John Hancock Funds Wins Two Top Overall Communications STAR Awards from Mutual Fund Education Alliance

John Hancock Funds Wins Two Top Overall Communications STAR Awards from Mutual
                           Fund Education Alliance

Also garners six additional awards in individual categories

PR Newswire

BOSTON, Nov. 13, 2012

BOSTON, Nov. 13, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- John Hancock Funds took home a total of
eight awards, including two of the top awards for Overall Communications, at
the recent STAR Awards event presented by the Mutual Fund Education Alliance
(MFEA) in Chicago.  Now in its 16th year, MFEA's STAR awards are presented
annually in recognition of mutual fund companies that excel in education,
marketing, and communications for shareholders, advisors, plan participants,
and the investing public.

"We're proud to be so honored by our peers who comprise the judges' panel at
MFEA, especially for our achievements in communications," said Andrew G.
Arnott, President & CEO, John Hancock Funds. "At John Hancock, we are
committed to continue expanding our suite of best in class materials, website
and tools to help financial advisors communicate more effectively with their
clients, and to help those clients develop a deeper grasp of investing and
product choices available to them."  He added:  "Congratulations to the entire
Marketing team as well as the Sales, Compliance, Product and IT contributors
who all had a hand in developing our award-winning content."

John Hancock Funds won in the top categories of Overall Communications
(Retail) and Overall Communications (Advisor), in both cases recognizing the
fund firm with the best overall communications effort across all mediums.
 Regarding the Retail Communications Award, the Judges comments included: 
"All of Hancock's entries provide a consistent brand through an effective
design and effective communication style.  A very nice overall communications
brand with proven success."  Commenting on the Advisor Communications Award,
Judges said: "John Hancock presentation and design is straight forward,
delivering a consistent tone and branding approach. They continually achieve
their marketing goals and provide appropriate tools for the Advisor.
Outstanding job."

John Hancock also won six awards in individual categories. They are:

  o Annual Report, awarded for the John Hancock Disciplined Value Mid Cap Fund
    (JVMAX).  Judges comments:  "Great job. Hancock made an SEC document look
    customized for the end investor. Definitely shareholder friendly."
  o Shareholder Magazine Communication, awarded for "Admission" Magazine,
    which supports John Hancock's 529 College Savings business. Judges
    comments:  "Educational and informative executed in a very engaging
    manner. Very well thought out. Excellent."
  o Retail Website, awarded to www.jhfunds.com.  Judges comments:   "This site
    has a very impressive Asset Allocation module and interactive charts. It
    also offers current market indices. And  everything looks great and is
    easy to navigate. A very nice website."
  o Advisor Communication Campaign, awarded to the Alternative Investments
    Campaign.  Judges comments:  "From the white paper to the presentation to
    the webpage and on-line ads, this was a great campaign."
  o Advisor Electronic Newsletter, awarded for "IO Connect."  Judges
    comments:  "This not only included excellent information/education but
    actionable advice. And it looks good, too. Very nice."
  o Advisor Website, awarded for https://adviser.jhfunds.com.  Judges
    comments:  "A very impressive website.  All the tools an adviser could
    need are effectively laid out in a very user friendly setting and elegant
    design. A fantastic resource."

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 division of Manulife Financial, 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 Financial celebrates
its 125^th anniversary. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia,
and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, the Company 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

Website: http://www.johnhancock.com
Contact: Beth McGoldrick, +1-617-663-4751, bmcgoldrick@jhancock.com