SAINT PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
For Travelers, an umbrella is much more than a practical device to
protect the user from rainy weather. Symbolically, it is an icon of
protection and the dominant image that has represented the company for
more than fifty years. The company today announced its participation
as an exhibitor at the National Trademark Expo, showcasing its iconic
red umbrella as a prime example of the history and evolution of
trademarks. An umbrella is believed to have first appeared in a
Travelers advertisement in 1870, and was formalized as the company's
legal mark in 1959.
"We're proud of our long history with the red umbrella and pleased
to be illustrating its evolution at the expo," says Kate Bolduc,
executive vice president and chief marketing officer at Travelers. "In
an industry devoid of tangible symbols, not only is the umbrella well
recognized, it is unparalleled in being able to convey insurance
protection from the ever-changing risks our customers face."
The Travelers display will provide the history of the company's
relationship with the red umbrella and its evolution over the decades.
A special feature of the booth is an interactive wall employing
state-of-the-art computer software that allows a visual image of a
large red umbrella, composed of many miniature red umbrellas, to
respond to movement as an individual passes by the projected image.
Additionally, the company's newest television commercial featuring a
35-foot representation of the distinctive red umbrella will be shown.
"We're excited to have Travelers as an exhibitor," says Lynne
Beresford, commissioner for trademarks, USPTO. "The red umbrella has
been synonymous with Travelers and with insurance protection and
innovation for decades."
Exhibitors were selected to highlight the many kinds of
trademarks. There will be interactive booths addressing sound,
configuration, color, motion and scent; the history and evolution of
trademarks; and appearances by famous trademarked characters.
Travelers will be exhibiting among such companies as Burberry, NASCAR
and Microsoft. The expo will be held from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on April
10-12 at the USPTO, Madison Building atrium, 600 Dulany Street,
Alexandra, Va. It is free and open to the public. For more
information, visit www.uspto.gov.
About Travelers
Travelers understands that life and business are inherently
dynamic and that the best way to serve agents, brokers and
policyholders is to deliver insurance that evolves to stay in-synch
with life and business as they change. For more information on being
in-synch, visit www.travelers.com.
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE: TRV) is a leading property
casualty insurer selling primarily through independent agents and
brokers. The company's diverse business lines offer its global
customers a wide range of coverage in both the personal and commercial
settings, including automobile, homeowners, construction, small
business, oil and gas, ocean marine, surety and management liability,
global technology and public sector services. Travelers is a Fortune
100 company, with 2007 revenues of $26 billion and total assets of
$115 billion. The company has approximately 33,000 employees.
Source: Travelers
Contact: Travelers
Media Contacts:
Erin Haberman, 860-277-7461
or
Jennifer Wislocki, 860-277-7458