COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nationwide Insurance, the official insurance provider of the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), will host a media availability with celebrity guest Idris Elba during the 66th annual CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament week.
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Who: |
Media availability with celebrity guest Idris Elba (English television, theatre and film actor who has starred in both British and American productions) and Lee Morton, regional vice president, Nationwide Insurance. | |
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When: |
6:30 p.m., Sat., March 5, 2011 |
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Where: |
Time Warner Cable Arena, CIAA Post Game Interview room (Charlotte Bobcats'- MAIN INTERVIEW ROOM), Charlotte, NC | |
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Event Level: Reach the "Event Level" by elevator. The CIAA Post Game Interview room (Charlotte Bobcats'- MAIN INTERVIEW ROOM) is located on the right side of the hallway walking from the loading dock towards the Bobcats' locker room. |
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Why: |
Fans and teams come to the annual CIAA basketball championships for more than just the game, and Nationwide Insurance is proud to be there to enhance their experience. This year, the CIAA recognized Nationwide as 2011 CIAA Corporate Sponsor of the Year. |
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To date, Nationwide Insurance has contributed more than $500,000 to the CIAA scholarship fund that helps students reach their educational goals. In addition, Nationwide provides CIAA students with corporate internship opportunities, on-site job fairs, and sponsors many activities during tournament week, as well as the CIAA Football Championship Game and all 16 CIAA Conference Championships.
The 66th annual CIAA Men's and Women's Basketball Tournament takes place Feb. 28 – March 5, 2011 in Charlotte, N.C. More than 175,000 people are expected to attend the week-long CIAA tournament and associated events.
About Nationwide
Nationwide, based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the U.S. and is rated A+ by A.M. Best. The company provides a full range of personalized insurance and financial services, including auto insurance, motorcycle, boat, homeowners, life insurance, farm, commercial insurance, administrative services, annuities, mortgages, mutual funds, pensions, long-term savings plans and health and productivity services. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com.
Nationwide, the Nationwide Framemark and On Your Side are federally registered service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company.
Idris Elba Bio
British-born actor Idris Elba mesmerized American TV viewers on three seasons of HBO's gold-standard crime drama, "The Wire" (2002-08), playing Stringer Bell. The career-defining role catapult Elba from obscure British actor to international acclaim as one of Hollywood's most wanted men. Also a singer and deejay, releasing records in the former capacity as Driis and working in the latter as Big Driis or DJ Driis, Elba rode his smoldering "Wire" ethos to "It" status in both the hip-hop community and broader popular culture, which included a feature lead opposite Beyoncé Knowles in the thriller "Obsessed" (2009) and a prominent multi-episode guest role on the hit comedy, "The Office." As he continued to showcase his versatility, Elba carved a niche as a go-to actor for characters exuding a quiet strength and deliberative cool.
He was born in London, U.K., on Sept. 6, 1972, the only child of African immigrants. By his early twenties, he was auditioning for TV and stage roles, netting his first credited small screen part in "Absolutely Fabulous.” He followed with a series of guest shots. Eventually, Elba moved to New York seeking a market where lead roles were open to black actors. He worked constantly to pick up American accents and managed to win the roles of Achilles in a 2001 New York stage production of "Troilus and Cressida;" a small role in the ill-fated "Buffalo Soldiers" (2001); and a guest shot on NBC's "Law & Order;” all before scoring an audition for "The Wire."
Essence magazine would dub him one of the "Ten Hottest Men on the Planet" in 2004 and 2005. He stole the show as a young Southern minister in the drama, "The Gospel" (2005), then earned the lead as a conscientious Rwandan army captain in "Sometimes in April," a made-for-HBO piece. He scored roles in bigger-profile projects, including a major role opposite Hillary Swank in the A-horror flick "The Reaping" (2007); "Prom Night" (2008); and supporting parts in "American Gangster" (2007); the zombie flick "28 Weeks Later" (2007); and as the love interest of Gabriel Union in "Daddy's Little Girls" (2007).
Elba's success allowed him to revive his musical predilections. He issued an EP, Big Man, and his Hollywood networking would see "Driis" land tracks on movie soundtracks such as those of "Prom Night" and Perry's "Madea Goes to Jail" (2009). Elba’s next film was 2010's “Legacy.” Elba then starred in “The Losers.” Elba would next be seen in the 2010 thriller “Takers.” Elba has joined the cast of KennethBranagh's upcoming “Thor” film. Elba will appear in the 2012 sequel “Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance” alongside Nicolas Cage as an alcoholic warrior monk tasked with finding Ghost Rider.