Esurance Selects Duncan/Channon as New Creative Agency

Collaboration Marks a Milestone for Esurance

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SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16 /PRNewswire/ -- Esurance, the direct-to-consumer personal auto insurance company, has awarded brand positioning and creative advertising duties for its advertising account to San Francisco-based agency Duncan/Channon.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090826/ESURANCELOGO)

After a selection process involving many agencies across the United States, Esurance chose Duncan/Channon as its creative agency of record. Prior to hiring Duncan/Channon, Esurance handled in-house all its creative work, which included the development of its well-known pink-haired icon, Erin Esurance. Esurance will continue to work with MPG New York, a HAVAS Media company, its national television-buying partner.

On the selection of Duncan/Channon, Esurance chief marketing officer, John Swigart, stated, "We were deeply impressed with both their strategic thinking and creative concepts. Their presentation was on-brief, insightful, and inventive. And the chemistry was right, too. We think Duncan/Channon is the perfect partner to help take Esurance and Answer Financial, our affiliated insurance agency, to the next level in our second decade."

Swigart continued, "2010 will be an exciting year for Esurance, as we look to focus our brand message and position to better reflect Esurance's and Answer Financial's strengths for today's auto insurance consumers. Erin will continue to play an important role in our advertising, as she is a defining representation of our brand, but the message around her will evolve."

Said Duncan/Channon general manager Andy Berkenfield, "It was an exhaustive process, but in the end our original approach to their very competitive business was the best fit. We see tremendous possibilities for this innovative brand."

In an industry dominated by large, free-spending players who have been in business for decades, it's all the more remarkable that, in just 10 years, Esurance has become one of the nation's top names in direct auto insurance. Currently, Esurance is the third-most recognized auto insurance brand among online consumers. By innovatively combining the best in Web-enabled technologies and industry know-how, Esurance continues to improve the insurance experience for consumers.

About Esurance®

Esurance, a subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM - News), provides personal auto insurance direct-to-consumers online and through select online agents. Through hassle-free coverage, 24/7 customer service, and competitive prices, Esurance is dedicated to constantly improving the way people shop for, buy, and manage their auto insurance. By combining the best of technology with industry know-how, Esurance is able to offer hassle-free coverage with 24/7 customer service and claims handling at competitive prices.

Through Esurance's Web site, www.esurance.com, customers can get instant quotes, view comparison quotes, buy an Esurance policy, and print their insurance cards in just minutes. Esurance also offers policyholders the ability to make policy changes and file claims instantly online, demonstrating its commitment to improving the entire insurance process from quote to claim.

About Answer Financial

Headquartered in Encino, California, Answer Financial, Inc. (AFI) is an Esurance sister-company and subsidiary of White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. (NYSE: WTM - News). AFI offers a variety of insurance products, including auto insurance, homeowners/renters insurance, life insurance, health insurance, dental insurance, and specialty insurance. Insurance shoppers can visit www.answerfinancial.com or call one of AFI's licensed insurance agents at 1-800-233-3028.

About Duncan/Channon

Recently honored by the American Association of Advertising Agencies as one of the top three small agencies in the country, Duncan/Channon is a full-service ad, design, and interactive firm in downtown San Francisco. Other longtime Duncan/Channon clients include Hard Rock International, Birkenstock USA, Jackson Family Wines, and Sega USA. The agency was founded in 1990 by Executive Creative Directors Robert Duncan and Parker Channon. For more information, visit www.duncanchannon.com.

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