Hub International Limited Utilizes First Research Industry Intelligence to Build Lasting Client Relationships

Powerful Sales Readiness Tool Helps Insurance Brokerage Meet Mandate for Sustainable and Organic Growth

RALEIGH, NC – August 23, 2006 – First Research Inc., the leading Industry Intelligence company, today announced that Hub International Limited, one of the largest insurance brokerages in North America, has selected First Research Industry Intelligence to help producers and account managers position themselves as trusted advisors to its client base.

With easy access to First Research Industry Profiles through the company’s intranet or sales home page, Hub advisors are able to understand the unique challenges and issues impacting customers in more than 200 industries. Updated every 90 days, First Research Industry Profiles do the “heavy lifting” for insurance professionals, helping them shorten research time, articulate the issues their clients are most concerned about and differentiate themselves from the competition by positioning Hub services to meet a client’s specific needs.

“Hub International is always looking to maximize our sales performance. Understanding our customers’ business is paramount to being their broker of choice,” explained Julie Zimmer, vice president of sales. “We are committed to providing the tools needed to promote sales efficiency and better manage the entire sales process. This allows us to build lasting relationships with new and existing clients. First Research is a powerful sales tool that can help us achieve those goals.”

Hub users also gain access to First Research’s full suite of innovative and cost effective critical-knowledge sales tools including Call Prep Sheets, Email Alerts and State Profiles. Call Prep Sheets consist of a one-page industry overview, intelligent questions and the latest industry trends producers and account managers can use to tailor sales calls, streamline conversations and quickly establish credibility by communicating a clear understanding of a client’s key business issues. Quarterly Email Alerts deliver at-a-glance summaries to each user’s inbox, helping them stay apprised of and react to issues affecting clients. Quarterly State Profiles provide a concise summary of shifting economic and business issues affecting clients in any state.

“In the insurance industry, clients look for more than an inexpensive premium. They look to brokers to have a firm grasp on their changing industry dynamics and offer customized insurance solutions that meet their specific needs,” said Bobby Martin, First Research president and co-founder. “First Research Industry Intelligence Tools give companies like Hub the deep industry insight they need to serve as trusted financial advisors to their clients.”

About Hub International Limited
Headquartered in Chicago, IL, Hub International Limited is a leading North American insurance brokerage that provides a broad array of property and casualty, reinsurance, life and health, employee benefits, investment and risk management products and services through offices located in the United States and Canada.

About First Research
First Research is the leading provider of Industry Intelligence Tools that help sales and marketing teams perform faster and smarter, open doors and close more deals. First Research performs the “heavy lifting” by analyzing hundreds of sources to create insightful and easy to digest Industry Intelligence that can be consumed very quickly to better understand a prospect’s or client’s business issues. Customers include leading companies in banking, accounting, technology, telecommunications, business process outsourcing and professional services such as Bank of America and Merrill Lynch. Used by more than 50,000 sales professionals, First Research can benefit any organization which has prospects in multiple industries. First Research is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. For more information, visit www.firstresearch.com.

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Media Contacts:
Shawn Ramsey
Crossroads Public Relations (on behalf of First Research)
(919) 782-3262 (office)
(919) 621-0737 (mobile)
sramsey@crossroadspr.com

Kristin W. Bear
Crossroads Public Relations (on behalf of First Research)
(919) 784-0445 (office)
(919) 349-1856 (mobile)
kbear@crossroadspr.com