Aflac 2009 Annual Report Download - page 22

00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
14.9
8.2 8.1 8.6
9.9
11.3 12.0 12.3 13.0
Japan U.S.
$16.6
Premium
Income
(In billions)
Benefiting from strong
persistency in Japan and a
stronger average yen/dollar
exchange rate, premium
income rose 11.2% in 2009.
But as we have conveyed over the last
several years, we have spent a signicant
amount of time and energy not just on
recruiting, but also on improving the
quality and effectiveness of our sales
force. We believe our enhanced training
programs have helped to improve our
associates’ productivity, especially newly
recruited agents whose efforts best
reect our more recently developed
training programs. We were encouraged
that the number of new average weekly
producers, or those who are in their rst
year, increased 6.2% for 2009. New
annualized premium sales from new
associates were down only .5% for the
year. In addition, associates in their rst
year produced a 19.2% increase in new
payroll account openings.
We have also been working on new
ways to reach consumers. Historically,
insurance brokers have been an
underleveraged sales channel for Aac.
To advance our presence in the broker
arena, we ofcially launched our broker
initiative, Aac for BrokersSM, in January
2009. We are working to compete for
broker business with quality value-added
services, competitive compensation, and
streamlined and relevant products.
We believe our acquisition of Continental
American Insurance Company in October
2009 will play a signicant role in the
product area as we pursue our broker
initiative. Now branded as Aac Group
Insurance, this acquisition equips Aac
with a platform for offering attractive
voluntary group insurance products
that are well-suited for distribution by
insurance brokers at the worksite.
Expanding our product portfolio with
group products also greatly enhances the
sales opportunities for our traditional sales
force of individual associates.
The Aflac Duck Celebrates a Decade
of Promoting the Aflac Brand
As we ended 2009, we wished the Aac
Duck a happy 10th birthday. Since he
arrived on the scene on New Year’s Eve
1999, the Aac Duck has appeared in
49 commercials that have taken him
places no duck has previously gone. And
he shows no signs of slowing down in
promoting the protection Aac products
can provide. Having reached 94% name
recognition in the United States, the
Aac Duck is now helping employers
and consumers better understand just
what we do and how we can help. To
help better reach consumers, the Aac
Duck has even kept pace with the latest
The Aflac Cancer Center and Blood
Disorders Service of Children’s
Healthcare of Atlanta provides
a nurturing environment of peace,
hope, and help for kids fighting cancer
and blood disorders, as well as their
families. At the state-of-the-art facilities,
pediatric-trained staff provide a unique
and comprehensive course of treatment
– both clinically and emotionally – to help
children and their families through their
often difficult journeys. Recognized as
one of the top childhood cancer centers
in the country by U.S. News & World
Report, the Aflac Cancer Center treats
more than 370 new cancer patients each
year and follows more than 2,500 patients
with sickle cell disease, hemophilia and
other blood disorders. Pictured, Dr.
William G. Woods, Director of the Aflac
Cancer Center, takes a few minutes to
unwind with Ethan Antemie, Brinley
Thomas and Jay Franklin, three of the
courageous patients who count on the
expert care and nurturing staff at the
Aflac Cancer Center.
underleveraged sales channel for Aac.
To advance our presence in the broker
arena, we ofcially launched our broker
, in January
2009. We are working to compete for
broker business with quality value-added
services, competitive compensation, and
streamlined and relevant products.
We’ve got you under our wing.
18