Totem Goes Direct
Totem marketing savvy wins GEICO nod
Toronto, ON - August 25, 2010 Totem
Communications Group, one of North America's leading custom
publishers and brand storytellers, has been chosen to relaunch
GEICO Direct magazine and develop a soon-to-be-launched
digital-content program on behalf of GEICO, the
third-largest private passenger auto insurer in the U.S.
Totem began its partnership with GEICO by refreshing the design
and editorial of the spring/summer 2010 issue of GEICO
Direct magazine, while retaining all the best of a
customer-magazine program that has been a cornerstone of GEICO's
customer-retention efforts. The magazine, published twice a year,
reaches more than 7.5 million GEICO policyholders. The companion
digital program will include original offerings that both stand on
their own and expand upon the print magazine editorial.
"We see Totem as the ideal partner to lift the GEICO
Direct program to the next level," says GEICO's VP Marketing
Ted Ward. "Totem brings outstanding content-marketing expertise to
the program, and we are looking forward to a long-term
partnership."
Totem is developing the program as a key pillar in
GEICO's ongoing customer-loyalty efforts and its commitment to
customer service, financial strength and competitive products and
services.
Totem's first issue of GEICO Direct covers a wide
variety of topics: One article outlines all the benefits to
policyholders who get their home and condo insurance products
through GEICO Insurance Agency. Another features a policyholder's
first-hand account of how GEICO was there for her when she needed
them most after her car was stolen.
Readers will be entertained by a look at the drive-in movie
theatre, a summer stalwart that's making a comeback as a magical
family entertainment option. The magazine also helps readers find
the best summer road-trip burgers, the country's biggest gathering
of twins, and hidden treasures with just a GPS device and a little
sense of adventure.
"We welcome this exceptional new partnership and the opportunity
to build on the heritage of both the GEICO Direct program
and the GEICO brand," says Totem SVP Business
Development Joseph Barbieri. "It is indeed a privilege to include
GEICO in our family of clients."
GEICO Direct magazine not only offers GEICO
policyholders vital news and information about the company's
products and services in a lively and engaging format, but also
exciting lifestyle editorial reflective of their lives, including
articles on home and family, car and driving issues, domestic
travel and financial well-being.
About Totem Communications Group
Totem creates branded content and custom-media programs by
combining best-in-class journalism and marketing talent to build
meaningful customer relationships and drive clients' business
objectives. Totem has offices in Toronto and New York and is part
of Transcontinental Inc.'s Marketing Communications Sector. Totem's
North American client roster includes Procter & Gamble, The
Home Depot, Canadian Automobile Association (CAA), Frito-Lay,
Sears, Sobeys, The Principal Financial Group, Rexall, Mazda
International, Aeroplan Group, Bank of America and more. Totem has
won more than 170 national and international awards. For more
information about Totem and to view its portfolio, please visit .
About GEICO
GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of
the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the third-largest
private passenger auto insurer in the United States. GEICO provides
auto insurance coverage for 9 million policyholders and insures
more than 16 million vehicles.
In addition to auto insurance, GEICO offers customers insurance
products for their motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs), and
mobile homes. Coverage for life, boats, homes and apartments
is available through the GEICO Insurance Agency. Commercial
auto insurance and personal umbrella protection are also
available.
As a member of the Berkshire Hathaway group of companies, GEICO
is rated A++ for financial strength by A.M. Best Company, and ranks
at the top of several national customer-satisfaction surveys. For
more information, go to http://www.geico.com.
Media contacts:
GEICO
Christine Tasher, Director, GEICO Public Relations
ctasher@geico.com
Totem
Joseph Barbieri, SVP Marketing & Business Development
joseph.barbieri@totembrandstories.com