Aflac Going Social for Kids Fighting Cancer This Holiday Season

COLUMBUS, Ga., Nov. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac, the number one provider of supplemental insurance in the United States, announced today that the company is asking Thanksgiving Day parade watchers and holiday shoppers to check in and spread the word for kids fighting cancer. The Georgia-based insurer will target users of social powerhouses Facebook and Twitter, along with location- and entertainment-based platforms GetGlue and Foursquare to help meet its goal of raising $1 million for the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta; A top five childhood cancer center in America, according the US News and World Report.

"We're going all out to improve treatments for kids with cancer and to help find a cure," Aflac Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President Michael Zuna said. "The viral nature of these social platforms not only inspires individuals to get involved, it multiplies participation when others in their network join the cause. We are confident that users will want to help Aflac in its mission to stamp out childhood cancer."

Aflac will donate one dollar to the Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorder Service, up to a $1 million dollars, when users take any of the following social actions:

• Check in on a leading social network for entertainment, GetGlue.com, to NBC's coverage of the 85th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.
• Check in with Foursquare – a leading location-based social application that allows users to check in with friends about where they are – while at any Macy's Department store between Thanksgiving Day and December 24th.
• Post a photo on facebook.com/aflacduck that is related to Aflac's promotions supporting the Aflac Cancer Center or any of Aflac's philanthropic promotions being conducted with Macy's.
• Retweet a tweet from the Aflac Duck (@aflacduck) about how to join the fight against childhood cancer.

Aflac-Macy's Partnership Promotions

Aflac Holiday and philanthropy partnership promotions involving Macy's include four key elements: a new Aflac Duck balloonicle that will make its inaugural appearance in the 85th Anniversary Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade; the sale of the 2011 plush Aflac Holiday Duck at more than 670 Macy's across the nation with all proceeds going to the treatment and research of childhood cancer; the Macy's "Believe" Santa Tour that will bring holiday happiness to cities across the country at a variety of local events, including the 25-city bus tour and stops at local pediatric cancer hospitals; and the Macy's Holiday Tree Lightings and Holiday Festivities in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco. For more information go to aflacholidayduck.com.

ABOUT AFLAC

When a policyholder gets sick or hurt, Aflac pays cash benefits fast. For more than 55 years, Aflac insurance policies have helped provide a safety net and 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 insurance products provide protection to more than 50 million people worldwide. For five consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere magazine as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies and by Forbes magazine as one of America's Best-Managed Companies in the Insurance category. In 2011, Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for the 13th consecutive year. Also, Fortune magazine included Aflac on its list of Most Admired Companies for the 10th time in 2011. 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 aflacenespanol.com.

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SOURCE Aflac