BOSTON, Nov. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Funds took home the highest honor for its Financial Professional website, adviser.jhfunds.com, at the recently announced Interactive Media Awards™ (IMA). The "Best in Class" Award in the Financial Services category reflects the top scores John Hancock Funds achieved in each of five judging criteria:  Design, Content, Feature Functionality, Usability, and Standards Compliance & Cross-Browser Compatibility.

Eric Lachance, Head of e-Commerce, said:  "We are very pleased to be recognized for our efforts to create a website for financial advisers that combines a depth of information and features with a high level of functionality and ease of use. This award is a significant honor for our Marketing, e-Commerce and IT Web teams because the IMA competition goes beyond the financial services industry. It represents excellence in web design across a wide range of categories including Arts and Culture, Travel, Manufacturing, Consumer Goods, and more."  

About the Interactive Media Awards™

The Interactive Media Awards™ recognize the highest standards of excellence in website design and development and honor individuals and organizations for their outstanding achievement.  Created by the Interactive Media Council, Inc. (IMC), a nonprofit organization of leading web designers, developers, programmers, advertisers and other web-related professionals, the competition is designed to elevate the standards of excellence on the Internet and offer winners a boost in marketing and exposure. IMC serves as the primary sponsor and governing body of the Interactive Media Awards™, establishes the judging system and provides the judges for the competition.

About John Hancock Funds

The Boston-based mutual fund business unit of John Hancock Financial, John Hancock Funds manages more than $77.8 billion in open-end funds, closed-end funds, private accounts, college savings and retirement plans, and related party assets for individual and institutional investors as at September 30, 2012.  

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial Corporation

John Hancock Financial is a unit of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading Canada-based financial services group with principal operations in Asia, Canada and the United States. In 2012, John Hancock celebrates 150 years of serving clients across the United States, while Manulife celebrates its 125^th anniversary. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and in most of Asia, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, Manulife Financial Corporation offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were C$515 billion (US$523 billion) as at September 30, 2012.  Manulife Financial Corporation trades as 'MFC' on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under '945' on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at manulife.com.  The John Hancock unit, through its insurance companies, comprises one of the largest life insurers in the United States. John Hancock offers a broad range of financial products and services, including life insurance, annuities, fixed products, mutual funds, 401(k) plans, long-term care insurance, college savings, and other forms of business insurance. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Funds