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02 April 2004

PRESS RELEASE

Healthy Pets 'Barks Back' at Lloyds TSB Marketing Ethics

Healthy Pets Insurance is in communication with Lloyds TSB pointing out the company's unethical on-line marketing tactics. Activities used to market Lloyds TSB pet insurance is leading to confusion amongst pet owners searching the web for the key words 'Healthy Pets Insurance'. With insurance now being sourced confidently on-line (including the growingly competitive pet sector), the scramble for search engine listings appears to be getting a little cutthroat!

Lloyds TSB has used the well-established Healthy Pets Insurance company name to support its pet insurance brand on the Internet. This is a way of helping Lloyds TSB to appear high in many search engine listings (under the key words Healthy Pets Insurance). The advertising link Lloyds TSB use in these searches shows as 'Lloyds TSB Healthy Pet Insurance'. Consumers looking for Healthy Pets Insurance are understandably confused thinking that maybe Lloyds TSB own Healthy Pets and not knowing which link to use for the genuine Healthy Pets Insurance.

Although Lloyds TSB activities are not illegal, it is interesting to see one of the major banks riding on the back of a much smaller (in comparison), but well established,

specialist pet insurer. Mark Effenberg, CEO Healthy Pets Insurance said, "Healthy Pets is of course flattered that its success in the pet insurance field is noted by the likes of Lloyds TSB and that the company feel the need to use Healthy Pets name to support the marketing of its brand". He adds, "There is no trade mark infringement. This type of sharp practice marketing is confusing the consumer. I am surprised it is happening".

Healthy Pets Insurance was established in 1996 with a strong and growing on-line presence at www.healthy-pets.co.uk. Pet owners can log on to the Healthy Pets Internet site for on-line quotations, to request written quotations and brochures, for payments, to request claims forms and much more. An interactive website frees up time for Healthy Pets to process claims quickly, sometimes dispatching cheques the very same day! The company remains independent and specialist choosing to trade on the trust of its policyholders to gain one of the highest renewal rates in the industry.

Healthy Pets and Mark Effenberg can be contacted via sales@healthy-pets.co.uk or on 0870 011 6564 www.healthy-pets.co.uk for pet insurance information.
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