Nationwide Insurance^® retains UM as media agency-of-record

Following review, incumbent to continue handling media buying duties

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 14, 2009

Contact:
Mike Switzer (614) 249-4092
switzem1@nationwide.com

Columbus, Ohio — Nationwide announced today that UM will continue as the company’s media agency-of-record following a review of the business. UM, who has worked with Nationwide since 2001, will continue to purchase media for Nationwide.

In addition to UM’s previous media buying duties, which included national and spot TV and radio, UM will now also handle print and out-of-home media for Nationwide.McKinney, Nationwide’s creative agency-of-record will continue to handle creative development and media planning.

“Periodically we review the work of all of our agencies to ensure that we are being as efficient and effective as possible in optimizing our strategic resources,” said Jennifer Hanley, senior vice president of marketing services for Nationwide. “In this process, UM confirmed that they continue to be the right fit for Nationwide’s media buying needs. We look forward to building on the good work UM has done in the past to help us reach consumers with messages about the personalized On Your Side service Nationwide offers customers.”

ABA Consulting, based in Dallas, facilitated the review process for Nationwide.

“We are thrilled that Nationwide has chosen to continue our partnership and has in fact, increased our responsibilities”, said Jacki Kelley, UM NA President. “We look forward to continuing our long-term relationship and working with McKinney to provide Nationwide with more than they expected, delivering surprising results,”

About UM

UM is a global media communications agency that represents the world’s leading marketers and strategic thinkers including Coca-Cola, ExxonMobil, Johnson & Johnson, MasterCard, Microsoft, Sony, Bacardi, L’Oreal, Dyson and BMW. Part of the Interpublic Group of Companies (IPG), UM has roughly 169 offices in 130 countries and more than 3,600 employees with headquarters in New York. UM provides a full spectrum of media services including media and communications planning, digital strategy consultation, analytics and economic modeling and research and consumer insight. The company’s mission is to deliver Curious Minds for Surprising Results.

About Nationwide                                                                                     

Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.

^{Nationwide, Nationwide Insurance, the Nationwide Framemark, Life Comes at You Fast, On Your Side, of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.}