In this Podcast Doug Pullman, a member of the Parker, Smith & Feek marketing team, describes the planning and process this top 100 broker went through to prepare for their launch into the world of Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and blogging. Doug discusses the very deliberate and measured approach the brokerage took, the importance of getting not only support but participation by senior management, and how success is tied to having a unified and comprehensive strategy.

Doug explains that the agency goal was to use social networking to help customers and prospects build a personal and emotional connection with the broker. They knew that they needed to be where 25% of their customer base was – the social Web. His advice to other agencies wanting to tap into the opportunity the social web offers: Take it slow, learn from others, and add your own voice.

The podcast was published Monday, August 9, 2010. Run time is 21 minutes 11 seconds.

Paul Peeples, AAI, AIT, CPIM is Vice President of Information Systems at Florida Association of Insurance Agents (FAIA). His technology background, coupled with over 20 years experience in the insurance industry, has provided FAIA innovative ways to communicate with independent agents. In this episode, Paul tells Peter and Rick about ACT’s growing arsenal of social media resources, about life on the leading edge of technology and about FAIA’s free weekly “radio show” called Friday Morning Live!

The podcast was published Monday, March 1, 2010. Run time is 25 minutes 27 seconds.

As Allstate’s social media manager, Marcia Hansen oversees Vehicle Vibes, an automotive blog geared toward women and young adults, and Friender Benders.com, an entertaining and irreverent user-generated content portal. Marcia is also the host of Vehicle Vibes Radio, live at 10am Central on Tuesdays.

As Allstate’s social media guru, Marsha was also a presenter at Aartrijk’s Brand Camp, talking about her role in marketing and the importance of listening to customers and prospects.

The podcast was published Monday, December 28, 2009. Run time is 29 minutes 3 seconds.

In the eleventh episode, Peter and Rick talk with Chris Jordan of Atlanta Insurance Live in Atlanta, Georgia. Chris argues using video and live chat promotes transparency and gives agency owners and agents new ways to connect with their customers. Facebook, Twitter and the other social web tools add to his social media arsenal and provide an avenue to connect and establish relationships.

The podcast was published Monday, December 14, 2009. Run time is 18 minutes 23 seconds.

In the tenth episode, Peter and Rick talk to Aartrijk colleagues Charles Wasilewski, director, Marketing-Communications and Maureen Bentley, vice president, Brand Strategy about their recent experiences at “Brand Camp” September 28-30 in Chicago. The team acknowledge the “time vampire” that social media can be, but instead focus on best-practices strategies and success stories to help manage social media risks in a smart and effective way.

The podcast was published Monday, November 30, 2009. Run time is 19 minutes 34 seconds.

In the ninth episode, Peter and Rick speak with Laura Bergan, VP of Marketing at American Collectors Insurance. The insurance provider has been in the social media space for about a year, providing service and information (at times simultaneously) to agents and insureds.

The podcast was published Monday, November 16, 2009. Run time is 18 minutes 34 seconds.

In the eighth episode, Peter and Rick talk with Anson Thompson of The Thompson Group of Parker City, Indiana about branding and the importance of personality on the web. He also talks about where he gets his ideas and why he’s not afraid to share them.

The podcast was published Thursday, October 29, 2009. Run time is 19 minutes 44 seconds.

In the seventh episode, Peter and Rick talk about what the term “brand” means–and how insurance practitioners are using a new set of tools to bring their brands to consumers.

The podcast was published Friday, October 16, 2009. Run time is 19 minutes 46 seconds.

On Point with Peter van Aartrijk and Rick Morgan is an audio conversation with insurance industry leaders who champion change and challenge all of us to think.

In the fourth episode, Rick and Peter talk to Katie Herbst, Senior Marketing Communications Specialist at Westfield Insurance, about the evolution of social media at Westfield and her role within the organization.

The video was published Tuesday, September 1, 2009. Run time is 26 min 30 seconds.

In the second episode, Cindy Donaldson, Marketing Director at Founders Insurance Group, explains the agency’s use of social marketing tools to reach customers and prospects.

The video was published Wednesday, August 5, 2009. Run time is 15 min 28 sec.