John Hancock Investments Honored for Advisor Communications at Mutual Fund Education Alliance STAR Awards

BOSTON, Dec. 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --  John Hancock Investments won a total of six awards, including top honors in the Overall Advisor Digital Technology category, for the large companies group (more than $100 billion in assets under management), at the recent STAR Awards ceremony presented by the Mutual Fund Education Alliance (MFEA).

The award for Overall Advisor Digital Technology recognized the John Hancock Advisor website, including such business-building tools as iDiversify, Portfolio Insight, and Proposal Builder. Regarding this award, the judges' remarks included the following comments:  "Fun, engaging, informative, useful and practical.  By far a comprehensive, client-centric digital offering."

"Providing tools and education that help both advisors and their clients is a top priority for us at John Hancock Investments," said Karen A. McCafferty, Senior Vice President and head of marketing for John Hancock Investments.

Below is a recap of John Hancock Investments' awards in the other MFEA categories, with judges' commentary:

• Advisor Introduction Kit:  "An extremely cohesive and a visual 'wow.' Excellent job overall."
• Advisor Electronic Newsletter:  "Advisors are sure to get great value out of this piece."
• Advisor Online Services: "Advisors should definitely open this email!"
• Advisor Website: "A robust offering with several unique and highly useful tools."
• Advisor Mobile Apps: "Very engaging."

For 17 years, MFEA's STAR awards have been presented annually in recognition of mutual fund companies that excel in education, marketing, and communications for shareholders, financial advisors, retirement plan participants, and the investing public. John Hancock Investments was among the fund companies honored at a MFEA ceremony in Chicago.

About the STAR Awards and the Mutual Fund Education Alliance

The STAR Awards program was designed to honor the fund industry for its extraordinary efforts to communicate with and market to investors in ways that support shareholders and their investment goals. For nearly 20 years, the STAR Awards program has distinguished itself as the premier fund industry competition that encourages excellence and fosters improvement and innovation. The Mutual Fund Education Alliance is the national trade association for mutual fund companies that offer funds direct, through supermarkets or through third parties, and financial advisors. The association provides a variety of services, information, and resources designed to support the marketing and investor education initiatives of its member firms and enhancing the public's awareness of the beneficial use of mutual funds. It provides a dynamic forum for mutual fund executives and fund industry business partners and fosters member success through the exchange of information, shared intelligence and commentary, and strong networking among colleagues. For more information, visit www.mfea.info.

About John Hancock Investments

John Hancock Investments provides asset management services to individuals and institutions through a unique manager-of-managers approach. We combine unbiased asset management with vigorous investment oversight to offer investors a deeper level of diversification and proven results across asset classes. A wealth management business of John Hancock Financial, we managed more than $100 billion in assets as of September 30, 2013, across mutual funds, college savings plans, and retirement plans.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife Financial, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada, and the United States. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents, and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$575 billion (US$559 billion) as at September 30, 2013. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, fixed products, investments,  401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Investments