USCCB - (Office of Media Relations) - Top Ad Firm Producing Catholic Church Public Service Campaign

Top Ad Firm Producing Catholic Church Public Service Campaign

WASHINGTON (March 10, 1998) -- World-renown ad firm Saatchi & Saatchi is developing pro bono a public service ad campaign for the U.S. Bishops' Catholic Communication Campaign (CCC).

The campaign stresses the power of people to forgive one another and is part of Catholic Church efforts to prepare for the Millennium and Jubilee Year 2000.

The campaign will include print, TV and radio spots and is slated to debut in June. It is designed to convince people of the need for forgiveness in personal relationships and stresses mending the breaks which may separate children from parents and siblings from one another.

"We welcome the efforts of Saatchi & Saatchi in proclaiming the message of reconciliation," said Bishop Robert N. Lynch, Chairman of the U.S. Bishops' Communications Committee, which oversees the CCC. "Pope John Paul II has stressed the need for persons, groups and nations to heal the wounds that keep them from unity as we enter the Third Millennium. We feel confident that with its top-flight talent, Saatchi & Saatchi can communicate this time-honored message with new vigor."

Msgr. Francis J. Maniscalco, Director of Communications for the U.S. Catholic Conference, voiced gratitude for the contributions of Saatchi & Saatchi, a company, he noted, that has "depth of resources and is famous for its imaginative ideas."

"I have been enthused by the energy the creative team has bought to this project and their commitment to it," he added.

Jennifer Laing, Chairman and CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi in North America, noted the company's commitment to the project.

"Saatchi & Saatchi has a history of providing public service and developing world-changing ideas," Ms. Laing said. "We are committed to assisting the Catholic Church in its efforts to encourage all people to build better personal relationships and so contribute to a more peaceful, understanding society. What better message to send as we approach the new Millennium."

The CCC produces and distributes a variety of media projects including TV documentaries that examine spiritual themes, Christmas and Easter specials, and public service campaigns on issues of national importance.

Saatchi & Saatchi is one of the world's leading global agency networks, with 161 offices in 91 countries and worldwide billings of $7.1 billion. Its list of blue-chip multinational clients includes Delta Air Lines, DuPont, Eastman Kodak, General Mills, Hewlett-Packard, Johnson & Johnson, Proctor & Gamble and Toyota.