IBAO bars affinity members from using BIP logo

The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) will be prohibiting its non-voting affinity members from using the Broker Identity Program (BIP) logo in any manner whatsoever, starting Apr. 1, 2008.
The brokers association passed this bylaw during its annual general meeting at the Royal York Hotel in Toronto on Oct. 19.
The Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC), of which the IBAO is a member association, launched the BIP in 1989.
IBACs branding campaign for more than 30,000 insurance brokers across the country was supported by 20 leading insurance companies in 2006.
The centerpiece of the BIP is the BIPPER symbol, which, in the words of IBAC, captures the value that insurance brokers bring their clients coverage and security.
According to Article 8(d) of the IBAOs bylaws, a brokerage that falls under the IBAOs affinity membership category will not be able to use the BIP symbol. The IBAO in 2006 created a non-voting, affinity membership category for brokerages that have more than 50% of their voting shares controlled by insurance companies, chartered banks, trust and loan companies, co-operative credit associations or caisse populaires.
Affinity members are now specifically prohibited from using the BIP logo in any manner whatsoever.
Last year, the IBAO said a total of 12 brokerages would fall under its affinity membership category, although not all of the 12 brokerages were in fact members of the IBAO.