1. RiverSource Funds are managed by RiverSource Investments, LLC and distributed by Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member NASD. Both companies are part of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Leslie Walstrom December 14, 2006 Should RiverSource Investments try Podcasting?

2. Who is RiverSource Investments? A 60 year old, mid-size mutual fund company based in Minneapolis New name and brand in October 2005 Mutual funds sold through financial advisors

3. The challenge In a commoditized industry, RiverSource Investments has an opportunity to differentiate by providing high-quality, innovative marketing support to financial advisors.

4. What do financial advisors want? 1.Mutual funds that perform as expected 2.Tools and support for clients 3.Access information about the markets, economy and mutual funds from expert investment professionals

5. What’s the best way to deliver information to advisors? Case Study: Market Commentary Frequency desired: Weekly or more often in volatile markets Preferred methods of delivery: 1.In person visits from market strategist 2.Cassette tapes or audio CDs 3.Conference calls 4.In writing

6. How can we use technology to meet advisor needs? Podcasting. Term emerged in 2004. Combination of “broadcasting” and “iPod”. Podcasts are audio files posted on a website or music service that can be downloaded and listened to on an MP3 player or iPod.

7. Research question Are financial advisors willing to use podcasts as a way to access investment information?

8. How we answered the question Telephone survey with 375 financial advisors Survey questions designed to explore whether the advisors 1.Are comfortable with technology 2.Have the proper equipment to access podcasts 3.Know what podcasting is 4.Have ever downloaded a podcast 5.Would download a podcast from RiverSource Investments

9. Are advisors comfortable using technology?

10. Do advisors have the equipment they need to access podcasts? 93% of advisors have broadband internet access 23% of all advisors own MP3 players/iPods, 22% plan to purchase within 6 months

11. Are advisors familiar with podcasts? 40% of advisors are familiar with the term podcast.

12. Have advisors downloaded podcasts? Of advisors who are familiar with podcasts, the majority have not actually downloaded one.

13. Are advisors interested in podcasts from RiverSource Investments? Advisor interest in podcasts increases if iPods or MP3 players are subsidized by RiverSource Investments.

14. Answering the research question Question: Are financial advisors willing to use podcasts as a way to access investment information? Answer: Some are, some aren’t. This sentiment mirrors attitudes of the general population.

15. Podcast research findings Pew Internet and American Life Project – 2005 22% of the population has an MP3 player/iPod 29% have downloaded podcasts Forrester Podcasting Study – 2006 22% of the population has an MP3 player/iPod Only 1% download podcasts regularly, only 2% have tried podcasting

16. Recommendations Pursue podcasting as an additional marketing support strategy, not a replacement for current methods of delivering information. To speed advisor adoption, RiverSource may want to subsidize costs for advisor MP3 players/iPods. Continue to monitor advisor interest in podcast content.

17. RiverSource Funds are managed by RiverSource Investments, LLC and distributed by Ameriprise Financial Services, Inc., Member NASD. Both companies are part of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. Leslie Walstrom December 14, 2006 Question and Answer Session