Insurance company Aflac announced that former Coke and Zyman Group exec Jeff Herbert has been named SVP and CMO, a newly created position.

Herbert will be in charge of Aflac's U.S. operations strategy, advertising, product development, sponsorships and consumer research for the company perhaps best known for its quacking-duck ad campaigns, writes AdWeek. Al Johnson, second VP, advertising and branding will retain that role but will now report to Herbert, who reports to Aflac COO Paul Amos II, and will work closely with Ron Kirkland, SVP and director of sales.

Publicis Groupe's The Kaplan Thaler Group, NY has handled Aflac since 1999 and came up with Aflac duck. Aflac spent about $75 million in U.S. media last year and $50 million January through June this year. Fitzgerald + Co., Atlanta handles media buying.