NU Online News Service, March 19, 12:00 p.m. EDT

Want to meet Flo?

Progressive has launched a contest for agents similar to one it launched earlier this year for consumers, to give them the opportunity to meet the perky little woman with the bright smile and retro haircut, appearing in the company's television advertisements of late.

On March 9, the Mayfield Village, Ohio-based auto insurer rolled out a Help Flo contest for agents at www.AgentHelpFlo.com.

Similar to its consumer contest begun in January, agents will be required to submit a video talking about the company. The winner gets an all-expense-paid trip to Los Angeles and the opportunity to meet Flo behind the scenes of the production of a national advertisement.

Progressive said she will even record a customized audio message for the agency's answering machine or radio ad tag.

To enter the contest, agents with Progressive must enter a video on the company's Web site that can be no longer than 50 seconds. Agents have to tell about "what's Progressive" about their agency and end the video with the line "Now that's Progressive."

There is to be no music in the video; only the agent can appear; no logos may appear other than Progressive and the agency's; no personal identification, and no mention or reference to any competitors. Entries can be in English or Spanish.

A complete list of the rules can be found at the Web site. The contest ends April 2.