Sales & Marketing

Laura M. Toops suggests 5 strategies to strike a balance of retention and new business acquisition.

Stagnation is deadly to a marketing campaign; marketing should always move forward. Jerry Thompson provides steps to keeping an agency's website and social website fresh and clean.

Question-answering systems such as IBM's "Jeopardy!"-winning Watson are only 3-to-5 years away from general business usage. What is the implication for insurance agents? AA&B Editor Laura Toops talks to Jamie Bisker, IBM industry solutions representative, about both the fears and the anticipation surrounding the advance of this new technology.

Many agencies are joining forces in agency networks—also called associations, aggregators and marketing groups--to find better rates and get the support they need. Here are some questions to answer before you commit to one.

Agents and brokers can play a valuable role in educating doctors and medical practice managers on minimizing risks and choosing the right insurance protection.

Agents and brokers for State Farm and Farmers Insurance are gaining a new tool that will aid them in developing and maintaining a social media strategy while at the same time staying compliant with regulations and branding missions.

Read the latest tweets from Agent & Broker.

The worst economic downturn since the great depression, the uncertainty of health care reform, and the ever-rising cost of care have converged to create a difficult selling landscape for group health. There are emerging opportunities, however, that can help ease the strain.