AFLAC Duck Debuts in Japan

AFLAC, the leading writer of worksite supplemental insurance, has brought its celebrated duck to Japan with the launch on July 2nd of a national advertising campaign featuring the feathered quacker.

The company hopes he’ll (she’ll?} have the same success at marketing its products in Japan, as in the U.S., where the publicity spots, featuring the duck quacking “AFLAC” at people who remain oblivious to his (her) presence, have been highly successful, even generating a thriving industry in talking toy ducks.

It’s the first time AFLAC has decided to use its alter ego outside the U.S. It already insures one out of every four Japanese households, and the duck will be used primarily to help launch is first accident policies. The toy ducks will come along too, with the company donating all proceeds to Japanese charities, as it does in the U.S.