Aflac’s CEO Ranked Among World’s Most Influential

COLUMBUS, Ga., Oct. 29, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the number one provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, announced today that the company's executive vice president and chief marketing and sales officer, Michael Zuna, has been ranked 28th in a study of the world's most influential CMOs in 2012. The first annual CMO Influence Study, compiled by Appinions, surveyed the work of CMOs from a list the company compiled of the 100 most important companies in the world. Appinions is an opinion-based influence marketing platform that enables agencies and brands to identify, analyze, engage, monitor and measure relevant influencers.

"This study confirms our steadfast belief that Michael Zuna is one of the best CMOs in the world," Paul S. Amos II, president and chief operating officer for Aflac U.S., said. "Michael's nimble stewardship of the Aflac Duck campaign, his extensive background in integrated marketing, and his strong business insights illustrate why he is a major influencer on the world stage. We are very pleased that he has received this recognition."

Michael Zuna is a cum laude graduate of the United States Naval Academy and served his country in the U.S. Navy for six years. He joined Aflac in 2009 as vice president of Marketing after stints at Saatchi and Saatchi, and Arnold Worldwide. He was promoted to senior vice president, chief marketing officer, in October 2010, and to his current position as executive vice president, chief marketing and sales officer, in June 2012, which formally united the company's sales and marketing operations to more effectively reach agents, brokers, employers and consumers to meet company growth goals. Combining the two functions under a single leader ensures that the team is working together to maximize resources and sell products as effectively as possible.

In March 2011—during his first full year as chief marketing officer—Zuna orchestrated a nationwide search for a new voice for the Aflac Duck, which garnered tens of millions of dollars worth of positive earned media for the company. At the same time, he was skillfully managing the rebranding of Continental American Insurance Company (CAIC) as Aflac Group Insurance, after Aflac made its first-ever acquisition of another insurance company. Also during that year, Aflac U.S. realized a 6.8 percent increase in new annualized premium sales.

ABOUT AFLAC
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For more than 55 years, Aflac insurance policies have 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 life insurance company in terms of individual policies in force. Aflac individual and group insurance products provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For six consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2012, FORTUNE magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the 14th consecutive year. Also, FORTUNE magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 11th time in 2012. 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 espanol.aflac.com.

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SOURCE Aflac