By Katie Logisz
February 6, 2006

Linda Barber, Vice President for Strategic Relationships with Conference of Mayors Platinum Member Nationwide Retirement Solutions spoke at the annual Arts Luncheon during the Conference of Mayors Winter Meeting. Barber noted, “Art has a way of speaking to us – everything from a crayon drawing to a beautifully designed building. Art can stretch our imagination, evoke emotion, or tell a story.”

Barber told a story of a recent visit to Washington, (DC) with her father, a veteran of the Korean War. The two visited various museums and memorials around the nation’s capital, but Barber recalled being particularly struck when they reached the Korean War Memorial on the National Mall. At this memorial, Barber stayed back and watched her father walk ahead, seemingly joining the ranks of the statues in the memorial. When he reached the long granite wall etched with the faces of soldiers, sailors, and pilots, his own reflection shone on the wall. Barber told the audience that in that moment, she saw her father as a 21-year-old pilot. Both she and her father were lost in the emotional moment evoked by the artwork before them. The artist who designed his memorial was able to tell a story that crossed generational lines.

Barber continued that NRS “in a similar way also must constantly look for creative ways to tell our story of why it is so important to plan for the future.” NRS’s story must also reach across generations. NRS has partnered with the Conference of Mayors for over 26 years, helping city employees save for the future and for their retirements. Over 338,000 employees currently participate in the program, and they have put away over $5 billion for their retirements. To reach the masses, NRS must find ways to tell their story. Nationwide, too, understands the impact that art has on the public, and utilized the talent and creativity of artists in conveying an important message. “They don’t create sculptures in bronze or carve into granite walls. They use another medium – video and perhaps they add a little bit of humor to tell a story about why it is important for all of us to plan for the future – to plan for the unexpected.” Barber then shared with the audience a commercial from Nationwide’s “Life Comes at You Fast” ad campaign. The author would like to note that according to inside information, the Super Bowl will also feature some particularly amusing commercial art from Nationwide.

For more information about how your city employees can benefit from the USCM/NRS Deferred Compensation program, contact Katie Logisz with the Conference at 202-841-0775 or send email to klogisz@usmayors.org. You can also contact Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland with the Conference at 301-460-5251 or send email to kweyland@usmayors.org.