It’s no secret that San Francisco has been receiving bad press lately, from cries of a doom loop to frequent social media comments declaring SF is a failed city. A few prominent business owners have had enough, launching a civic pride campaign to change the current narrative about SF.
The campaign includes a 2-minute video ode to San Francisco, featuring scenic shots of the city and highlighting Levis, an Apple iPhone, and Uber, among other prominent Bay Area businesses. It focuses on innovation in San Francisco, occasionally stretching its reach to include Bay Area accomplishments. You might have noticed stickers popping up in storefronts in the city with the campaign’s logo: “It all starts here SF.” If you want to express what SF means to you, you can write a love letter to SF or request a sign to display.
This isn’t the first time a city has used a similar campaign when times were hard. The now famous “I love NYC” logo was part of a similar marketing effort in the 1970s.
About Advance SF
The campaign was launched by Advance SF, an organization comprised of major SF employers, notably Giants CEO and President Larry Baer and Emeritus CEO Lloyd Dean.
The organization’s mission is to support an “equitable, resilient, and vibrant economy shared by all people working and living in San Francisco,” according to their website. Advance SF is specifically dedicated to helping SF businesses thrive, a fitting cause considering the recent closures in downtown.
Advance SF also conducts research for the business community to reference when making decisions. Recent reports include recommendations on attracting middle-wage jobs to San Francisco.
Another program addressing SF’s economy is Vacant to Vibrant, an activation by the SF New Deal nonprofit that helped small businesses pop-up in formerly empty spaces downtown.