The Campaign

The "Life Comes at You Fast" spill.

The "Life Comes at You Fast" spill. Nationwide Insurance had terrific product awareness, but the company was struggling to boost awareness of its financial-planning products. Marketing agency TM Advertising decided to blended blunt truth with subtle humor. The landmark advertisement for the campaign was installed in Nationwide's hometown of Columbus, Ohio, where a banner depicted a spilled paint bucket with paint dripping down the side of the building into the parking lot below. The eye-catching outdoor promotion not only had a tendency to stop traffic, but also garnered awards. Since the campaign, Nationwide's company profits have grown from $100 to more than $2 billion in 2006.