January 22, 2007 — The National Restaurant Association today urged Nationwide Mutual Insurance to reconsider airing a commercial that is said to negatively portray the restaurant industry.

"We hope that Nationwide would not air an ad that would imply that working in a restaurant is demeaning and unpleasant," National Restaurant Association President and CEO Steven C. Anderson said. "Such an ad would insult the 12.8 million Americans who work in the restaurant industry."

Columbus, Ohio-based Nationwide last week announced that rap musician Kevin Federline would appear in an ad set to air Feb. 4 during the Super Bowl. The spot is part of Nationwide’s "Life Comes at You Fast" campaign to promote financial planning.

Since the announcement, newspapers, magazines and Web sites have reported that Federline will portray a worker in a "down and out fast food restaurant" who dreams of a rap career.

"A business shouldn’t denigrate another industry when developing creative concepts for a marketing strategy," Anderson stated. "We will make sure our members know that Nationwide isn’t on their side if it runs an ad during the Super Bowl that disparages the restaurant industry."

Read Anderson's letter here .

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