Financial Services Council:

The Financial Services Company of the Year Award

The DMA Financial Services Company of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding company in the industry.

The award is presented at The DMA2010 Insurance and Financial Services Council Dinner in San Francisco in October.

Nominating Criteria

An eligible Insurance or Financial Services Selling Company:
Any insurance or financial services company, regardless of distribution channel employed, which uses the direct marketing concept as a strategic tool, focusing on business-to-business or consumer markets. Please note that nominated companies MUST BE members of the DMA.

The company must meet the following criteria:

Has displayed consistent use, as well as achievement and a high level of competence, in integrating "state of the art" direct marketing techniques, along with a proven pattern of improved results that can be documented and demonstrated as the result of the application of the direct marketing concept.
Has proven to produce good corporate citizens and improve business while adhering to ethical business practices.
Active in industry organizations and a willing contributor to enhancing the overall image and growth potential of the insurance business using the direct marketing concept.

Nomination Form - Deadline July 23, 2010

*A nominee MUST BE a member of the DMA and the nominator MUST BE a member of the DMA Insurance and Financial Services Council.

2009 Winner

Marsh U.S. Consumer
Accepting: Ron McGinnis, CEO

The Marsh Marketing Data Warehouse (MDW) is an example of our award-winning methods developed by Marsh U.S. Consumer. This cutting-edge central repository stores tens of millions of membership and records of insureds, along with third-party demographic, behavioral, geographic, economic, and cluster data. Because of its size, the Warehouse has consistently resulted in ever-improving results for marketing campaigns across our client base. Marsh was recently recognized with a Gold Award by the National Center for Database Marketing (NCDM) for its predictive modeling techniques. Marsh has worked closely with industry-leading data vendors, such as ChoicePoint, Experian, InfoUSA, Merkle, CACI/ESRI, and Knowledgebase Marketing, to append and apply third-party data to enhance marketing campaigns. The Data Warehouse empowers Marsh to: * create and refine predictive-response models that accurately forecast response rate; * create client profiles and powerful segmentation techniques and statistical analyses to gain insight into a client's population; and * provide the best possible return on investment (ROI).

It is impossible to single out one instance of success because all of Marsh's programs employ strategized use of multimedia channels and integrated cross-media promotions, including direct mail, Web, inbound and outbound telemarketing, print and on-site events. This approach is evidenced by the fact that in the face of the economic downturn and historic market instability, Marsh U.S. Consumer generated a record level of new penetration revenue at the end of 2008 while also delivering expenses significantly under budget. Besides our documented financial success, Marsh U.S. Consumer was recognized by its peers for exemplary marketing accomplishments in 2008: * eight awards (including two Golds and three Silvers) from The Professional Insurance Marketing Association (PIMA); * six awards (including three First Places) from the American Marketing Association (AMA); and * six Outstanding Customer Service certifications from J.D. Power and Associates; Marsh remains the first and only U.S. insurance broker to receive this designation. These recognitions solidify Marsh's position as a world-class marketing organization.

Marsh in 2008 greatly ramped up its Web presence, which increased premium on an order of magnitude. This efficient and spot-on effort, which generated millions in premium, was achieved by creating tools allowing customers to get online quotes, bind coverage online, and manage their accounts online. Our updated e-marketing strategy now includes new partnerships with key e-tailers Walmart.com and Lending Tree; and increased participation in social and professional networking sites (Facebook, LinkedIn, MySpace, and YouTube). Marsh already maintained revenue-producing Web tools: the industry standards CHOICE Auto program and ProLiability.com. Additionally, Smart Business Interactive and Personal Plans Advisor serve as educational tools to enhance the advantage of Marsh products and services. Web roll-outs added in 2008 to support new business initiatives: * GatewayConnexions.com, serving expatriates of many nations traveling abroad; * Trusted Advisor, enriching the advantage of voluntary benefits plans and services; * CampusConnexions.com, supporting the college and university markets; * AlumniConnexions.com, for Alumni clients; * Increased scope of IDTheftSmart.com to support 40 custom client portals; and * Generated 84M impressions on Facebook.

Past Winners

2008 - N/A
2007- Wells Fargo’s Consumer Credit Group
2006 - National Australian Bank
2005 - Gerber Life Insurance Company
2004 - AIG Direct Marketing
2003 - Hartford Financial Services Group
2002 - RBC Financial Group
2001 - Capital One
2000 - Progressive Insurance
1999 - Charles Schwab
1998 - American Bankers Insurance Group
1997 - National General Insurance Company
1996 - SafeCo, Inc.
1995 - AT&T Universal Card
1994 - JCPenney Life Insurance Company
1993 - Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois and DiMark, Inc.

For more information, please contact Lisa Merizio Smith at (212) 790-1567.