Tavis Smiley and Nationwide Insurance make stop in Dallas to help consumers control their financial future
On Your Side® Tour offers dialogue on economic empowerment in
challenging economic times
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 8, 2008
Contacts:
Nationwide
Bob Cunningham (614) 249-3091
cunninb1@nationwide.com
The Smiley Group, Inc.
Vanesse J. Lloyd-Sgambati (215) 877-2012
vlloydsgam@aol.com
Dallas, Texas—The 2008 Nationwide On Your Side® Tour with Tavis
Smiley will make its final stop in Dallas, Texas, on November 8 at the
Sheraton Dallas Hotel, 400 N. Olive Street. In the wake of some of the
more difficult economic times facing consumers everywhere, the tour helps
people learn about ways to empower themselves and enhance their financial
future. The event is part of an exclusive partnership between The Smiley
Group and Nationwide.
“Now more than ever, it is vitally important for consumers to focus on
taking the steps to plan for their financial future,” said James Lyski,
chief marketing officer for Nationwide. “By partnering with Tavis Smiley,
we’re engaging the community in very important dialogue regarding
financial planning and financial responsibility.”
“These events are a unique way that Nationwide and I can engage
consumers, while helping them clearly see their role in the journey
toward economic empowerment and financial freedom,” said Smiley.
“Economically speaking, times are getting tougher. Everyone needs to
explore the resources and options to navigate through the challenges and
this event is a perfect opportunity to begin that process,” Smiley
says.
The tour, which has been held in Columbus, OH; Raleigh, NC; Richmond,
VA; and Atlanta, GA, brings community partners together to discuss the
need for greater financial literacy and the empowerment that comes with
it. The tour also includes workshops designed to help individuals better
understand the role of insurance, the need for strong financial planning,
and recruitment.
"These tours have been a series of successful launches with Nationwide
and their interest in our continuous efforts, derived from The Covenant,
with financial literacy, wealth development and economic empowerment made
sense for us to collaborate,” says Smiley.
Nationwide and Tavis Smiley in Dallas—2 Investments Retirement Insurance
nationwide.com One Nationwide Plaza Columbus, OH 43215-2220
Consumers interested in connecting with a strong economic message can
visit http://www.pbs.org/kcet/tavissmiley/special/roadtowealth/ and click
on the link road to wealth.
The partnership between Nationwide and TSG bridges two groups together
with a commitment to help consumers protect their investment and prepare
for the future by offering a broad range of insurance and financial
service products and solutions.
“Knowledge is power and can provide families and individuals of all
social and economic backgrounds the keys to a brighter future,” says John
Raybuck, regional vice president for Nationwide’s Texas operation. “This
partnership provides the community access to tools and resources that
will help them take control of their financial future. That is the first
step to economic empowerment,” Raybuck said.
The partnership between Nationwide and TSG also includes sponsorship of
Smiley’s PBS television program as a provider of property & casualty
insurance products and national sponsorship of the 2009 State of the
Black Union event to be held next February in Los Angeles.
About Tavis Smiley and the Tavis Smiley Group
Smiley, who started his career as an aide to the late Los Angeles mayor
Tom Bradley, also offers political commentary twice weekly on the
nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show. In addition, he has
authored eleven books. Smiley made publishing history when the book he
edited, the Covenant with Black America reached #1 on the New York Times
bestseller list. His latest is What I Know For Sure: My Story of Growing
up in America (Doubleday). The Smiley Group, Inc. is a communications
corporation established in support of human rights and related
empowerment issues. TSG serves as the holding company for various
enterprises encompassing broadcast and print media, lectures, symposiums
and the Internet. For more information, visit www.tavistalks.com.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest diversified
insurance and financial services organizations in the world, with more
than $161 billion in assets. Nationwide ranks #108 on the Fortune 500
list. The company provides a full range of insurance and financial
services, including auto, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life, 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, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally
registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
Investments Retirement Insurance nationwide.com One Nationwide Plaza
Columbus, OH 43215-2220
