“Real Stories” Showcase How Specialists Empower Clients’ Financial Lives

Key Points

• A year after the beginning of its consumer awareness campaign, The College is launching its latest leg featuring “Real Stories” of clients impacted by advice of specialized financial professionals
• The campaign has raised awareness of College designees, designations, and the importance of specialized financial planning knowledge
• As consumers search for financial advisors with deeper knowledge, The College is positioned at the forefront of this movement

King of Prussia, Pa. – October 8, 2026 – The American College of Financial Services (“The College”) today announced the continuation of its “Specialists Need Specialists, Too” consumer awareness campaign with a series of “Real Stories” focused on how clients view the power of working with a College designee.

A Year of Success

The “Real Stories” series builds on the public awareness and engagement campaign launched one year ago. “Specialists Need Specialists, Too” originated with two commercials created in partnership with Big Com, a full-service marketing and advertising agency, as well as an in-person launch across New York City’s financial district and a digital billboard at Nasdaq. The first video focused on a fictional sourdough baker who worked with a retirement income specialist; the second featured a fictional beekeeper who retained a tax planning specialist.

This campaign has raised awareness of College designees, their deep expertise, and the specialist credentials they hold. The videos direct consumers to visit YourAdvisorGuide.com, where they can find a professional who specializes in the services they need or verify a professional’s designations.  

Since October 2025, the “Specialists Need Specialists, Too” commercials have been viewed to completion more than 37 million times, and the campaign has won a 2026 WealthManagement.com Industry Award in the Industry Association category. It is also a finalist at the upcoming ThinkAdvisor Luminaries Awards 2026.  

“The one-year anniversary of our campaign is a milestone that only strengthens our commitment to amplifying our designees and the value of lifelong learning,” said George Nichols III, CAP®, president and CEO of The College. “While we are grateful for the engagement and the industry accolades, our goal for this initiative has always been to help consumers by promoting our alumni who possess the specialized expertise they need. This is not our campaign – it belongs to our alumni, the hardworking professionals who help their clients and communities.”  

Amplifying the Value of Specialization

The first “Real Stories” video includes a retired association executive who has successfully transitioned from a career in the nonprofit sector to follow her passion as a glassmaker– thanks in large part to guidance from a financial advisor who specializes in retirement income planning and holds The College’s Retirement Income Certified Professional® (RICP®) designation.  

“The campaign’s results highlight a need to support consumers in their search for competent, educated financial advisors,” said Jared Trexler, executive vice president and chief growth officer of The College. “We are excited about this next phase of our campaign, where we have the opportunity to share the stories of real clients who know firsthand the impact of working with a dedicated financial specialist.”

Additional “Real Stories” videos will spotlight other individuals who share their experiences working with specialized financial professionals.  

For more information, and to view the “Real Stories” videos, please visit https://www.theamericancollege.edu/stand-out-as-a-specialist.  

For more information, contact:

Jared Trexler
610-526-1268
jared.trexler@theamericancollege.edu

Sarah Tremallo
908-967-0381
americancollege@jconnelly.com

About The American College of Financial Services

The American College of Financial Services is the nation’s largest nonprofit and accredited educational institution devoted to financial services professionals. Nearly one in five advisors or agents is an alum of The College. The College offers a learning platform that includes professional designation, certification, and degree programs and encompasses early-career foundational knowledge as well as deep, specialized education in tax, retirement income, philanthropy, risk management, and more with the highest-quality combination of rigor and relevance. The College’s faculty represents the foremost thought leaders in the financial services industry. Its educational programs, research, and events offer professionals the opportunity to expand earnings, deepen relationships, and deliver improved client outcomes.

Visit The College’s website at TheAmericanCollege.edu to discover all the ways to gain expertise for every stage.