FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
March 20, 2023
CONTACT:
Evette Davis (415) 385-4863
Rufus Jeffris (415) 606-2337
Emily Abraham (916) 294-5029
MAKE YOUR FUTURE IN SAN FRANCISCO
COALITION OF BUSINESS GROUPS AND CITY UNVEIL NEW FILM AND WEBSITE
90-Second Film Narrated by Jon Miller Debuts at Future of Cities 3.0
(SAN FRANCISCO) – On Monday, the City of San Francisco, Mayor London Breed, and a coalition of business groups comprised of Advance SF, The Bay Area Council, and the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce, unveiled a new promotional video, website, and logo for business retention and recruitment efforts. The film debuted at the Business Journal’s The Future of Cities 3.0, a virtual forum featuring noted Urbanist Richard Florida. San Francisco was the keynote sponsor of the event, which was broadcast in 40 major US business markets.
“Over the last century, San Francisco has demonstrated time and time again that we’re a city that can remake itself. Our history hasn’t defined us; it has shaped our social and economic fabric, which we are proud of. As we look toward our future, we are excited to be a part of this narrative and to tell our amazing story,” said Kate Sofis, the Executive Director of the Office of Economic and Workforce Development. “We’re home to dreamers, thinkers, builders, creators, inventors, makers, and doers. And we’ll continue to harness our entrepreneurial spirit to build on a future that is welcoming, inclusive, and forward-thinking.”
The 90-second film features iconic images of San Francisco, emphasizing the City as a place where the future is made. San Francisco Giants hall-of-fame baseball announcer Jon Miller generously donated his time to be the voice behind the video. The City of San Francisco was one of the contributors to the sponsorship and the film, along with an extraordinary coalition of businesses and organizations. Other financial support came from Bank of America, First Republic Bank, JPMorgan Chase, Shorenstein Companies, UC San Francisco, and United Airlines.
“We believe San Francisco is ready for the future and the next generation of businesses and innovation that will ultimately change the world,” said Advance SF President Wade Rose.
“This is only possible because of the unprecedented partnership between the public and private sectors to renew our Economic Core. As Richard Florida said during the event, ‘there are people in San Francisco who care deeply about its remaking,’ and reminding us that no matter the hardship, ‘San Francisco has come back thriving every time.’”
“San Francisco is not defined by its challenges; it’s defined by how it rises to its challenges,” added Jim Wunderman, President and CEO of the Bay Area Council. “Over many generations and by leveraging its collective power, ingenuity, and creativity, this great city has reinvented itself repeatedly, each time emerging stronger, better, and more resilient. That’s because we’ve always remained true to the audacious ideal that the future is made in San Francisco.”
Noted branding consultancy DNCO oversaw the creation of the new logo and production of the film, which would not have been possible without the unprecedented collaboration of numerous organizations, City departments, and iconic SF businesses, including Astranis, the California Academy of Sciences, Che Fico Restaurant, Dandelion Chocolate, Film SF, the Gap, Heath Ceramics, MBC BioLabs, Pier 70 / Brookfield Properties, the Presidio Trust, Salesforce, the San Francisco Giants, San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency, San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco Recreation and Parks, San Francisco Travel, Tartine, The Ferry Building / Hudson Pacific Properties, The Port of San Francisco, The San Francisco Police Department, Tishman Speyer, and UC San Francisco.
“San Francisco is a City that never stops innovating and advancing,” said Rodney Fong, President & CEO of the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce. “As we recover from the pandemic and revitalize our City, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine our future. I’m excited to join forces with our partners to showcase San Francisco as a destination that attracts and engages residents, visitors, and workers alike.”
The film, website, and logo are the first phase of a more extended business retention and recruitment program the Office of Economic and Workforce Development will be undertaking in the weeks and months ahead in conjunction with other efforts to revitalize downtown. This initiative builds on Mayor London N. Breed’s Roadmap to Downtown San Francisco’s Future, a comprehensive plan that responds to emerging economic trends and capitalizes on the City’s strengths to keep Downtown vibrant, focusing on key priorities such as offering a clean and safe environment, fostering a resilient workforce, and attracting new industries.
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About the Office of Economic and Workforce Development (OEWD)
The Office of Economic and Workforce Development advances equitable and shared prosperity for San Franciscans by growing sustainable jobs, supporting businesses of all sizes, creating great places to live and work, and helping everyone achieve economic self-sufficiency. For more information, please visit www.oewd.org.
About Advance SF
Advance SF is an organization made up of San Francisco’s leading employers dedicated to supporting an equitable, resilient, and vibrant economy shared by all people working and living in San Francisco. Through education, advocacy, and research, the organization is a meaningful partner in efforts to transform San Francisco into an affordable, thriving city with a good quality of life for all. For more information, visit advancesf.org.
About the Bay Area Council
The Bay Area Council is a business-sponsored, public-policy advocacy organization for the nine-county Bay Area. The Council proactively advocates for a strong economy, a vital business environment, and a better quality of life for everyone who lives here. Founded in 1945, the Bay Area Council is widely respected by elected officials, policymakers, and other civic leaders as the voice of Bay Area business. Today, more than 300 of the largest employers in the region support the Bay Area Council and offer their CEO or top executive as a member. Our members employ more than 4.43 million workers and have revenues of $1.94 trillion worldwide. Learn more at www.bayareacouncil.org.
About the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
The San Francisco Chamber of Commerce represents businesses of every size and industry in San Francisco and across the Bay Area. Acting on our mission to attract, support, and grow business through advocacy, economic development, and business development in San Francisco, the Chamber delivers many programs and events each year and advocates for a prosperous economy and high quality of life for everyone who lives, works, and visits the city. More information about the Chamber is available at SFChamber.com.