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 [Media & Communications](/taxonomy/term/20012)

 # How Aflac Is Rethinking the Duck, and Pausing Humor During Covid

 

##### Brand chief Shannon Watkins on shifting the ad strategy to be known well, not just well known

 

 

 Aug 21, 2020 2:15 PM ET

  Campaign:  [Duckprints in the Community](/news/campaign/duckprints-community)  ![](/sites/default/files/styles/carousel_2x/public/images/shannon-watkins-on-brand-hed-2020.jpg "Image courtesy Muse by Clio website") Image courtesy Muse by Clio website 

 

[Originally published on Muse by Clio](https://musebycl.io/brand/how-aflac-rethinking-duck-and-pausing-humor-during-covid)

By [Tim Nudd](http://musebycl.io/author/9)

In this week's episode of On Brand, we speak with Shannon Watkins, SVP of brand and the Aflac Studio (IHA) at Aflac. Shannon tells us how the company has been pivoting during Covid to focus on people's needs, rather than on its traditional humor, and how Aflac had been evolving the role of its iconic duck mascot well before the pandemic hit. She also discusses WFH, her company's longtime commitment to diversity, and working in the creative hotbed of Atlanta.

[Read more](https://musebycl.io/brand/how-aflac-rethinking-duck-and-pausing-humor-during-covid)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 [![](/sites/default/files/Clients/4C_pos_Aflac_Logo.png)](/profiles/aflac-incorporated)

 



 

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