Business

Aflac’s $13B mascot gets its quack back

Aflac’s $13 billion duck has a golden new voice.

The insurance giant yesterday unveiled a new voiceover man for its hapless duck mascot whose well-known quack helps bring in more than $13 billion a year in premiums.

The duck’s squawky voice for the past 11 years belonged to comedian Gilbert Gottfried, who was fired for making tasteless comments on the micro-blogging service Twitter about the devastating tsunami in Japan, where Aflac collects two-thirds of its premiums.

After being off the air for a month, the Aflac duck made a comeback last night in a new TV ad on NBC’s talent show, “The Voice,” with his raspy screeches now provided by a 37-year-old radio ad salesman.

Daniel McKeague beat out 12,500 others in a national search to help the duck get his voice back.

Investors applauded his casting, sending Aflac shares up 1.3 percent, snapping a lengthy slump and adding $324 million in shareholder value in just hours.

McKeague said he perfected his style by entertaining his three young kids with silly voices for years. He gets a $100,000 upfront check and more than $100,000 a year in royalties.

For now, he intends to keep selling ads at KQRS and Love 105 in Minneapolis. He also helps run a local charity that provides safe havens for kids from broken homes.

“I have long admired people who can act and make the most of their voice,” McKeague said. “I understand what’s at stake. It is not just getting behind a microphone and screaming ‘Aflac.’ If you’re a spokesperson, you have responsibilities.”

The duck’s 52 TV ads and numerous radio spots have helped Aflac win an impressive brand recognition of 93 percent among consumers, according to the company. tharp@nypost.com