Special Olympics Names Y&R as First Agency of Record

The Special Olympics, the largest sports organization for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, has announced Y&R as the first-ever global Agency of Record for Special Olympics’ marketing efforts.

The account will be led out of Y&R’s New York office, working with the agency’s global network in markets where Special Olympics operates. A new global, integrated campaign, scheduled to launch early next year, will include TV, print, digital, social media, youth activation and leadership, fundraising efforts and large global events.

The non-profit movement has evolved and grown at a rapid pace, especially over the past 13 years. During this period, Special Olympics quadrupled the number of participating athletes to over 4.2 million representing 170 countries. In addition, Special Olympics has have added health, education and community building programming. One major pillar of this effort is a social inclusion program called Special Olympics Unified Sports, which unites people with and without intellectual disabilities on the same playing field as teammates.

Tim Shriver, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Special Olympics said: “Y&R has already brought us an incredible idea big enough to work across all of our programs. It is a concept that is relevant to and will resonate in virtually all the 170 countries in which we operate. It is a galvanizing idea that we believe will accelerate and intensify the progress and impact of Special Olympics and create positive momentum that will continue well beyond our upcoming 2015 World Games. We are privileged to have Y&R help us take Special Olympics into a new era of making communities and societies everywhere more accepting and tolerant for all by focusing on people with intellectual disabilities.”

“Special Olympics brings out the best in everyone, and our team — all our employees, all around the world — feel the importance and the excitement of their mission. Their tremendous growth around the world reflects not only their passion and commitment to a better world, but their ability to change hearts, minds and behavior. We look forward to helping them achieve their objectives well into the future,” said David Sable, Global Chief Executive Officer of Y&R.