The event features Jerry Davies, AVP of Media & Public Relations for Farmers Insurance, who will present The Eye of the Media Storm: Communicating During Catastrophic Coverage. He will explain how careful preparation and a dose of empathy will deliver the best results for insurers when facing catastrophic communication situations.
“The IMCA Annual Conference offers insurance professionals a terrific opportunity to network with industry peers and develop meaningful connections,” said Linda J. Collins, IMCA president and VP of Corporate Communications at Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. “Our outstanding roster of speakers will also ensure that attendees come away from the meeting armed with fresh ideas and new approaches to their individual marketing and communication efforts.”
Keynote speaker Ken Crerar, president and CEO of The Council of Insurance Agents and Brokers (CIAB), will kick off the meeting with, Insurance Industry Insight. Don Hurzeler, author and retired CEO and president of Zurich Insurance Middle Markets, will present The Importance of Differentiating Yourself.
Leading insurance executives will participate in a valuable panel discussion, Trends in Insurance Marketing and Communications – A View from the Top. The panel features Hans Heukelum, SVP of Global Marketing & Communications at Aon Risk Solutions, Sarah German, VP Communications & Marketing at XL Group, and Frank Thompson, VP of Marketing at Shelter Insurance.
The 2012 IMCA Annual Conference agenda also features:
• When Did Personal Auto Become a Laughing Matter? – Jeremy Bowler, Senior Director of Insurance Practice at JD Power & Associates
• Marketing in the Nanosecond Culture – Richard Honack, Lecturer of Executive Programs for Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management
• Brand Resilience: Managing Risk and Recovery in a High Speed World – Jonathan Chopulsky, Principal at Deloitte Consulting
• Investing in the Future of Our Industry – Diane Mattis, Executive Director at INVest
• Connecting with Consumers: Boosting Response Using QR and Mobile Advertising Techniques – Richard Goldman, Founder and CEO of Competiscan
• What Are the Numbers Really Telling You? – Anne-Marie Duffy, Co-president of Phoenix Marketing
• Advanced Social Media Marketing – Harry Gold, CEO and Managing Partner of Overdrive Interactive
The IMCA Annual Conference is also the location for the IMCA ShowcaseTM Awards, the longest-running creative awards competition for insurance marketing and communications professionals. The Showcase Awards Gala will take place on June 26 and will feature industry-leading marketing and communications work. Elite entries will be recognized with the Awards of Excellence and Best in Show in 35 categories, including corporate communications, electronic, print, social and broadcast media, and internal and external communications. The desirable SAMMYTM award, the top Showcase recognition, will be presented to the overall best submission as voted by meeting attendees.
This year, a special IMCA Showcase presentation will feature Larre Johnson, partner and creative director of Big Honkin Ideas. Johnson will also present, How to Get an Idea to Market and How to Un-Market an Idea, during the meeting’s workshop sessions.
Sponsors of the 2012 IMCA Annual Conference include A.M. Best Company, Business Insurance, Grinnell Mutual, Independent Agent Magazine, Insurance Journal, Main Street America Group, Phoenix Marketing International, Risk & Insurance, The Co-Operators and The Institutes. To register or learn more about the IMCA Annual Meeting or the Showcase Awards, visit www.imcanet.com.
About IMCA
The Insurance Marketing and Communications Association (IMCAsm) is an international organization of insurance professionals specializing in marketing, communications, advertising, sales promotion, public relations and media relations. The oldest insurance marketing and communications association in North America, it began as the Insurance Advertising Conference (IAC) in 1923 and was renamed in 1984 to better depict the evolving roles of insurance communicators. IMCA’s purpose is to promote excellence in insurance marketing and communications, improve the professional skills of members, foster the sharing of ideas and experiences among members and promote a positive image of the insurance industry.