BOSTON, Dec. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- John Hancock Retirement Plan Services (JHRPS) was recognized for communications excellence by the League of American Communications Professionals (LACP) winning three platinum, five gold, four silver and one bronze award. Only JHRPS garnered nine "Top 100" commendations. The next strongest showing by a financial services company showed four "Top 100" honors.

Multi media, print and web communications were all honored. The communications focused on a wide range of audiences including 401(k) participants, plan sponsors, financial representatives, third party administrators and internal audiences. Commented one LACP judge, "I like the consistent look and feel throughout John Hancock's portfolio of publications. It really helps to strengthen the brand image ... . Great job."

"Our marketing team consistently creates innovative and excellent marketing materials that impact our business in a direct and positive way," says Katherine MacMillan, President of JHRPS. "Having their excellence recognized by LACP validates what we see every day in practice."

"To have all 13 of our submissions recognized -- and nine of them singled out as Top 100 Communications Materials of 2007 -- is great recognition of the talented team here," said Andrew Ross, Senior Vice President, Marketing.

The JHSignature(TM) campaign was the most recognized promotion with four separate awards for its mailer, website, play book and launch. JHSignature(TM), JHRPS' new multi-class structure, was introduced in the first quarter of 2007.

League of American Communications Professionals:

The League of American Communications Professionals LLC (LACP) was established in 2001 in order to create a forum within the public relations industry that facilitates discussion of best-in-class practices within the profession while also recognizing those who demonstrate exemplary communications capabilities. For further information please go to http://www.lacp.com.

About John Hancock Retirement Plan Services

Amongst mutual fund, life insurance companies and banks, JHRPS is ranked as the largest provider to 401(k)s based on number of 401(k) plans managed, according CFO Magazine. (CFO Magazine 401(k) Buyers Guide Study, published May 2007.)

About John Hancock and Manulife Financial

John Hancock is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation (the Company), a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$399.0 billion (US$400.5 billion) as at September 30, 2007.

Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '0945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at http://www.manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including whole life, term life, variable life, and universal life insurance, as well as college savings products, fixed and variable annuities, long-term care insurance, mutual funds and various forms of business insurance.

Group annuity contracts are issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.) (John Hancock USA). John Hancock Investment Management Services, LLC, a registered investment adviser, provides investment information relating to the contract.

JHSignature(TM) is a trademark for the Defined Contribution service package for the Accumulated Retirement Account Group Annuity Contract issued by John Hancock Life Insurance Company (U.S.A.).

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Source: John Hancock Retirement Plan Services

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