Duckprints in the Community

Companies have a responsibility to make the areas in which we live and work better places. Learn more about how we give back to our communities, including how Aflac’s James Mailman was named one of the 2015 Heroes of the Fortune 500 for his support in the fight against childhood cancer.

Videos from this campaign

Content from this campaign

Innovation & Technology

Video | Leveraging Technology for Authentic Social Purpose: My Special Aflac Duck
What does Aflac’s iconic duck have to do with kids facing cancer? Knowing the power of companionship, Aflac paired its brand icon with the latest in social robotics to evolve the company's impact on pediatric cancer. In this panel discussion from the BRITE ’19 Conference, the creators behind My Special Aflac Duck discuss how insights from this initiative can help any brand leverage existing assets, rethink long-term commitments, and boldly embrace innovation to advance purpose.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

“RI Tech and Innovation Report”— Big Win at SXSW by Sproutel, Slater and More
Not only did Sproutel take home the top award in the Robotics and Hardware category at the 22nd annual SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards Presented by KPMG, but the company—along with their co-creators—also took home the people’s choice award for the My Special Aflac Duck, a “comforting companion” for children with cancer. “I’m so very proud of our team for both awards, and they represent very different achievements,” said Aaron Horowitz, co-founder and CEO.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Special Ducks Help Comfort Children Who Are Battling Cancer
The invention, called “My Special Aflac Duck,” was named one of Time Magazine’s best inventions of 2018, and it’s easy to see why, as kids rapidly grow attached to them. “We consider the duck a social robot,” inventor Aaron J. Horowitz said. “He is a constant companion for kids that can really share in the experience that they are having, and can give them a better tool to communicate how they feel.” The duck responds to the touch of a child’s hands, and can even indicate that it’s being tickled, quacking rapidly when it’s tickled under its wings.

Philanthropy & Cause Initiatives

Behind Aflac’s Partnership with Country Music and Its Famous Duck
Aflac is contributing $50,000 to Musicians On Call through ACM Lifting Lives to help develop and fund music-related therapy and education programs.

Social Impact & Volunteering

Growing Your Reputation: Doing Good is Good Business
Today, companies of all kinds view their commitment to corporate social responsibility (CSR) as a key business priority. An impressive 77 percent of business and human resources leaders rated corporate citizenship as important in a recent study by Deloitte.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

Aflac and CMN Hospitals Named a 2019 Halo Awards Finalist
Engage For Good’s Halo Awards are North America’s highest honor for corporate social initiatives and cause marketing and showcase successful consumer engagement and employee engagement efforts. This prestigious CSR, cause marketing and corporate social impact award focuses on initiatives where brand purpose and social impact intersect to help build a better world and the bottom line.

This year, Aflac and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals are proud to be named a finalist in the Best Health Initiative for My Special Aflac Duck.

Health & Healthcare

VIDEO | My Special Aflac Duck​™ Brings Smiles and Laughter to Children's Hospital
The room was filled with smiles and laughter during the My Special Aflac Duck​™ delivery at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital​ in Columbia, South Carolina. The delivery followed more than 18 months of child-centered research aimed at creating a caring companion for children with cancer.

Innovation & Technology

TIME Magazine Honors Innovative My Special Aflac Duck™
Aflac, the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the United States and a committed leader in seeking a cure for childhood cancer, today announced that its innovative “smart” robot My Special Aflac Duck™ has been named to TIME Magazine’s list of the 50 Best Inventions for 2018. My Special Aflac Duck, designed by Sproutel, is a social robot that uses medical play, lifelike movement, and emotions to engage and help comfort kids during their cancer care. Earlier this year, My Special Aflac Duck was named Best in Show and received the coveted Tech for Good Award at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Health & Healthcare

Sweeten the Holidays with the 2018 Aflac Holiday Duck
Aflac, the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the worksite in the United States and a committed corporate ally in the cause to help defeat childhood cancer, today introduced its 2018 Aflac Holiday Duck. One hundred percent of net proceeds from sales of the limited-edition plush at select Macy’s nationwide and online benefit The Aflac Foundation, Inc. and will be distributed to participating hospitals across the country providing treatment and care to children with cancer.

Awards, Ratings & Rankings

CEO Dan Amos Awarded Key to the City in Columbia, South Carolina, for Aflac's Work With Pediatric Cancer Patients
After a successful delivery of My Special Aflac Duck™ to pediatric cancer patients at Palmetto Health Children's Hospital, Aflac CEO Dan Amos was awarded the Key to the City of Columbia, South Carolina, by Mayor Steve Benjamin. He was recognized for his work leading corporate responsibility efforts in Columbia and across the country.

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