Anand Rao Joins Lincoln Financial Group as Vice President, Digital Strategy and User Experience

PHILADELPHIA, Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Lincoln Financial Group (NYSE: LNC) today announced that Anand Rao has joined the company as Vice President of Digital Strategy and User Experience. In this new role, Rao will lead Lincoln Financial's digital strategy and user-based design team to develop and implement comprehensive strategies aligned with our four core businesses -- Defined Contribution, Life, Annuities and Group Protection -- and the enterprise that deliver compelling, innovative digital experiences. Rao reports to Chief Digital Officer Tricia Blair.

"At Lincoln, we are focused on transforming the way we deliver the digital experience so that it is easy to do business with us," said Blair. "We are excited to leverage Anand's strengths in directing and executing our digital strategy and enhancing methodologies for usability and user experience involvement in website applications development."

Rao comes to Lincoln with 14 years of consulting experience in the financial services industry.  Most recently, Rao was a Principal at Diamond Management & Technology Consultants, a division of PricewaterhouseCoopers, where he worked with Life, Retirement and Property & Casualty companies on developing customer experience strategies and mobilizing for business and operational improvement. He holds a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from University of Pune in India, a master's degree in environmental engineering from Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago and a master's degree in business administration from The University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Lincoln Financial Group is the marketing name for Lincoln National Corporation (NYSE: LNC) and its affiliates. With headquarters in the Philadelphia region, the companies of Lincoln Financial Group had assets under management of $157 billion as of December 31, 2010. Through its affiliated companies, Lincoln Financial Group offers: annuities; life, group life and disability insurance; 401(k) and 403(b) plans; savings plans; and comprehensive financial planning and advisory services. For more information, including a copy of our most recent SEC reports containing our balance sheets, please visit www.LincolnFinancial.com.

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SOURCE Lincoln Financial Group