Nationwide

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“COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company CEO Steve Rasmussen today announced new assignments for several executive leaders across the company. Rasmussen was appointed CEO in February. The intent of the announcement is to spread business expertise across the company as Nationwide strengthens its market position by providing superior customer service. ‘Nationwide is blessed with great leaders. Simply put, the company will be even stronger as we share expertise, resources and leadership across our many business lines,’ Rasmussen said. ‘These new assignments will bring fresh perspective and ideas to our entire organization and will help us develop new opportunities to collaborate, innovate, and provide the best customer service in the industry. Combined with our financial strength and strong go-to-market strategy, these changes will optimize our ability to attract and retain customers in both the insurance and financial services categories.’ Among the new assignments announced today: Mark Thresher, current president of Nationwide Financial, will assume the role of Chief Financial Officer for Nationwide. He’ll also oversee Investments and Nationwide Realty Investors. Kirt Walker, current president of Nationwide Insurance, will assume the role of president of Nationwide Financial. Mark Pizzi, current president of Customer Choice Distribution, will assume the role of president of Nationwide Insurance. Larry Hilsheimer, current Chief Financial Officer, will assume the role of president of Nationwide Direct & Customer Solutions (formerly Customer Choice Distribution), which includes Nationwide’s call-center based sales units. He will also oversee Nationwide Bank, Nationwide Better Health, and Customer Service. Kim Austen, president of Allied Insurance, will have his role expanded to include oversight of Scottsdale Insurance. Austen will also oversee Titan Insurance and Nationwide Agribusiness. The new assignments have been approved by Nationwide’s board of directors and take effect immediately.”

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“COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nationwide Insurance today released the results of its new On Your Side^® survey, which found that 8 in 10 Americans surveyed this month say they would support legislation restricting cell phone use while driving. The survey, conducted Aug. 5-9, 2009, by Harris Interactive, reports that 80 percent of Americans favor a ban on texting while driving, while two thirds favor a ban on cell phone calls, and more than half say they would support a ban on cell phone use altogether. Earlier this summer, Nationwide announced its support of the concept of a national ban on texting while driving to help curb crashes and reduce auto insurance claims. The survey results are being announced as hundreds of highway traffic safety advocates and officials are convening at the Governors Highway Safety Association’s annual conference in Savannah, Ga., to discuss driving while distracted (DWD) and other highway safety issues. This meeting is taking place in advance of a presidential summit on DWD that is scheduled for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1 in Washington, DC.”