Pinnacle Partners to Help PIA Members Climb to the Top

Carriers support independent agency marketing initiative through new program

WASHINGTON, May 16, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Association of Professional Insurance Agents (PIA National) today announced the launch of its Pinnacle Partner Program. This new initiative is part of PIA National's award-winning PIA Branding Program, through which PIA National makes advertising and marketing materials available to PIA members across America.

Pinnacle Partners are the PIA Branding Program's highest level of sponsors. Pinnacle Partners are highly regarded insurance companies that demonstrate their commitment to the independent agency distribution system and financially support the development of new marketing tools which will be made available to PIA members through PIA Branding Program. The 2012 Pinnacle Partners are Bankers Insurance Group, Encompass Insurance, Erie Insurance, Harleysville Insurance, Progressive Insurance, QBE the Americas, State Auto Group, The Hartford and The Motorists Insurance Group.

"Since its inception five years ago, agents across America have benefited from the print and radio ads that PIA makes available through the PIA Branding Program," said Stan Logan, chairman of the PIA National Image Committee. "With the launch of the Pinnacle Partner Program, PIA has the additional financial support of major national and regional companies so that we can develop the next generation of marketing and sales tools for professional, independent insurance agents."

Through the PIA Branding Program's web portal, www.piabrandingprogram.com, PIA members have access to a large collection of print and radio advertisements, in both English and Spanish. These ads are made available to PIA members free of charge for use in their local markets.

The PIA Branding Program also publishes the annual Agency Marketing Guide, which is distributed free to every PIA member in the nation. This publication helps agents stay abreast of marketing trends affecting independent agents. Past editions of the Agency Marketing Guide have focused on Internet marketing and social media use by independent agents.

"We are proud to stand side-by-side with our Pinnacle Partners as we work to help PIA members increase their market share," said PIA National Executive Vice President & CEO Leonard C. Brevik. "The support of our Pinnacle Partners will help us develop a new series of marketing tools for PIA members. These new tools will enable PIA members to continue to market their agencies in traditional media while also providing marketing support in new mediums such as the Internet, social media and more. Our goal is to ensure that PIA members are prepared to compete for business in 2012 and beyond."

"In the coming weeks we will be announcing an exciting new Internet marketing initiative which will enable PIA members to attract high quality sales leads," said Alexi Papandon, vice president of marketing and affiliate relations for PIA National. "We plan to turn the Internet on its head by positioning participating independent agents as local, knowledgeable and trustworthy heroes, ready to help local Internet searchers with their insurance related questions and needs. Through their financial support, our Pinnacle Partners have helped make this possible."

Founded in 1931, PIA is a national trade association that represents member insurance agents and their employees who sell and service all kinds of insurance, but specialize in coverage of automobiles, homes and businesses. PIA members are Local Agents Serving Main Street America(SM). PIA's web address is www.pianet.com.

This press release online at: http://www.pianet.com/news/press-releases/2012/piapinnaclepartners051612

SOURCE National Association of Professional Insurance Agents