When your goal is go from strength to strength, adding all-stars to one's team is a surefire way to do it. And that's exactly what we're doing here at National Underwriter.

In my September editorial I shared my enthusiasm for NU's future, hinting that several positive changes were ahead—and now I'm pleased to reveal one of them. Beginning next month with our January 2014 issue, Laura Toops and Melissa Hillebrand, who most recently served as the top-tier talent behind our sister magazine American Agent & Broker, will bring their valuable perspective on the producer space to the NU team both daily on PC360.com and in our newly expanded print edition, which arrives next month.

The addition of these two talented editors to our editorial staff helps sound the charge for NU as the new year dawns. In 2014 we'll be delivering you an even bigger print edition, with a larger folio size and even more pages filled with the type of informative, relevant and actionable content you've come to expect.

Imagine the best kind of coverage NU already provides, along with even more perspective on how changes to the industry directly affect those who comprise its institutional backbone—agents & brokers—and the picture of our mission going into next year becomes razor sharp. (Incidentally, in case you've ever wondered, we do in fact pay close attention to the feedback you provide in our reader-satisfaction studies; as we continue our mission to deliver you more of what you tell us you enjoy most.)

The expertise shared by Toops and Hillebrand is already well known among their established readership, and their addition to our ranks will only further strengthen our bench. In addition, AA&B's popular lineup of regularly featured columnists will now provide their valuable perspective in NU going forward.

Next, let's address a question that might be raised by some who already enjoy both publications: Why combine the strengths of AA&B and NU?

With two Summit Professional Networks magazines devoted to providing news essential to insurance agents and brokers, one would think there would have been some overlap in readers; surprisingly, that was not the case. Both NU and AA&B have enjoyed largely separate subscriber bases for years. Thus, it only makes perfect sense to bring synergy to our efforts and create one magazine that serves a spectrum of readers, from producers to risk managers, company executives, agency owners and partners, claims professionals and other individuals who do business in the world of property & casualty insurance. It's a content proposition that enables us to give you the best of what each brand has done to date, in a unified package that simply can't be beat.

As a result, our circulation will likewise be bolstered, solidifying NU's position as the premier source for news, features, tradecraft and analysis on the P&C insurance industry and empowering us with a very long reach to anyone who seeks the best content they can find about issues relevant to their insurance business.

This move and other enhancements we have in store for readers mark an exciting new chapter in our history. We are as committed as ever to perpetuating our legacy as the insurance industry's most trusted and respected media brand. We consider it a privilege to be your go-to source.

With that in mind, I welcome your feedback. Communicating with our readers is something I greatly enjoy, and as we move forward I encourage you to e-mail me with your comments, questions, opinions, tips, story suggestions and whatever else may be on your mind with regard to the incredible people and businesses we cover.

I look forward to hearing from you—and I'd like to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a safe, joyous holiday season. Here's to a year of continued blessings and success in 2014.

Special Reports /

Strength to Strength

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