(March 13 – 09:30 ET) – Manulife Financial and the Reader’s Digest Association Canada Ltd. have teamed up to allow Manulife to offer an exclusive life and health insurance program to Reader’s Digest customers.

Beginning this year, life and health insurance products and services will be offered to Reader’s Digest Canada customers through direct mail, call centres and other distribution channels. “We are very excited about this opportunity,” said Brent Dennis, vice president, affinity markets for Manulife Financial. “Reader’s Digest Canada is a trusted corporation that has built a powerful brand through quality products and maintains a privileged relationship with its millions of customers across the country. We look forward to offering those customers unique protection products and services to fit their individual needs.”

“Our objective is to present our customers with the opportunity for a wide range of exclusive financial services,” said Pierre Dion., president and CEO of Reader’s Digest Canada.

Manulife is the second major Canadian insurance company to strike a deal with Reader’s Digest.

“We will soon be offering them protection through Manulife Financial for life and health insurance and through ING/Bélairdirect for property and casualty insurance.” Dion added.