Insurance Agents Talk Shop

In the latest episode of Insurance Agents Talk Shop, host Doug Coombs and Cara Nagy Schoettes from Code & Color talk about why a solid online game plan is key today. They touch on must-haves like a good website, being social media savvy, and getting noticed online. Cara gives some tips on tools and platforms and advice for those feeling a bit lost on how to kick things off digitally. A must-listen for independent agents wanting to up their online game.

In this episode of Insurance Agents Talk Shop, host Doug Coombs is joined by Lisa Grover, Vice President of Marketing at SIAA, to discuss the upcoming IA Evolve 2023 conference. IA Evolve is a must-attend event for independent agents interested in innovation in the insurance industry, from tools to best practices and methodologies. Tune in for Lisa's tips on how to make the most out of your IA Evolve experience.

In this episode of Insurance Agents Talk Shop, listeners are taken on a deep dive into the world of insurance aggregators, clusters, and networks. Don't miss this insightful conversation with Jack Calabrese, SIAA’s Senior Vice President of National Recruiting & Sales, as he shares his take on the differences between the three, providing valuable information to agents looking to understand their options.

In this episode, "What's in a Brand? Part 2," we delve into SIAA’s own rebranding journey. Our guest, Matt Masiello, the Chief Executive Officer of SIAA, shares valuable insights on why SIAA decided to embark on this rebranding process and what it means for the Alliance. Join us as we explore how the new brand aligns with SIAA's mission, values, and commitment to evolving the independent agency distribution channel. 

Join host Doug Coombs, Chief Marketing Officer at SIAA, in this episode of Insurance Agents Talk Shop as he and Josh Kelly, Managing Partner and Chief Strategist at FINE, A Brand Agency, discuss branding for independent insurance agencies. Learn about the key elements of a strong brand, gain valuable insights on avoiding common branding mistakes, and hear expert advice on rebranding and reinventing an agency's image. This is a don’t miss episode for businesses looking to enhance their branding. 

SIAA entered into a definitive agreement with private equity firm Odyssey Investment Partners on March 26 for a majority stake in the company. Listen to our internally focused discussion with Matt Masiello, CEO of SIAA, to learn what comes next for the largest independent insurance agency network in the country – including its member agencies.

Applied Systems and EZLynx entered into a definitive agreement on January 14, 2021.  What does this deal mean in the long run? Hear what Taylor Rhodes, CEO of Applied Systems and Nag Rao, Founder and CEO of EZLynx have to say about the merger of these two significant players in the Insurance Rater and Management Systems space. What does it mean to those already using either of these company’s offerings?

Grouping an insurance agency with related lines of business under one roof makes some sense in terms of rounding out relationships. Hear how this approach is working for Performance Group in Pendleton, IN. Agent Sean Kirby also gives us some insights into his own agency podcast – the logistics and benefits.

Some agents shy away from commercial lines for a number of reasons – not John Roark and Michael Sutton of Roark | Sutton in Springfield, MO. These agency owners have succeeded by making commercial lines “what they do”. Their success is something to behold. Please join us and hear about their journey to success.

Gain some insights from Miles Merwin of Greenville, South Carolina - a successful agency owner who started with very little, and built “nothing” into a successful $2MM agency in 8 years. What does it take to make that happen, and how does one sustain it? People and technology are important, but there’s more to it.