NEW YORK, April 20 / PRNewswire / - Aflac announced today that Institutional Investor has named the Georgia insurance company as soon as the life insurance category for investor relations (IR). Aflac received the top selection among the U.S. companies listed, chosen by more than 1,000 industry analysts representing both the sell side and buy-side investment professionals.

According to institutional investors, both buy-side and sell-side agree that the quality and transparency of corporate financial reporting and communication are paramount, but there are too many differences. Buy Siders - with which IR professionals to focus much of their efforts - most care about the quality and depth answers to their questions, while sell-Sierre want greater access to senior management.

"This honor speaks directly to the philosophy, accessibility and management leadership Aflac, Sr. Vice President of Investor Relations Kenneth S. Janke Jr. said." Our reputation is built on information openness and transparency with independently the hearing or the economic situation. I am proud of our team and grateful for the validation of our efforts over 1000 industry analysts. "

"Although companies may be tempted to withdraw from the shareholders at a difficult time, the best IR teams in the United States actively engaged with their investors," said Tom Buerkle, editor of Institutional Investor's. "Now more than ever, shareholders are looking for clear information, updates from corporate executives. "

To identify key corporate relationships with investors in the U.S., institutional investors surveyed two distinct audiences: (1) sell-side analysts, and 2) buy-side analysts and portfolio managers. This year's ranking is based on the opinions of 417 sell-side analysts and 656 individuals buy-side. Individuals were invited to nominate up to four companies for each attribute used to evaluate the effectiveness of investor relations - six for the buy-side and 15 for the sell-side. They were also asked to nominate companies with the most infrared communication improved during the past year. All voting was conducted on a spontaneous basis.