Manulife Financial's Canadian Division captures 12 awards in international
competition

WATERLOO, ON, Sept. 24 /CNW/ - Marketing and communications projects from across Manulife Financial's Canadian Division received a record number of awards in the 2009 Insurance and Financial Communicators Association (I.F.C.A.) international awards competition. The awards were distributed during the association's recent annual meeting in St. Louis , Missouri.

Teams from Manulife Bank, Individual Insurance, and Group Savings and Retirement Solutions were recognized for their outstanding work with customer advertising campaigns, customer education materials, and employee communications.

"The range of projects receiving recognition attests to Manulife's continuing commitment to provide innovative resources for advisors, customers, and our employees," said Paul Rooney , President and Chief Executive Officer, Manulife Canada . "I'm very proud of our staff for these industry-leading achievements."

Best of Show trophies (the top honour available) were awarded to outstanding entries deemed leaders in their categories for quality, clarity, and effectiveness by judging panels across North America . Manulife initiatives earned Best of Show recognition in five categories:

    
    Individual Insurance

      Long-Term Care e-Book (internally developed communications electronic)
      Staff Meeting Materials (special employee communications)

    Group Savings and Retirement Solutions (GSRS)
      New Employee Enrolment Kit (benefits and pensions print materials)
      Jumbo Sales Proposal (prospect and customer promotion integrated print
       and electronic)
      Investment Basics (rich media on demand)

    Awards of Excellence were earned on these projects:

    Manulife Bank
      What's Your Manulife One Number (television commercial)
      What's Your Manulife One Number (combined ad campaign)

    Individual Insurance
      New Business Service Report (field communications)

    Group Savings and Retirement Solutions (GSRS)
      Annual Plan Member Summary Statement (wild card)

    Honourable Mention recognition was received by:

    Manulife Bank
      What's Your Manulife One Number (print ad campaign)
      What's Your Manulife One Number (banking)

    Group Savings and Retirement Solutions (GSRS)
      Reveal Your Hidden Perk (trade advertising)
    

About the Insurance and Financial Communicators Association

The I.F.C.A. is one of the longest-standing professional organizations dedicated to financial services communications. Founded in 1933, the Association provides professional development networks and opportunities to marketing and communication professionals from financial services firms across the globe.

About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 22 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through 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 Cdn$421 billion (US$362 billion) as at June 30, 2009 .

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 www.manulife.com.

For further information: Media Contact: Tom Nunn, Manulife Financial, [phone], [email protected]