World's Largest Companies Rely on California State Parks to Promote Products

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Many of the world's largest companies rely on California's iconic state parks as commercial production locations to help promote their products. California's 278 state parks and beaches provide the business community with an abundance of beautiful backdrops, including majestic redwoods, beautiful beaches, deserts and rustic historic buildings, which are conveniently located throughout the state and available at very low cost. Unfortunately, due to decades of chronic underfunding and budget cuts, state parks have been closed part-time and are seriously deteriorating, becoming less available for commercial use. Prop. 21 will ensure state parks have the funding needed to remain accessible and well maintained for both public and commercial use.

"With some of the most beautiful and breathtaking settings, it's no wonder that some of the world's largest companies turn to California's state parks and beaches to serve as backdrops to promote their products," said Elizabeth Goldstein, president of the California State Parks Foundation. "California's state parks grace the pages of many magazine ads and some very popular television commercials. Without Proposition 21, the business community may not have access to these beautiful locations for their advertising campaigns."

According to data from the California Film Commission, California's state parks account for 62 percent of all film production permits issued by the commission in 2009, including feature films, television shows, television commercials, and print advertisements. During 2008 and 2009, California state parks hosted more than 400 television commercial and print advertisement shoots. Major corporations using state parks in their advertising campaigns include:

Old Spice’s viral sensation, “The Man Your Man Could Smell Like” ad, was filmed at Leo Carrillo State Beach.

In the past decade, California lost more than 36,000 jobs and $2.4 billion in wages because of production leaving California to film out-of-state. California's 278 state parks rank as the state's most popular state-owned location for filming, offering low-cost and diverse locations to help keep film and commercial production and jobs in the state.

Unfortunately, due to three decades of underfunding, state parks are slowly starving. Chronic underfunding has forced state parks to accumulate a backlog of more than $1.3 billion in needed maintenance and repairs – making these valuable and very popular filming locations less available and in decay.

Under Prop. 21, California vehicles will receive free, year-round day-use access to state parks and beaches, in exchange for a new $18 annual surcharge. This new surcharge will be assessed as part of California's annual vehicle registration. All California vehicles will be subject to the surcharge, except larger commercial vehicles, mobile homes and permanent trailers. Funds from the surcharge will be placed in a trust fund dedicated specifically to state parks and wildlife conservation, which cannot legally be used for other purposes.

"Proposition 21 is the only credible and viable solution to the state parks funding crisis," added Goldstein. "We look forward to working with business and entertainment interests in the next few weeks to ensure passage of this important initiative – a measure that will directly benefit their industries."

Prop. 21 has received support from more than 450 diverse organizations, including many from the business and entertainment community – Location Managers Guild of America, San Diego Film Commission, California Travel Industry Association, Sacramento Film Commission, Contra Costa Council, Santa Barbara Film Commission, Valley Industry and Commerce Association, Monterey County Film Commission, Santa Cruz County Film Commission, North Sacramento Chamber of Commerce, Cupertino Chamber of Commerce, Newport Beach Visitors and Convention Bureau, Mendocino County Film Office, Sierra Business Council, Placer-Lake Tahoe Film Office, California Lodging Industry Association, Topanga Chamber of Commerce and the Humboldt Film Commission. Click here for a complete list of supporters.

For more information on Prop. 21, please visit www.YesForStateParks.com or www.facebook.com/YesForStateParks.

SOURCE Yes on 21; Californians for State Parks and Wildlife Conservation