream,” said Telisa Yancy, marketing vice president at American Family. “We believe her story will inspire others and remind people of the unique role we want to play in our customers’ lives. Insurance is about so much more than the messaging we currently see from other insurance companies. Insuring with our company is truly about empowering our customers to pursue and achieve their dreams, while we protect what they’ve already achieved.”

“I have been pursuing my dreams since I was a child,” said Ms. Hudson, a native of Chicago, where the ad was filmed. “I think this Dream Fearlessly campaign is a wonderful way to celebrate the millions of people who want to achieve their goals, so it was an honor to be part of it.”

The ad (in :30 and :60 lengths) is set in a 40s era diner and features Hudson along with a cast of five actual dreamers who are hoping to realize their own ambitions. Set to the music of “O-o-oh Child,” Ms. Hudson and her castmates join together with a powerful voice that encourage viewers to go after what they want. The campaign’s tagline: Insure carefully, Dream fearlessly. The ad was filmed by acclaimed commercial director, Jake Scott.

In addition to television advertising, a robust print, radio and digital effort, all of which ladder up to the hashtag #DreamFearlessly, will support the campaign. The social call-to-action is intended to push viewers to tweet their dreams. A team of professional artists will use chalk typography to illustrate select tweets with the #DreamFearlessly hashtag that are posted during the Super Bowl. American Family will tweet back an image of the finished artwork.

“Our mission is to inspire, protect and restore dreams,” said Yancy. “We take this very seriously and hope that people will walk away from this commercial recognizing that we are committed to be the champion of dreams. We thank Jennifer for helping us deliver this important message.”

To see and share teasers for the commercial visit American Family’s YouTube page:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLq-9nVEV5rAB2GrWP75xYYxKTUvFsaeOy

To download and share stills from the commercial click here:
http://www.post.ny.no6.tv/ed/15305_AmFam/012615/HiResStills/

The commercial will be unveiled on Feb. 1.

About American Family Insurance

Madison, Wis. based American Family Insurance is the nation's third-largest mutual property/casualty insurance company and ranks 373rd on the Fortune 500 list. The company sells American Family-brand products, including auto, homeowners, life, business and farm/ranch insurance, through its exclusive agents in 19 states. American Family affiliates (The General, Homesite and AssureStart) also provide options for consumers who want to manage their insurance matters directly over the Internet or by phone. Web: www.amfam.com; Facebook: www.facebook.com/amfam; Twitter: www.twitter.com/amfam; Google+: plus.google.com/+amfam/posts.

The Cast of Five Dreamers

Rashawn Thompson, teaching artist – Chicago, ILMegan Schemmel, paralegal – Chicago, ILKyle Hustedt, entertainer, freelance designer and bartender – Chicago, ILDominick Basso, substitute teacher and boys gymnastics coach – Mundelein, ILLou Leonardo, Human Resources manager, Chicago, IL