BOSTON, Nov. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/-- John Hancock Investments received five STAR awards from the Mutual Fund Education Alliance (MFEA), including the prestigious Overall Advisor Communications award in the Large Plus company category (more than $100 billion in assets), at a recent awards ceremony in Chicago.

Below is a recap of the other award categories in which John Hancock Investments also won, at the Large Asset level:


    --  Electronic Newsletter, for "Advisor Connect," a monthly email to
        advisors which includes informative content regarding new investment
        strategies, portfolio manager videos, Fed policy, and more.
    --  Communications Campaign, for "Communicating Your Value," which provides
        actionable ideas to advisors on how to articulate their expertise to
        investors and how marketing their personal brand can attract new
        business.
    --  Retirement Award for Digital Communications, for "IO Connect," a monthly
        email for retirement advisors which includes content regarding new
        investment strategies, pending legislation, thought leadership, and
        more.
    --  Special Communications, for the firm's rebrand to John Hancock
        Investments from John Hancock Funds.

"We are pleased to accept these awards as recognition of our commitment to providing tools and education that are both engaging and helpful for advisors and investors," said Karen A. McCafferty, head of marketing for John Hancock Investments.

The national STAR Awards competition recognizes excellence in marketing, communications and digital efforts in the fund industry. Winners are selected from among hundreds of entries judged by an industry panel of mutual fund marketing and communications executives.

About John Hancock Investments
 John Hancock has helped individuals and institutions build and protect wealth since 1862. Today, we are one of America's strongest and most-recognized brands. As a manager of managers, John Hancock Investments searches the world to find proven portfolio teams with specialized expertise for every fund we offer, then to apply vigorous investment oversight to ensure they continue to meet our uncompromising standards. Our unique approach to asset management has led to a diverse set of investments deeply rooted in investor needs, along with strong risk-adjusted returns across asset classes. John Hancock Investments managed more than $123 billion in assets as of June 30, 2014.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife
 John Hancock Financial is a division of Manulife, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. Operating as Manulife in Canada and Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, our group of companies 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 and its subsidiaries were C$637 billion (US$597 billion) as at June 30 2014. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers and administers a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Investments