CHICAGO, March 16, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- Ibbotson Associates, the leading provider of asset allocation and investment knowledge and tools, today introduced the Ibbotson SalesBuilder Sales Ideas Subscription Series-one-page sales ideas that communicate complex financial concepts. The one-sheet series are NASD-reviewed for client use. Ibbotson is targeting mutual fund and variable annuity distributors as sponsors to disseminate these ideas to representatives.
"In today's crowded marketplace, wholesalers need to differentiate themselves from the competition. Having timely, topical, NASD-reviewed sales ideas available at a moment's notice can help wholesalers pitch their products to distributors and broker/dealers immediately," said Mark Kowalczyk, vice president of sales and marketing.
The Ibbotson Sales Ideas program offers new sales ideas every month explaining hot investment issues. Additionally, sales ideas can be customized to fit a company's needs, from adding logos to using the content for intranet sites to reformatting for marketing materials. Examples of topics include:
-- Retirement Planning - Discusses how to manage the income phase
of an investor's life.
-- Index Investing - Examines how a small number of stocks comprise
a majority of the S&P 500's market value, and how investment
products may be added to diversify a portfolio.
-- Market Timing - Explains why hanging tough during rough times in
the market may be more advantageous in the long run than trying to
time the market.
-- Chasing Top Performers - Shows why investors should fight the
temptation to chase "hot" stocks - includes historical data proving
that stock winners don't always repeat.
HighMark Funds, the proprietary fund family of Union Bank of California, N.A., recently became an Ibbotson Partner and has full access to the firm's Sales Ideas Subscription Series. "The Sales Ideas Subscription Series has been an excellent companion to HighMark's sales initiatives," said Greg Knopf, Managing Director - HighMark Capital Mangement. "Because the NASD has already reviewed these sales sheets, our wholesalers have been able launch sales programs without delay."
Ibbotson Associates
Ibbotson Associates, founded by Professor Roger Ibbotson in 1976, is the world's leading authority on asset allocation, providing products and services to help investment professionals make the best asset allocation decisions for their clients.
The company's business lines include consulting and research; investment forecasting, planning and analysis software; educational services ranging from on-site workshops to computer based training; and a widely used line of presentation materials designed to educate clients on asset allocation concepts and investment principles. With offices in Chicago and New York, Ibbotson Associates fills a growing need in the finance and investment industry for an independent, single source provider of investment knowledge, practical application expertise, leading edge technology, educational services and sales presentation tools. Ibbotson markets its integrated product line of investment analytical tools and services to institutional money managers, plan sponsors, and consultants for quantitative analysis, high level decision making and presentations. The company's clients also include financial planners, brokers, mutual fund firms, private bankers and small money managers.