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imagined. Our efforts have spanned the globe, and we now
have three locations of the Aflac Parents House in Japan,
which is a home away from home for parents of children
receiving treatment for cancer and other serious diseases.
Giving back is the right thing to do and has a ripple effect.
I believe that by being a strong corporate citizen, you
ultimately have the opportunity to attract better people,
who in turn make your company that much stronger, which
enhances future success. Aflac is fortunate in that our
people have helped our company achieve our operating
earnings objectives for 25 consecutive years. That’s
important, because let’s be clear: Profits and shareholder
returns determine whether a company is successful or
not. But all things being equal, employees, investors and
customers would rather do business with a company that’s
also a good corporate citizen. I think of Aflac as a company
that is driven to meet our objectives and along the way, we
are driven to help everyone we touch. And I think that’s a
great combination.
Q
As chairman and CEO, what do you see as your role in
championing Aflac’s success?
A
I see my role as creating a singular, straightforward vision
for Aflac – one that is both attainable and challenging –
and most importantly, one that contains a philosophy that
everyone embraces and understands. Obviously, carrying
out a successful vision is not a job for one person. So I
work hard to put the right people in the right positions to
accomplish the right tasks, and then I work to align our
sales channels and corporate employees to bring our
vision to life.
Q
How do you feel about the financial strength of Aflac?
A
Our company is strong, and that strength is reflected in our
capital levels, which form the foundation upon which our
promise to policyholders rests. Not only did our 2014 RBC
ratio and SMR surpass prior-year levels, but these capital
ratios also exceeded our annual objectives. Also, our financial
strength ratings, which reflect our ability to pay claims,
are strong at A+ (Superior) by A.M. Best, Aa3 by Moody’s, AA-
by S&P and AA- by Rating & Investment Information Inc. (R&I).
Q
How has the evolution of the Aflac brand in the United
States and in Japan benefited your business?
A
We pioneered supplemental/voluntary insurance in both the
United States and Japan and have been building a strong
brand ever since, most notably since the Aflac Duck came
on the scene in the United States and Japan in 2000 and
2003, respectively. Our advertising campaign has had a
dramatic impact on our business and our corporate culture,
and the importance of the strong Aflac brand cannot be
underestimated. The Aflac Duck has helped make Aflac a
household name. But our brand is much more than a bright
logo or a catchy slogan, or even the Aflac Duck. Our brand
is one of our most valuable assets because it represents
who we are – the spirit of our people in Japan and the
United States who represent the face of our products and
who build trust with businesses, policyholders, consumers,
our field force and brokers. We’re pleased that the Aflac
brand is also both well-known and well-respected. Having
a trusted and friendly brand has helped open many doors
for Aflac. Our brand represents who we are as a company
and reflects how our constituents see us, so we’re very
protective of maintaining our reputation.
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