1. What were the key problem issues regarding John Hancock=s image both locally internationally? Cite and explain. According to the case, many executives felt that the company was perceived as Aa staid and stodgy insurance company....The public [also] perceived the company as responsible, but not very interesting nor innovative.
With the company=s strategy moving toward diversified financial services, John Hancock=s management decided that something had to be done to discard the company=s image as an unprogressive insurance company@ (p. 4).
This image was partially of necessity, because insurance is not the most media-friendly of industries, and most people wince when they hear the word. In addition, any campaign to enliven the company=s image must be done within the strictures of the fact that it is basically a financial company, one that deals with people=s assets and futures.
2. What were consumer perceptions of John Hancock?
Most consumer research showed that the public thought that John Hancock was safe, yet stodgy. There had been some public criticism some 10 years before the case when there was a problem with the new building. AThe company was known as the life insurance company that could not keep the windows from popping out of its new 60-story office headquarters building, the tallest in New England@ (p. 4)
3. Based on the data provided in the case, list the benefits and detriments to John Hancock for sponsoring the Sun Bowl? Cite and