Recognize the bubbly brunette in the picture?

Nah? Why that’s actress and comedian Stephanie Courtney (Mad Men, Kath & Kim, The Heartbreak Kid, Blades of Glory, etc.). Still doesn’t ring a bell?

Dip into the blog-o-sphere of contemporary culture and you’ll quickly discover she’s the unassuming ICON of a growing cult following. A quick Google of her name will alert you to discussion groups dedicated to her commercial (and romantic) worship. With questions and comments like – and you’re about to discover who this hottie is – “Am I the only one completely and totally enamored of the woman in the television ads for Progressive car insurance? You know, the ones starring that babelicious brunette named Flo with her 'tricked-out name tag' and her '60s style eye makeup and her kissable red, red lips?" And, “She's hot." "She's weird but, God, she's fine!" And – from those more willing to share their every disturbing thought, dreams and confessions I am not going to share with you here.

What’s wrong with Stephanie? As far as I know, nothing. What’s wrong with her alter-ego, FLO, the “Progressive Girl?” Nothing. Unless you’re an insurance agent. Unless you don’t care that her latest commercial (available and routinely reviewed on Youtube) has her saying:

“Are you a safe driver? Discount! Do you own a home? Disount! imageAre you going to buy online? (Shouting.) DISCOUNT!” 

Because, the message suggests, you don’t need to speak to an agent. In fact, IT’S MORE EXPENSIVE, SO LET’S CUT OUT THE MIDDLEMAN. Throw in over half a billion dollars for GEICO’s ad budget and an unknown but sophisticated online marketing campaign for Esurance...and you’ve got the devil slithering in your back door.

And do NOT think for a moment that commercial lines agents are untouched. The consumer is rapidly “learning” that insurance is a commodity where the ONLY distinguishing feature is price. And the easiest solution to the price problem is also the solution to the “I don’t want to talk to an insurance salesperson” problem AND the solution to the “time problem.”

The Internet is now a PRIME TIME problem. But it can also be a very, very powerful opportunity for insurance agents. After all, you have advantages that major companies will NEVER have. They have to INVENT personalities – Flo, The Gecko, etc. – because their advertising companies understand that people prefer to do business with PEOPLE, not “institutions.” What’s your advantage? You are a REAL PERSON – and yes, you can communicate that with speed, power and reach on the Internet.

The impact of the Internet is about to be so great on the insurance industry, we’ve put together another free tele-seminar (yup, free) for Marketing Rebels. To register or find out more, click here: http://www.internetmarketing4agents.com/

And for those who want to learn what other agents are doing about their Internet strategies, click here: www.insuranceinternetmegaconference.com

Dominate Your Marketplace!

Michael