Manulife Financial 'Gets Involved' by Sponsoring TVO's Volunteerism Initiative

TORONTO, Jan. 9, 2013 /CNW/ - TVO announced today that Manulife Financial will sponsor TVO's Get Involved initiative celebrating volunteerism and the value of engaging in your community. In the two-year deal Manulife Financial will be supporting a series of documentary short films produced by q media solutions that motivate people to effect positive change, and an interactive online hub at Getinvolved.ca that connects people with volunteer opportunities.

The documentaries, which air in primetime as interstitials on TVO and are available at Getinvolved.ca, profile people from 7-70 who are making a difference in their schools, in their community and through their work. The portraits give people hope for the future, inspire them to get involved and demonstrate the value of an active, engaged citizenry and volunteerism.

"With this partnership we have an opportunity to share the important message of volunteerism," says Nicole Boivin, Chief Branding and Communications Officer, Manulife Financial. "We are proud to be supporting this motivational documentary series and hope that it will inspire more individuals to get involved and invest time in their communities."

Some of the people profiled in Get Involved include: Blake Golding, a CEO who has created a social safety net for soldiers on active duty; Seana O'Neill, a former film producer turned cancer support agent; and Amanda Belzowski, a 10‐year‐old lemonade stand titan who has raised over $100,000 for a cause dear to her heart.

While the Get Involved profiles will inspire us, Getinvolved.ca, the online complement to the series, will transform that inspiration into action. With the support of TVO, Volunteer Canada and Manulife Financial, Getinvolved.ca has created a powerful matching tool that pairs individuals with charities, non‐profits and NGOs whose goals they share.

"TVO is delighted to have the generous financial support of Manulife Financial," says TVO's Chief Executive Officer Lisa de Wilde. "This sponsorship represents the type of important revenue sources that are crucial to TVO's sustainability. Manulife's commitment to building a culture of volunteerism aligns perfectly with TVO's vision to empower Ontarians to be engaged citizens."

About TVO

TVO is Ontario's public educational media organization and a trusted source of interactive educational content that informs, inspires and stimulates curiosity and thought. TVO's vision is to empower people to be engaged citizens of Ontario through educational media. TVO is funded primarily by the Province of Ontario and supported by sponsors and thousands of donors. For more information, visit tvo.org.

About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. In 2012, we celebrate 125 years of providing clients strong, reliable, trustworthy and forward-thinking solutions for their most significant financial decisions. Our international network of employees, agents and distribution partners offers financial protection and wealth management products and services to millions of clients. We also provide asset management services to institutional customers. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$515 billion (US$523 billion) as at September 30, 2012. The Company operates as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia and primarily as John Hancock in the United States.

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.

Where to Find TVO

On air: Over-the-air (may vary in some areas) Cable channel 2 (may vary in some areas) Bell TV channel 209 TVO HD on Bell Fibe TV channel 1209 Rogers TVO HD channel 580 Shaw Direct channel 353

Websites: tvo.org tvokids.com tvoparents.com ilc.org

Online: YouTube TV Online iTunes BlackBerry App World™

Connect: Facebook Twitter

SOURCE: TVO

Media contacts:

Paul Ginis
TVO Communications and Marketing
416.484.2600 x 2445
[email protected]

Tracy Van Kalsbeek Manulife Financial
519.594.4697
[email protected]