As we quickly pivot into 2026, AIP Marketing Alliance wants to wish independent wholesalers, agencies, and agents a very successful new year as we all look to position our valued clients and prospects for the good days ahead.

For some consumers, the new year brings new resolutions and goals, which can focus on better time management, losing weight, or reviewing their retirement planning strategy. That’s where most of us come into the picture as licensed insurance agents, financial advisors, and other financial professionals have become very vital toward achieving their goals.

The competition for business can become ruthless at times as today’s independent agents are competing against AI-based tools, Google searches, larger captive agencies with more resources, and much more to retain their current book of business as well as reaching new prospects to grow your operations.

That’s why AIP Marketing Alliance, an Integrity Company, would like to have a conversation.

You may notice how AIPMA does not say “schedule an appointment” or “have a Teams meeting” or even a “call us” when we communicate through this blog. For our valued downline independent life insurance and annuity agents, the difference is personal. We believe in aligning our experienced customer service, carrier relationships, access to Integrity resources, and technology with your business goals for 2026 and beyond.

Sometimes, that phone call or Teams meeting isn’t enough. We’re more than just an email away as AIPMA believes in being more than just another line in your email inbox. Our team believes in responding efficiently as we know every minute counts when talking with a client or prospect about retirement planning topics including life insurance, annuities, long-term care insurance, final expense insurance, and even disability insurance.

Let’s circle back to having that conversation as we want you to drive the discussion. What do you think you need to be successful? Carriers? Products? Lead programs? Competitive commission? Quoting tools? Agent website? Online contracting? Training? CRM platform? Carrier incentive programs? Dedicated underwriting team? Term life quote engine?

Well, here’s the people to talk to about the above resources available to you through AIP Marketing Alliance. You also can “meet them” in this video before we get a chance to chat. We can have the conversation how you want it – phone call, texting, email, or online meeting.

• Rick Kisser, President: [email protected] or 248.312.2633 – With more than 30 years of industry experience, Rick has worked with smaller and larger agencies to find “a la carte” programs to fit even the most niche nationwide wholesalers. With his licenses and engineering background, Rick can work with you to fill those gaps and develop programs to benefit your agents.
• Chris Howe, Vice President of Business Development: [email protected] or 248.312.2602 – As the “right hand man” to Rick, Chris provides more than 20 years of experience working with wholesalers, discussing strategy and ideas, and connecting agents with carriers and their resources. He also has become the “go to” person for getting niche cases closed and ramping up AIPMA’s resources (including portals, contracting, and quoting tools) for downline agents. He works closely with our Business Development team to ensure we deliver the quality customer service your agents deserve.
• Alice Spalding, Vice President of New Business and Licensing: [email protected] or 248.312.2611 – With more than 20 years of experience in Case Management, Alice becomes your expert for getting agents contracted, licensed, and trained plus helps new business cases get placed in a timely manner. Her team strives to keep communication flowing on pending deals, necessary training for selling products, and leveraging online contracting to offer more than 70 carrier options for downline agents. Ask her about new business, contracting, and other case management activities.
• Darron Markwood, Vice President of Marketing & Compliance Officer: [email protected] or 248.312.2609 – As a former marketing professional for Bank of America, Darron understands how to help agents improve their online presence and branding through website content and social media platforms. He also creates effective email marketing campaigns and leverages Integrity and carrier-approved materials to keep agents informed, provides ideas for approaching clients/prospects, and generates materials to start those valuable online conversations.

Once you get to know our team above, AIP Marketing Alliance also can share some more employees who deliver results and positively impact you and your agents. We’ll give you a contact sheet with their direct phone numbers and emails as you become more involved with AIPMA.

• Chief Financial Officer Kym Kisser and Data Management Manager Becca Spalding are your direct contacts to ensure commissions are paid “on time” – and they thrive on making sure that happens monthly. You can reach them at [email protected] if you have questions about commissions.
• Our Business Development team has a mix of experienced professionals in Tom Stefanac, Kurt Baumgartner, Emmy Giampa, and Marc Murphy. You’ll get to know them by name very quickly as they provide support for quoting life insurance products, comparing annuity options, and positioning long-term care products. You can reach them at [email protected] for quotes or carrier questions.
• Our Case Management team also supports your agents’ contracting and new business needs. Agents consistently post on social media the appreciation for these ladies. You can reach them directly through [email protected] (for new business) or [email protected] (for licensing and contracting).

If you want to check out AIP Marketing Alliance before that conversation happens, you always can visit our corporate website at aipma.com. You also can see some of our social media efforts on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

The people you see in those photos aren’t AI-generated – they are the real people you will talk to at AIPMA. You also are welcome to call us at (800) 783-5206 – Press 1 for Case Management New Business, Press 2 for Business Development, Press 3 for Case Management Contracting, and Press 4 for marketing and website assistance.

We look forward to having that conversation with you in 2026. Let’s talk about how AIP Marketing Alliance, the Integrity effect, and our team/resources could enhance your business, brand, and agent offerings. That’s #TheRightMIXin26!

We are #TheRightMIXin26 for independent insurance wholesalers and agents. For more than 40 years, AIP Marketing Alliance (AIPMA), an Integrity Company, serves as a premier life insurance and annuity distribution partner to provide full-service support to independent wholesalers, brokerages and agents from our Troy, Michigan office. NOT AFFILIATED WITH OR ENDORSED BY THE GOVERNMENT OR THE MEDICARE PROGRAM.

AIP Marketing Alliance is committed to supporting our independent insurance wholesalers and agents. Visit our blog on aipma.com to stay informed on these upcoming launches and learn why wholesalers nationwide choose AIPMA as their distributor for selling life insurance, annuities, long-term care insurance, final expense, and much more. Ask about lead programs, access to IntegrityCONNECT’s technology, myAIP CRM platform with customizable recruiter portal, and online tools/resources designed to grow your business. The difference is personal.

AIP Marketing Alliance, an Integrity Company, has developed this electronic communication for informational and educational use only. Be advised, AIP Marketing Alliance, Inc., does not provide legal advice, tax advice, or guidance on issues involving securities laws, insurance laws nor securities or insurance regulations. This material should not be relied on as providing any such advice or guidance to either agents or retail consumers. Within this communication, AIPMA shares links for usage as information only. This content should not be interpreted as solicitation to purchase life insurance, annuities, or other products or as advice designed to meet your clients’ specific needs. Content involving fiduciary, tax, or legal advice should be directed to your legal, tax, and financial professionals for specific advice or product recommendations. AIPMA will not accept any legal liability resulting from any use of 3rd party material(s).