Marking Ignite by Igloo’s (“Ignite”) third year since its launch, regional insurtech Igloo has announced Ignite’s launch in the Philippines to help insurance sales intermediaries in the country digitalize and employ effective digital tools to enhance their sales processes, streamline client management, and provide superior customer service.

“We understand that insurance is still very relationship-based in the Philippines and most insurance sales here are being facilitated in person by insurance intermediaries and brokers. The lack of technology integration or a consistent platformized approach has posed multiple challenges – most of the process is being conducted via a single insurance intermediary, single product, single insurer, leading to limited ability to earning more and referring more product,” said Raunak Mehta, Co-Founder and CEO of Igloo. “By launching Ignite in the Philippines, Igloo is on a mission to help boost the efficiency and productivity of nearly 271,000 active life and non-life insurance intermediaries in the country.”

Ignite is a digital platform that helps agents sell easier, faster, and more effectively. The app, launched in Vietnam in 2022 and Indonesia the following year has 42 products across 9 categories including Travel, Pet, and Motor protection plans from leading insurers. Ignite was recently awarded the Mobile App of the Year – Vietnam at the Insurance Asia Awards 2024.

Ignite’s features aim to foster seamless processes in interactions with customers and teams, including a user-centric interface for faster browsing, a fast quote system for quick premium calculations and quote generation, secure payment processing for confident transactions, and team and data management tools to streamline manual reporting and analysis. Additionally, they can track and report referral fees in real time directly to their bank accounts.

Insurance sales intermediaries are burdened with tasks such as filling out applications, issuing policies, processing premium payments, and settling claims, this is why digital tools like Ignite are essential for them to enhance their efficiency and help increase insurance penetration in the Philippines, which remains low at 1.75% despite overall growth in the financial sector.

“Through Ignite, we are addressing these pain points by consolidating product offerings from multiple insurance companies, helping them digitalize their processes, and providing a secure all-in-one platform for all they may need as insurance intermediaries,” Mehta explained.

New Ignite features to aid insurance partners

There is a growing emphasis on value-added services and financial advisory roles beyond selling. As consumers become more informed and discerning, insurance partners are transitioning from mere policy sellers to trusted advisors offering comprehensive financial planning and insurance solutions.

To support this shift, Igloo is introducing a new feature called iLearn, which provides sales agents with access to training content in various formats, including PDFs, infographics, videos, and quizzes. This comprehensive training will enhance their insurance product knowledge, technical skills, sales strategies, and customer handling skills, ensuring their success as trusted advisors.

“We see Ignite as a key product in furthering the region’s insurance penetration,” shared Mehta. “Despite rapid digitization, agents remain crucial in Southeast Asia’s insurance sales. Ignite provides them with the tools and skills they need to succeed. We’re also looking to improve the app with new product offerings and features. We’ve received very positive feedback from insurers across multiple markets, especially about Ignite’s partner onboarding, management, and performance functionality, which benefits both general and life insurance sales.”

Igloo has also launched a new microsite to aid partner recruitment, providing a centralized platform to attract and inform potential partners about the platform and sign up to become full-time and part-time Ignite insurance sales intermediaries.

As Ignite continues to evolve, Igloo continues to explore ways to offer insurers the platform as a tech solution, enabling their agents to digitize operations and enhance sales effectiveness. Through continuous innovation and the integration of new product offerings and features, Igloo aims to bridge the gap between traditional insurance practices and the digital future, ultimately ensuring that more people can benefit from reliable and affordable insurance coverage.

Aice launches new online video series to showcase proudPinoy olympians Yulo, Ando, and Petecio’s stories of resilience

As the Worldwide Olympic Partner and the Official Ice Cream of the Philippine Olympic Team, Aice underscores its commitment to supporting athletes and promoting a ‘healthy and quality’ lifestyle by highlighting the inspiring stories of Filipino olympians Carlos Yulo, Elreen Ando and, Nesthy Petecio. Their stories will be featured in a video series that will be streamed via the official Aice Philippines Facebook page.

Aice firmly believes that the remarkable energy and perseverance of Filipino athletes as shown in the videos will serve as a profound source of inspiration for the youth throughout the country.

In his video, Yulo imparts some encouraging words to aspirants, “Ang maipapayo ko lang sa mga kabataang katulad kong atleta o estudyante, ay maging mas enthusiastic kayo sa mga bagay na gusto ninyong gawin. ‘Wag kayo mawalan ng pag-asa, ituloy ninyo lang kung ano ‘yung ginagawa ninyo at siyempre, ‘wag kalimutang magpasalamat sa itaas at mag-enjoy.”

 [“The only advice I can give for today’s youth, especially athletes and students, is to be more enthusiastic in the things you are passionate about. Don’t give up, just keep going, and don’t forget to thank God and enjoy the journey.”]

Elreen Ando also recounted her humble beginnings, “I started weightlifting at 13 years old. From dating batang walang kinabukasan na na-discover lang ng isang coach na naghahanap ng atleta, after one year, napasok po ako sa national team. Doon na po nag-start ang naging journey ko. Ito na po ako ngayon, isang atleta na nag-qualify sa Paris Olympics.”

[“I started weightlifting at 13 years old. From a kid that didn’t have a future to being discovered by a coach, after a year, I made it to the national team. That is when my journey began. And now, I am an athlete who is qualified to compete at the Paris Olympics.”]

“Pinaka-memorable na journey sa career ko ‘yung first laban ko na lalaki ‘yung kalaban ko ang sa inter-barangay na laro ‘yun. And ito na ako ngayon, maglalaro na sa pangalawa kong Olympics sa Paris,” Nesthy Petecio proudly shares.

[“The most memorable part of my career’s journey was my very first competition, I was up against a man, it was an inter-barangay competition. Now, here I am competing at my second Olympics in Paris.”]

Like these Filipino athletes who work hard in the Olympics, Aice is committed to continually enhancing the quality of their products in pursuit of global success. Its dedication to innovation and excellence embodies the same spirit of perseverance and ambition that drives our athletes forward.

As we celebrate the achievements of these remarkable individuals, Aice is honored to reflect their values in its designation as the Worldwide Olympic Partner and the Official Ice Cream of the Philippine Olympic Team. Upholding its ‘healthy and quality’ philosophy, Aice strives to consistently offer delicious, innovative, and affordable ice cream products that their customers have grown to love. 

The journey of the brand, akin to that of the celebrated athletes, exemplifies the power of determination and the relentless pursuit of dreams. Entering the market was no easy feat with such fierce competition but like many athletes, Aice started from humble beginnings. There were significant challenges to overcome before emerging as a leading brand in Southeast Asia.

In its early years, Aice employees navigated the streets of Southeast Asia with foam boxes filled with ice cream and dry ice, bringing their products directly to the people. Without a factory nor a market, the team repurposed an underground garage into a makeshift office, sleeping on meeting room tables and working from dining tables. Through persistent dedication and hard work, Aice gradually opened markets, eventually reaching extraordinary industry milestones.

To date in the Philippines, Aice has launched over 30 ice cream flavors, including some crowd favorites like Chocolate Crispy, Mochi Ice Cream, Coffee Macchiato, and Sweet Corn. With coverage extending to more than 100,000 sari-sari store outlets nationwide, this remarkable growth is a testament to the impact of unyielding commitment and perseverance.

Aice invites their patrons to watch these inspiring stories to witness the dedication that drives these athletes to the pinnacle of their sport and see how Aice is honored to be a part of their journey. Catch these videos here: https://www.facebook.com/AicePhilippinesOfficial

“By sharing Nesthy, Elreen, and Carlos’ stories, we hope to uplift the next generation of athletes and dreamers. We believe that these videos will not only inspire young Filipinos to pursue their own dreams but also foster a deeper connection between our community and the remarkable individuals who represent us on the global stage. Together, we celebrate the spirit of perseverance and success that defines both our brand and our nation’s athletes,” shared Shereene Yu De Leon, Brand Manager of Aice Philippines.

Watch and support your favorite Pinoy Olympians as they face greatness in the Olympics starting this July 26 with your favorite Aice ice cream products!

Run to Paris, Aice! Cheer for Philippine Olympians! LABAN PILIPINAS!

For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/AicePhilippinesOfficial.