Aflac Incorporated Consolidates U.S. Marketing and Sales Operations

Michael Zuna named Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing and Sales Officer

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Jun 25, 2012, 05:13 ET

COLUMBUS, Ga., June 25, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL) announced today it has consolidated its U.S. Marketing and Sales teams under the leadership of Michael Zuna, executive vice president, chief marketing and sales officer, who has served as chief marketing officer for the past eighteen months. The change takes effect immediately.

In making the announcement, Paul S. Amos II, president and chief operating officer, Aflac U.S. said, "Aflac has a long positive history of success built upon its extensive career agent and broker sales force, supported by the strong company brand. As we look to the future, it is essential that we build upon these great strengths and expand our overall sales and marketing capabilities. The next chapter in our development begins as we bring sales and marketing together formally, into one integrated division under the leadership of Michael Zuna."

Michael Zuna joined Aflac in October 2009 and was promoted to senior vice president, chief marketing officer in October 2010. Prior to joining Aflac, Michael Zuna was the managing director of Saatchi & Saatchi New York and before that held leadership roles at Arnold Worldwide, Jordan, McGrath Case & Partners and Ogilvy & Mather. 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.

Zuna added, "It is an honor to be asked to build on Aflac's success. I look forward to driving the growth we need to hit our three to eight percent sales target for the year, delivering positive performance for our customers, policyholders, shareholders and employees. Expanding our career agent channel, growing our broker network, broadening our marketing capabilities and driving innovation are at the center of our growth agenda for Aflac."

Tom Giddens, who came out of retirement to take the helm of Aflac's Southeast Territory before becoming senior vice president of U.S. sales, will remain with the company in a senior advisory role. Over the past few years, Giddens and Zuna have partnered to bring the sales and marketing functions together.

In previous positions, Giddens set the company's all time sales record and was the company's top salesperson for three consecutive years. In 2007, his numerous achievements and contributions were recognized when he became the youngest member of the Aflac Sales Hall of Fame, a distinction he still holds today.

"Tom has been a mentor to thousands of successful Aflac associates and coordinators," said Amos.

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. 2012 marked the sixth consecutive year Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as a World's Most Ethical Company. 2012 also marked the 14th year FORTUNE magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For and the 11th time FORTUNE included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies. 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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