The San Francisco Film Society Selects Y&R Advertising, San Francisco, as Its Advertising Agency of Record

Y&R Advertising, San Francisco, announced today that the company has been selected as the agency of record by the San Francisco Film Society, the presenter of the world-renowned San Francisco International Film Festival.

The San Francisco Film Society is a nonprofit arts and educational organization dedicated to fostering an appreciation for film, video and other moving-image media, emphasizing both aesthetic expression as well as film’s ability to promote cultural understanding. SFFS serves a multinational and multicultural community of artists and audiences through year-round educational programs, exhibitions and celebrations. One of the Society’s most visible and significant annual events, the San Francisco International Film Festival, is a two-week celebration of emerging new cinema and the masters who have shaped the genre. The Festival is dedicated to highlighting current trends in international film and video production and encouraging the growth of filmmakers and new technologies.

Y&RSF will provide strategic direction, creative development and media support for the spring 2004 SFIFF, in addition to setting brand positioning and strategy for the Festival’s upcoming 50th anniversary.

“As we move towards our 50th anniversary, which will be a significant milestone for us, we were looking for a partner that could really understand our challenges and opportunities. Y&RSF not only demonstrated its creative strength, it was very clear that its strategic planning process would help us pinpoint a focused communications strategy that will deliver our promise and create a foundation for our success moving forward,” said Roxanne Messina Captor, Film Society executive director. “We look forward to working with Y&RSF in developing the full spectrum of our advertising and marketing programs.”

“It is our goal to make the SFFS a destination festival that achieves even greater worldwide prominence and attendance. We’re excited about working on this prestigious brand and becoming partners with the many talented and dedicated folks who are passionate about the Festival’s success,” said Penny Baldwin, president and CEO of Y&R SF. “With Roxanne Messina Captor at the helm, we are confident that we’ll accomplish great things and perhaps even enjoy a film or two in the process.”

About the San Francisco Film Society
The San Francisco Film Society is a nonprofit organization whose goal is to lead in expanding the knowledge and appreciation of international film art and its artists by showcasing the most compelling, thought-provoking international films, special tributes, major restorations, and today’s brightest stars. Through the San Francisco International Film Festival, the Film Society has introduced new films and filmmakers to Bay Area audiences for almost 50 years and is supported by an advisory board of film luminaries including Clint Eastwood, Kevin Spacey, Danny Glover and Robert Altman.

About Y&RSF
Y&R Advertising, San Francisco, builds short and long-term business success for clients by creating, managing and protecting brand assets and provides branding, advertising, design and interactive services to clients, such as ChevronTexaco, Havoline, NCAA, Sunmaid Raisins, Jacuzzi, City of Oakland, Hitachi Data Systems and Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. Young & Rubicam Advertising is a member of the Y&R Group of Companies, a division of WPP.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Sally Kennedy
Young & Rubicam San Francisco
sally_kennedy@sfo.yr.com
415-882-0632

Hilary Hart
San Francisco Film Society
publicity@sffs.org
415-561- 5022