American Express, Blue Rubicon win 2014 Global Supplier Awards from Unum

American Express is the first recipient of Unum’s Supplier Breakthrough Award in recognition of the vital role they play in the company’s successful operations.

Unum (NYSE: UNM) is a leading provider of financial protection benefits through the workplace in the U.S. and the U.K. Unum’s benefits help protect millions of working people and their families in the event of an illness, injury or loss of life.

The company works with a wide range of suppliers who assist Unum’s everyday operations to ensure continued supply of goods and services which deliver a sustainable competitive advantage consistent with the overall needs of the business.

“Through collaborative relationships, Unum is working toward improving business agility while continuing to maximize value with our suppliers and providing an exceptional experience for Unum customers,” said William Bagley, chief supply officer for Unum and sponsor of the program. “This program serves as a catalyst to recognize the contributions and key roles our suppliers have played in ensuring our continuous success.”

A new addition to the Global Supplier Awards program, the Supplier Breakthrough Award recognizes a supplier that has made the most noteworthy contribution to Unum’s success over the last year. American Express uses an online payment platform that allows Unum to target and increase days payable outstanding while paying suppliers on time. In 2014, American Express successfully launched a payment program at Unum which helped reduce paper invoices from suppliers, supported accelerated payment terms to suppliers and added significant value to the working capital objectives of Unum.

The Supplier of the Year Award went to Blue Rubicon, a public relations consulting group with offices in London, Doha, Dubai and Singapore. Blue Rubicon provides strategic direction for communications, advising business leaders and coaching their teams. They consulted with Unum UK’s executive team in 2014 to successfully manage the marketing strategy, leading to digital market success and high engagement with media partners.

In 2013, Unum launched its Global Supplier Awards to recognize the achievement of suppliers that excel in the areas of quality, cost performance, customer service, technical performance, management and sustainability.

Blue Rubicon and American Express will receive their awards at recognition dinners in the U.K. and Chattanooga, Tenn., on July 29. Unum executives will be present to recognize the valued contributions of these suppliers.

Unum will open nominations for its 2015 awards later this year. Contact supplierawards@unum.com for more information about the program.

ABOUT UNUM

Unum Group (www.unum.com) is a leading provider of financial protection benefits in the United States and the United Kingdom. Its primary businesses are Unum US, Colonial Life and Unum UK. Unum’s portfolio includes disability, life, accident and critical illness coverage, which help protect millions of working people and their families in the event of an illness or injury. The company reported revenues of $10.5 billion in 2014, and provided $6.7 billion in benefits last year.

For more information visit us at www.unum.com or connect with us at www.facebook.com/unumbenefits, twitter.com/unumnews and www.linkedin.com/company/unum

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