Fashion Cares, the premier benefit for HIV/AIDS in support of the AIDS Committee of Toronto (ACT), officially announces today that GCI Group is their public relations agency of record for the 2007 fundraising event.

GCI Group will provide media relations and communications expertise and ongoing event support for the gala, which is heading into its 21st year with a new venue, date, and executive producer. Fashion Cares will take place on Saturday, May 12, 2007 at Toronto’s Distillery Historic District under the creative direction of Chip Quigley, who has co-produced events for the American Foundation for AIDS Research (AMFAR), The City of Hope benefit, and The Elton John AIDS Foundation official Fashion Rocks pre-party.

“In this exciting year of evolution for Fashion Cares, GCI Group was a natural choice to lead our public relations activity. We were impressed with the agency’s professionalism, strategic thinking, creativity, client service and overwhelming passion for the cause,” said Rose Mastnak, Chair for Fashion Cares 2007.

Highlights of the Fashion Cares public relations platform include the “Why ACT Now?” YouTube contest, launched on World AIDS Day, Friday December 1, 2006. The contest invites Canadians to share their points of view and provocative statements on HIV/AIDS. The contest will run from December 1, 2006 until February 15, 2007, and the winner will receive two gala tickets to Fashion Cares and a makeover on the day of the event. Interested participants can enter by visiting the Fashion Cares Web site at www.fashioncares.com.

Additional Fashion Cares public relations activities will be rolled out continuously leading up to the event.

“Our partnership with Fashion Cares is a reflection of the values fostered at GCI and our commitment to community social responsibility. GCI is delighted to support this worthy cause,” said Marion MacKenzie, President of GCI Group Canada.

GCI Group has a strong commitment to the fight against HIV/AIDS. Earlier this year, GCI provided media relations and event management support for The Grandmothers Gathering, a Stephen Lewis Foundation initiative leading up to the XVI International AIDS Conference in Toronto. The three-day event was held in support of African grandmothers and their orphaned grandchildren made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS.