Boston - John Hancock Financial's Twitter site @jhboston26 will continue to provide tweets about the 2012 Boston Marathon and related activities to followers and marathon enthusiasts, supporting the company's 27th year as the principal sponsor of the race.

After launching two years ago the site has proven highly successful, gaining followers that include Olympians, elite marathoners, coaches, and fans of the sport. Content will continue to include tweets on John Hancock's partnership with the Boston Athletic Association, the John Hancock Elite Athlete Program, Non-Profit and Employee Running and Fundraising Programs, and Marathon community initiatives.

"As we approach the 116th running of the Boston Marathon, John Hancock's Twitter feed will provide followers useful, enlightening and entertaining information about the race and the events surrounding it," said Rob Friedman, head of Sports and Event Marketing at John Hancock. "From sharing news about how the fastest marathon runners in the world are preparing for the Boston Marathon to letting followers know what makes this event so special to non-profit community runners, we hope our feed adds to the unique appeal of the world's preeminent and oldest marathon."

John Hancock began its landmark sponsorship in 1986 and over the past 27 years has provided substantial financial support to ensure the ongoing success of the race. Each year, John Hancock recruits and sponsors a world-class, elite athlete field for the race and has provided nearly $14 million in prize and bonus awards.

John Hancock employees volunteer to help with marathon-related tasks and also participate in the race to raise money for local charities. In 2011, more than a thousand John Hancock sponsored non-profit runners, including 100 John Hancock and Manulife employees, raised $5.3 million for 90 local charities and Habitat for Humanity-Canada. Over the past 26 years the official BAA and John Hancock Non-Profit Programs have raised more than $150 million dollars.

Additionally, during race week John Hancock provides resources for local school initiatives and provides a wide range of financial support and services to the towns and cities along the Marathon route. The Company also sponsors the John Hancock Sports & Fitness Expo that draws 200 exhibitors and 80,000 visitors.

The direct and indirect economic value to the community of the Boston Marathon weekend in 2011 was calculated at $132.2 million, according to Greater Boston Convention & Visitor Bureau.

The 2012 Boston Marathon marks the 27th year of John Hancock's landmark sponsorship of the legendary race and also the 150th anniversary of the founding of the Company.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation
John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canada-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 21 countries and territories worldwide. In 2012, John Hancock celebrates 150 years of serving clients across the United States, while Manulife celebrates its 125th anniversary. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, Manulife Financial Corporation 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 Financial and its subsidiaries were C$492 billion (US$473 billion) as at September 30, 2011. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at .

The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including , , , , , , , and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at .

Contact:
Brian Carmichael
Phone: 617-663-4748
E-mail: bcarmichael@jhancock.com

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