| The new comic strips feature the Real Time Eddie character-created in 2007 by the industry's Real Time/Download Campaign-showcasing heroic powers of speed in any situation he is in, whether reading a book or visiting a doctor. "Independent agencies feel the need for speed more than ever," said Joyce Sigler, CISR, CPIW, CPIA, vice president of administration at Jones & Wenner, an insurance agency in Fairlawn, Ohio, and campaign co-chair. "Real Time can help with that. "With the "Speed" comic strips, we want to awaken agency decision-makers to the latest advances in real-time capabilities since they might have last looked. Many agencies, carriers, tech user groups and service providers continually push forward to improve connectivity for independent agencies," Sigler added. Karen Youngman, CPCU, personal lines manager at Don Allen Agency, Rochester, N.Y. and campaign co-chair, pointed out: "We want agency principals, staff and producers to have a quick laugh or at least a chuckle about Eddie's heroic, speedy exploits. But more important, we want them to learn more about and implement real-time capabilities -- so they spend less time on processing and systems-related work and more time with prospects and customers." The Real Time/Download Campaign introduced the new cartoon series with:
Comic strips can be shared from Eddie's Facebook page and are available for posting and publication by emailing RealTime@Aartrijk.com. The Real Time/Download Campaign is a multi-party industry advocacy effort to increase workflow and technology efficiency in the independent agency distribution channel. Real Time is the ability to click on a button from a client file in the agency management system or comparative rater for immediate access to carrier information on that client. The transaction may be a quote, billing inquiry, claim inquiry/loss run, policy view, endorsement or a request for information. About the Real Time/Download Campaign Launched in 2007, the Real Time/Download Campaign (www.getrealtime.org) is dedicated to improving the competitiveness of the independent agency distribution channel. The campaign isn't advocating a specific technology, but a workflow approach that frees up more time for agencies to sell, process and service business. Most agents can leverage tools already contained in their agency management systems or comparative raters. Campaign participants include agents, brokers, carriers, technology providers, user groups, and agent and industry associations. The campaign is led by industry groups and sponsored financially by: ACORD and the ACORD-User Groups Information Exchange (AUGIE), Allied Property & Casualty Insurance/Nationwide, Applied Systems, Applied Systems Client Network (ASCnet), Artizan Internet Services, CNA, EMC Insurance Companies, Erie Insurance, Grange Insurance, Harleysville, The Hartford, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (IIABA) and its Agents Council for Technology (ACT), IVANS, Liberty Mutual Agency Corporation, MetLife Auto & Home, Network of Vertafore Users (NetVU), PIA of New York, New Jersey, Connecticut & New Hampshire, Progressive, Travelers, Vertafore, and Westfield Insurance. www.getrealtime.org # # # |
