IRI Announces Inaugural Marketing Innovation Award Recipients

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) today recognized Nationwide Financial, Franklin Templeton Investments, Lincoln Financial Distributors and Prudential Financial’s Jac Herschler as the inaugural recipients of the IRI Marketing Innovation Award. The awards, which were presented during a ceremony at the IRI Marketing Summit in New York, recognize breakthroughs in the areas of new products and services, development of consumer and advisor educational resources, and overall marketing campaigns to foster greater acceptance and use of insured retirement strategies.

“This year’s award winners are taking the lead in terms of driving the industry forward,” IRI President and CEO Cathy Weatherford said. “Across the board, you will notice a theme among these recipients: all have developed new concepts and approaches to support financial professionals as they engage clients – helping them understand retirement risks and developing strategies to meet these challenges. IRI is proud to recognize these companies and individuals for their significant contributions and innovations.”

Nationwide Financial

Nationwide Financial was recognized in the insurer category for its Nationwide Financial Retirement Institute, which has provided thought leadership and research contributions on issues facing retirees and pre-retirees. The institute has developed programs such Social Security 360 and RetireSense^® to assist financial advisors as they help clients develop holistic retirement income strategies. Along with these programs, the institute has developed tools and materials for both advisors and investors to increase understanding of financial topics such as retirement income planning, health care, long-term care, and Social Security.

Franklin Templeton Investments

In the asset manager category, Franklin Templeton Investments was recognized for its design and development of innovative client-engagement resources, which were brought to market through strategic marketing campaigns. These campaigns include series focused on helping clients turn savings into retirement income, developing portfolios to reach long-term goals, and the effect of interest rate changes on fixed-income investments. In one such campaign, “Income for What’s Next,” client resources were developed to help clients prioritize goals and match income with retirement expenses.

Lincoln Financial Distributors

Lincoln Financial Distributors was recognized in the distributor category for its Annuity Visualizer tool, which was designed to help advisors understand and explain the differences between various living benefit riders. Using the tool, financial advisors can show clients how an annuity works within their overall retirement plan and create hypothetical situations and case studies. Ultimately, the tool enables advisors to provide clients with a clear picture of how moving assets into an annuity will impact their retirement income plan.

Jac Herschler, Vice President of Business Strategy for Prudential Annuities, Prudential Financial

In the individual category, Prudential Financial’s Jac Herschler was recognized for contributions made over his more than 30 years in the industry, including the creation of The Retirement Red Zone. The concept enables financial professionals to better explain three main retirement challenges: longevity, rising costs, and market uncertainty. Herschler also is credited for driving Prudential’s “Bring Your Challenges” initiative, which changed the company’s approach to the marketplace and its overall brand strategy.

About the Insured Retirement Institute: The Insured Retirement Institute (IRI) is the leading association for the retirement income industry. IRI proudly leads a national consumer coalition of more than 20 organizations, and is the only association that represents the entire supply chain of insured retirement strategies. IRI members are the major insurers, asset managers, broker-dealers/distributors, and 150,000 financial professionals. As a not-for-profit organization, IRI provides an objective forum for communication and education, and advocates for the sustainable retirement solutions Americans need to help achieve a secure and dignified retirement. Learn more at www.irionline.org.