Aflac Duck and Celebrity Contractor Collaborate On Do-It-Yourself Home Improvement Project

COLUMBUS, Ga., May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac (NYSE: AFL), the leading provider of voluntary insurance in the United States, unveiled its newest television commercial called "The Duck's DIY Project" during "The Voice Season Finale Part 1," which aired last night at 8 p.m. EDT on NBC.

As an extension of the "FORE! Days" commercial, which highlighted how the Aflac Duck lacks golf skills, but is great at paying claims fast, the Aflac Duck takes on a new hobby and tries to fulfill the role of a do-it-yourself handyman. The new commercial continues Aflac's campaign focusing on how the company pays benefits quickly so policyholders can focus on recovering from injury or illness without worrying about their finances.

"In our latest commercial, the Aflac Duck demonstrates that there are countless opportunities for accidents to occur while completing do-it-yourself projects around the house," said Michael Zuna, executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Aflac. "With Aflac, policyholders have peace of mind knowing that if an accident occurs, they'll get cash benefits quickly to help with unexpected expenses – and to help make sure that project gets checked off the list." 

In "The Duck's DIY Project," celebrity licensed contractor Scott McGillivray, host and executive producer of HGTV's "Income Property," is less than impressed with the Aflac Duck's home improvement skills when he hands him a plunger instead of a wrench, can't start a chainsaw and haphazardly aims a pneumatic nailer throughout the garage.

But when McGillivray finds out how quickly Aflac paid his friend's claim for a broken arm – in only four days, he realizes the Aflac Duck might be more helpful than he thought. McGillivray decides he can take a lesson from the Aflac Duck about the benefits of voluntary insurance and getting claims paid fast, but offers his expertise in return by giving the Aflac Duck a pair of safety glasses for his next home improvement endeavor.

To accompany the new television commercial, Aflac is launching a fully integrated marketing campaign, including digital banner ads, public relations outreach and social activations on the Aflac Duck's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube pages.

During the campaign, the Aflac Duck will select three lucky social media fans to receive a visit from a home improvement expert to help knock a quick project off his or her DIY home improvement list. Additionally, fans will watch as craftsmen create small, toy woodcrafts to help illustrate daily out-of-pocket expenses as well as larger-than-life chainsaw carvings of the famous Aflac Duck.

For the first time, Aflac's primary philanthropic cause, childhood cancer, will be a part of the integrated television campaign. The woodworking social media initiative will culminate with the woodcrafts being auctioned to Aflac's independent sales agents with proceeds going to the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.

To learn more about these social media initiatives, fans can follow the Aflac Duck on Facebook and Twitter. To download a copy of "The Duck's DIY Project," please click here.

About Aflac
When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For nearly six decades, Aflac insurance policies have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. In the United States, Aflac is the leading provider of voluntary insurance at the worksite. In Japan, Aflac is the number one life insurance company in terms of individual policies in force. Aflac individual and group insurance products help provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For eight consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2014, FORTUNE magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the 16th consecutive year. Also, in 2014, FORTUNE magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 13th time, ranking the company number one in the life and health insurance category. 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.

About Scott McGillivray
Scott McGillivray is a full-time real estate investor, contractor, television host, writer and educator. McGillivray is best-known as the host of the award-winning HGTV series, Income Property, which is entering its 9th season. McGillivray has also appeared in several other HGTV programs, such as All American Handyman Challenge, and the upcoming Flipping the Block. He has also appeared on such programs as, CNN's Your Money, The Today Show, FOX News, and Entertainment Tonight. McGillivray's latest book, How to Add Value to Your Home, will be released in the US in September, having already hit the bestseller list in Canada. In 2010, he launched "The Lifetime Wealth Academy": a company devoted to sharing his wealth of real estate knowledge with would-be property investors all over North America. Follow him on Facebook: EverythingScottMcGillivray and Twitter: @smcgillivray.

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SOURCE Aflac