Today's News by Jack Nerad for Driving Today

Nationwide Nabs Reclusive Mouthpiece

Friday, February 26, 2010

No, he’s not the “most interesting man in the world,” the super-cool Dos Equis beer spokesman, but the “world’s greatest spokesperson in the world” is a legend in his own right (and own mind).

Now, Nationwide Insurance will use him to push its agenda on the unsuspecting public.

“As we thought about our new campaign, we knew we needed someone special, an advocate for our customers,” said Steven Schreibman, vice president of advertising and brand management for Nationwide. “When the world’s greatest spokesperson in the world heard what we wanted to do, he agreed to end his years in seclusion to help us listen to our customers to understand how we can better meet their needs.”

The insurance company was able to track down the “world’s greatest spokesperson in the world” on a snowy mountaintop that had been his home since he gave up the spokesperson business because he “cared too much.” In fact, he’s been gone so long, you might not even remember him. The first ad marking his triumphant comeback, which debuted during the Olympics and Daytona 500, depicted his dramatic decision to return to the work for which he had become known as the best in the business.

Previously, the world’s greatest spokesperson in the world had won a semblance of fame for some of his other work, like a PSA titled “Bears Are Dangerous,” and one about the danger of germs. Fans of the world’s greatest spokesperson in the world, should there be any, can follow him on Twitter and Facebook. Videos will include clips from his starring role in the hit movie Talk Back 2 and an online ad that chronicles his transition from mountain hermit to nationwide spokesperson.

“The world’s greatest spokesperson in the world will be an advocate for consumers, listening to the things about insurance that frustrate them, and then challenging Nationwide to address these concerns,” said Schreibman.

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