Tuesday, December 5

(NewsUSA) - In American advertising, there are only a
handful of commercials, let alone animals, that consumers can recall. There's Morris the cat, Spuds
McKenzie and a few others, but one that has recently joined the ranks of the memorable is the Aflac
duck.
Ever since he waddled onto television screens in late 1999 quacking the word
"Aflac!" the duck and the Georgia-based insurance giant have become household names.
Two
years after its debut, the duck was seen not only peddling insurance, but also flying off
department store shelves during the holidays. Since 2001, Aflac and Macy's have partnered to sell
collectible versions of the popular duck, with all proceeds donated to children's hospitals
throughout the country. To date, more than $1.2 million has been raised.
"Our customers and
employees love the duck," said Ellen Fruchtman, Macy's divisional vice president of public
relations in Atlanta. "We're pleased that the sale of these ducks is helping the hospitals to
provide much needed life-saving services to children living with cancer."
The
limited-edition talking ducks are on sale starting Nov. 6. This year, they will be available in 140
Macy's locations nationwide. Along with the in-store purchasing option, the philanthropic mascot
can be purchased online at AflacHolidayDuck.com, macys.com or by calling
800-MACYS-4-U.
"Through this partnership, the Aflac Duck has become a philanthropic
symbol," said Al Johnson, Aflac's second vice president of Advertising and Branding. "We love it;
the children love it, and consumers love to support the cause in such a simple way."
This
year, customers can also purchase Aflac Holiday Duck gift cards at participating Macy's stores. The
gift cards are specially designed replicas of the famous Aflac Duck that can be used toward any
purchase in Macy's stores nationwide. A portion of the proceeds benefit participating children's
hospitals.
Thirty-two hospitals, including the Aflac Cancer Center at the Children's
Healthcare of Atlanta and St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn., benefit from
the duck sales.
The ducks are a plush, miniature version of what little ones envision
Santa to be, complete with a beard, rosy red cheeks and a bag full of holiday gifts. They say
"Aflac, Aflac, Aflac!" when squeezed. The cost of the 2006 Holiday Duck is $10 for the 6-inch
version and $15 for the 10-inch size. For more information, visit www.aflac.com.
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