NEW YORK, Aug. 20, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Horizon Next , one of the industry’s most data-driven performance marketing organizations, announced today that it has been named Media Agency of Record (AOR) by Northwestern Mutual , a leading financial company that provides financial security to 4.5 million people across life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, brokerage and advisory services, trust services, and discretionary portfolio management solutions.

Following a formal search process, Horizon Next has been awarded responsibilities for strategic communications planning, media activation and advanced analytics across all media channels, effective immediately.

“As we continue to evolve our brand and marketing strategy to create greater relevance with our current customers and reach new audiences, we are thrilled to partner with Horizon Next as our media AOR,” said Lee Hurley, VP of marketing at Northwestern Mutual. “The agency’s holistic, creative, analytical and innovative approach to media will help us create more meaningful connections with our target audiences while empowering them to make the most of life every single day.”

“Northwestern Mutual has an exceptionally strong reputation, quality products and services, unsurpassed financial strength and a culture that is deeply dedicated to helping people achieve financial security,” said Gene Turner, EVP, Chief of Horizon Next. “The company already has an impressively robust and personalized digital experience for its clients. We see an incredible opportunity to leverage its data in new ways to increase customer acquisition and client engagement.”

About Horizon Next Horizon Next is one of the industry’s most data-driven performance marketing organizations. The company was founded in 2017 by Horizon Media, is headquartered in New York and has an office in Los Angeles. Horizon Next provides over 50 brands with brand strategy, consumer and channel insights, strategic planning and buying across data strategy and a full suite of analytics solutions across all traditional and digital channels to improve business outcomes and ROI. The 200-person agency with combined billings of $1.5B in Media investments is led by Gene Turner, EVP, Chief of Horizon Next. His proven track record of developing solutions that build brands while driving exceptional business growth has been recognized across the country, as Gene was named to Broadcasting & Cable’s Top Strategists & Planners list in 2018, and honored on DM News’ Forty under 40 list in 2013. With $8.5B in overall marketing insight, Horizon Next has significant media buying leverage. The constantly evolving business sits at the intersection of three changing landscapes: people, data, and media. Horizon Next combines human insights with data for a holistic view of targets, brands and businesses, with its robust capabilities and integration across every facet of the business.  

About Northwestern Mutual Northwestern Mutual  has been helping families and businesses achieve financial security for more than 160 years. Through a distinctive, whole-picture planning approach, we empower our clients to make the most of every single day and plan for important moments in their future. We combine the expertise of our financial professionals with a personalized digital experience to help our clients navigate their financial lives every day. With $265.0 billion in assets, $28.1 billion in revenues, and $1.8 trillion worth of life insurance protection in force, Northwestern Mutual delivers financial security to 4.5 million people who rely on us for life, disability income and long-term care insurance, annuities, brokerage and advisory services, trust services, and discretionary portfolio management solutions. The company manages more than $125 billion of client assets through its wealth management and investment services. Northwestern Mutual ranks 104 on the 2018 FORTUNE 500 and is recognized by FORTUNE® as one of the "World's Most Admired" life insurance companies in 2018.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM), Milwaukee, WI (life and disability insurance, annuities, and life insurance with long-term care benefits) and its subsidiaries. Northwestern Mutual and its subsidiaries offer a comprehensive approach to financial security solutions including: life insurance, long-term care insurance, disability income insurance, annuities, life insurance with long-term care benefits, investment products, and advisory products and services. Subsidiaries include Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (securities), broker-dealer, registered investment adviser, member FINRA and SIPC; the Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (fiduciary and fee-based financial planning services), federal savings bank; and Northwestern Long Term Care Insurance Company (NLTC) (long-term care insurance).

For further information please contact Horizon Media Kaya Lobaczewski klobaczewski@horizonmedia.com 212 220 2102