Complete 2024 Co-Op Guidelines

Georgia Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company encourages agents to promote their business in their local communities. Through the Co-Op Advertising Program, agents can be reimbursed for a portion of their advertising expenses. This program is designed to help agents grow their business and also ensure consistent brand messaging on both the state and regional level.

Table of Contents

 

Co-Op Guidelines

Co-Op Program Details

The Agency Manager (or designee) is responsible for contracting, placing, and paying for the advertising. Agency Managers & Agents are responsible for paying the advertising cost, prior to requesting reimbursement. Proof of payment (e.g. copy of check or credit card transaction) must be submitted to qualify for reimbursement. Payment for advertising cannot be made with a county Farm Bureau check. Some advertising - such as print, digital and promotional items not purchased through a Preferred Vendor - requires prior approval from Info/PR.

In order to be approved, all advertising must follow the GFB Branding Guidelines and have the proper GFB logo. 

Each county is assigned a co-op limit based upon the budget, size of the agency and historical spending patterns.

 

Co-Op Program Approval Process

The Agency Manager will have the authority to make all decisions regarding local participation in this program, and checks will be made payable only to the Agency Manager unless he/she designates payment should go to a specific agent on the Reimbursement Form.

All co-op submissions should be submitted through the Reimbursement Form, where it will be reviewed. The Agency Manager will be notified when the submission is approved and sent to the Accounting Department for processing.

 

Logos and Disclaimers

Improper logo use is the most common reason submissions are rejected. Please check with the Marketing Team if there is any question. Vendors often pull logos from the internet or recreate them with incorrect fonts and colors, and these submissions will not be reimbursed.  Logos can be accessed here.

  • All advertising must have the correct, unaltered, original corporate logo with ® registration mark to be considered for co-op.
  • Agents must use the Farm Bureau Insurance logo, Georgia Farm Bureau logo or Farm Bureau Bank logo for all co-op advertising. 
  • County logos cannot be used for insurance advertising. 
  • Note: Any phrases used must be secondary to whatever GFB logo is selected.  

GFB logo guidelines are defined by the GFB Branding Guidelines administered by Federation Public Relations/Marketing. We recommend sharing the style guide with vendors.

 

Billing

  • Invoices cannot be accepted directly from the vendors. Agency Managers must pay the invoice and request reimbursement.
  • Requests for coop reimbursement payment must be submitted within 3 months of the transaction/invoice date.
  • Any reimbursements turned in after December 31 will be deducted from the following year’s budget. 

 

Co-Branding (putting another logo on your ad)

At this time there is no approved “co-branding” agreement with our Brokerage carriers or Farm Bureau Alliance. Agents are not allowed by the Sales Department or Georgia Farm Bureau Insurance Company to use brokerage logos (such as Foremost® or Progressive® logos) on any GFB specific materials. However, the carriers can provide the county with small signage and brochures to be presented in the agency office.  

Counties may co-brand with local organizations, such as a local high school, IF both logos are used. Promotional items and ads must be approved by Info/PR.

Georgia Farm Bureau has a special relationship with the University of Georgia that allows for co-branding, but UGA requires that any item MUST have prior approval from their marketing team before production. Contact Info/PR for more information.

 

Georgia Law

All advertising must conform to the rules and regulations of Chapters 120-2-11 and 120-2-12 of the Georgia Code (Insurance Regulations) dealing with advertising. Insurance advertising in Georgia is regulated by the state Insurance Commissioner.

 

Farm Bureau Bank (FBB)

The co-op program, will also co-op your bank ads at 50%. However, since the bank is regulated by FDIC and has different rules than insurance GFB agents must always use approved advertising provided by the Farm Bureau Bank or GFB Member Services when advertising Bank products.  The pre-approved ads can be found on the FBB referral portal.

  • FB Insurance and FB Bank product advertising can NEVER be mixed in the field. Only pre-approved joint product advertising from FBB or GFB Member Services can be used.
  • GFBMIC and Advertising /Public Relations in Macon cannot approve any ad that mentions insurance with advertisements or promotions for Bank products.
  • Please note: use of the generic term “Bank” when used (for example) in “Auto, Home, Life, Bank” does not require prior approval. You could also say “we offer Financial Services”, and it would not require submission to FBB.
  • FB Bank’s marketing rules are: “To meet all bank regulatory requirements, all advertising, newspaper articles or announcements not originating with the Farm Bureau Bank must be submitted to the Bank for approval. The entire process is set to take no longer than 5 business days, as your material must be sent to Farm Bureau Bank Marketing compliance, which examines it for accuracy in bank branding, content and compliancy.”

Contact Michael Fulwood in the Member Services Dept. at ext. 3347 or at mwfulwood@gfb.org if you wish to run any “Other” or signage ad that mentions FB Bank in any way.

 

Definitions of Co-Op Categories

The Agency Manager will need to denote what type of advertising was used on the reimbursement form and will need to submit the appropriate supporting documents. Please review each category to see what is required for that type of submission.

Print/Digital Advertising

Print advertising includes designed ads for newspapers, magazines, programs and other publications. Digital advertising includes digital graphics on digital media (including billboards). To be approved for coop reimbursement, all print and digital advertising must be designed by Info/PR (or approved in advance).  Visit the Ad Catalog to browse ideas and templates. 

Signage  - Logo Only

Logos in on banners, yard signs, and other displays must be correct to qualify for co-op reimbursement. Find Information for submitting a reimbursement request for signage here. Contact Info/PR if you have questions about the correct logo.

Radio & TV/Video

Browse the Ad Catalog for pre-approved radio scripts, produced radio spots and a variety of customizable video. Contact Info/PR for assistance with a radio or video ad. Information for submitting a reimbursement request for Radio/TV advertising can be found here.

Promotional Items

The Promotional Items category covers branded promotional giveaways items such as pens, t-shirts, and cups. Promotional Items MUST be pre-approved prior to ordering, unless purchased through one of GFBMIC's designated Preferred Vendors. Preferred Vendors work closely with Home Office to ensure all items are consistent with the Branding Guidelines. 

  • Promotional Items may not be approved if the items are not in accord with required compliance, copyrights, logos and Branding Guidelines.
  • Promotional items purchased with the incorrect logo or outside of the Branding Guidelines will not be reimbursed.
  • It is the Agency Managers & agent's responsibility to ensure they are using the correct logo and have proper approval when necessary.
  • Items purchased to go in giveaway bags/baskets must have the logo to be reimbursed. There is no reimbursement for gift cards. 

Contact Info/PR if you are planning to order Promotional Items from an outside vendor so the logo usage can be approved.

Information for submitting a reimbursement request for promotional items can be found here.

GFBMIC encourages agents to use one of the Preferred Vendors: Strategic Promotions, Magnolia Loom, Apparel Authority, Chameleon Services, National Bank Products, and Prospex Promotions. Strategic Promotions offers an online store for agents. Everything included in the online store is approved for co-op use and can be ordered by the agency without prior submission.

Promotional Items ordered through other vendors MUST be approved by the Info/PR Department prior to purchase.  Items over $200/unit must be approved before purchase by the District Sales Manager.

Items purchased from the GFB Company Store are eligible for co-op. Purchase items through the GFB Company Store here or contact Tammy Rigole to place a large order of promotional items. 

Sponsorships  

Georgia Farm Bureau agents have a proud tradition of investing and supporting their local communities. The Sponsorship category is intended for sponsorships in which the GFB logo will be featured on another organization’s item (i.e. a t-shirt, sign, etc.). This category is not intended for advertising that requires design work (such as ads in High School Athletics Programs), but rather for sponsorships where only the logo is utilized.

  • The logo must be correct and must be in maroon, black or white.
  • You must include an invoice, sponsorship solicitation/flier or some type of communication from the organization you are supporting with information about the sponsorship.
  • Sponsored promotional items (such as t-shirts) are not subject to the GFB Branding Guidelines as far as colors and fonts because it is a sponsorship of another organization’s creative work.
  • Find instructions on submitting Sponsorships here.

 

Questions? Contact Info/PR.

 

How to Submit a Request for Reimbursement

Quick Reference:

  1. Scan in required supporting documents (preferably in one file)
  2. Fill out the Online Reimbursement Form and upload supporting documents

Agency Managers are required to fill out the Online Reimbursement Form. Once the co-op request is approved by Info/PR, it will be sent to Accounting for payment. 

How to Submit Print Ads:

  1. Scan copy of ad used in print publication (newspaper, magazine, school program, yearbook, etc.)
  2. Scan copy of invoice from the media
  3. Scan copy of your canceled check or credit card transaction. If you are limited by size, take a picture using a mobile device.
  4. Fill out the Online Reimbursement Form and upload applicable documents

How to Submit Radio/TV Ads:

  1. Scan the "Affidavit of Performance"
  2. Scan a copy of your canceled check or credit card transaction.
  3. If you used a script other than the approved script provided by GFBMIC, please include a copy of the script
  4. Fill out the Online Reimbursement Form and upload applicable documents

How to Submit Signage and Promotional Items:

  1. Take a photo of the item showing the imprint or embroidery clearly and scan for attachment
  2. Scan copy of invoice
  3. Scan copy of your canceled check or credit card transaction
  4. Fill out the Online Reimbursement Form and upload applicable documents

How to Submit Sponsorships

  1. Scan copy of sponsorship details (i.e. a flyer from the organization or some sort of communication that outlines the details of the sponsorship)
  2. Scan copy of invoice
  3. Scan copy of your canceled check or credit card transaction
  4. Take a photo of the item with the GFB Logo on it (t-shirt, sign, etc).
  5. Fill out the Online Reimbursement Form and upload applicable documents

*The purchase of food cannot be submitted for co-op reimbursement. Any promotional items must have the correct logo on it to be reimbursed.

 

Co-Op Levels and Rates

Agencies may qualify for 50% co-op reimbursement for qualified, approved advertising on any radio station, TV station, cable TV system, newspaper, real estate magazine, “newcomer” print package, TV listing guide, menu ad, map ad or similar type community advertising and on certain approved signs. 

75% LEVEL

Some vendors have been given preferred reimbursement rates due to a partnership with GFBMIC. Certain items with these partners can be reimbursed at the 75% rate.

Radio

Agencies may qualify for 75% co-op for advertising on radio stations broadcasting the required minimum daily number of “Georgia Farm Radio Network” (GFRN) programs. The station must have a signed contract with the Network in order for the agent to qualify at the 75% level. 

  • See a current list of approved radio stations
  • Ads do not have to air within Farm Bureau programs to qualify.
  • Agents are responsible for verifying that the station (or a co-located station of the same ownership in the same market cluster) is airing our GFB radio network programs and indicating on the co-op paperwork that they qualify for 75% reimbursement on submissions. Example: WXYZ-AM runs the GFRN programs, agent can receive 75% co-op for ads placed on co-located WXYZ-FM.
  • To browse pre-recorded radio spots and approved scripts, visit the Branding Database and search for "radio".

Television 

Advertising through television stations that carry the “Farm Monitor” TV show also qualifies for 75%. Click here for a "Farm Monitor" station list.

  • Television ads, digital ads and other multimedia sponsorships offered through through the broadcast station (such as sponsoring a Friday Night football program) are eligible.
  • Ads do not have to air within the Georgia Farm Monitor program to qualify.
  • Agents are responsible for verifying that the station is airing our television program each week and indicating on the co-op paperwork that they qualify for 75% reimbursement on submissions. The INVOICE must be from the Georgia Farm Monitor broadcast TV station to qualify.
  • Billing from a cable company which only carries one of our broadcast stations as part of its service does not qualify.

 

Logos and Files

Click the thumbnail to open the appropriate image file. Then right-click and select SAVE to download the file.  

JPEG - Use these files for print ads

 

 

PNG - Use these files for digital ads

 

 

PDF - Use these files for embroidery