Sofitel Presents Its New Brand Campaign Film “The Encounter”

Dali Benssalah

Gillian Anderson

SOFITEL_THE_ENCOUNTER_VLONGUE

Where free minds meet

Sofitel’s new campaign stars Gillian Anderson (left) and Dali Benssalah (right)

Sunny Mexico City
Two lives
Two free minds
One hotel
One encounter

Somewhere there is a world where destinies collide. A world where one can spread their wings and wander, exactly as one wishes. In April, Sofitel takes us to this very special place with its new campaign starring Gillian Anderson and Dali Benssalah, the brand’s two ambassadors. A short film immortalized in the Sofitel Mexico City Reforma, an iconic hotel that unites past and present at the heart of a city with a rich culture. An ideal location to embody the brand's striking new vision.

Where lives are played out in parallel

Sofitel’s new campaign is captured on film at the iconic Sofitel Mexico City Reforma, one of the brand’s flagship locations. Mexico City. A colorful setting with multiple facets, from historical details to contemporary touches, explored by two new ambassadors.

On one hand, we have the legendary Gillian Anderson, a British-American actress, world-famous for her roles in The X Files, The Fall, The Crown, and Sex Education.

“I have always had a restless spirit and this new campaign by Sofitel embodies exactly that hunger to explore and what better location to celebrate that mindset than the phenomenally stimulating and sensuous Mexico City.” — Gillian Anderson, actress
On the other hand, Dali Benssalah, a French-Algerian actor who achieved international fame with his role in the most recent James Bond movie (No Time to Die, 2021) and his performance in a music video by the group The Blaze.

"The pleasure of getting lost in Mexico City. The joy of meeting up at the Sofitel. Both already look like movie sets. An honor to be a Sofitel ambassador in front of these cameras." — Dali Benssalah, actor

Two celebrities, two free minds, living the Sofitel experience differently, each at their own pace, guided by the same desire for freedom. For one, a film shoot at a colourful outdoor market, an exploration of local traditions and a lively gastronomic experience. For the other, wellness, sport, adventure and laughter with friends.

The result is a two-and-a-half-minute film, titled The Encounter, about the beauty of how two lives, two free minds from different and diverse cultural backgrounds, intersect until they finally meet.

Where Sofitel is transformed

Amongst the newly established Sofitel pillars, we have the Cultural Link. Much more than a logo, these two interlacing geometric curves symbolize the encounter of ideas, people and cultures. This campaign beautifully conveys this concept and the brand’s values. The French zest comes to life with the open mindsets of the two protagonists. The heartfelt service culture is illustrated by the discreet (yet essential) contributions of the Sofitel team members.

“This video symbolizes Sofitel’s new positioning: a desire to create encounters between cultures, people and ideas - the very definition of Sofitel's DNA. An invitation to discover the local culture, to open up to others, and to live the Sofitel experience to the fullest, while remaining true to one’s self at all times.” — Nicolas Gronier, VP Global Marketing Sofitel
Where local cultures are preserved

*Since 2007, Sofitel has been rolling out its ‘Candle Ritual’, inspired by the Paris of the 1860s (when more than 56,000 oil lamps lit up what was later dubbed ‘The city of lights’). A unique ceremony in which the Sofitel teams light candles in the hotels at nightfall.

All year long, Sofitel promotes local cultures and makes them accessible to as many people as possible through partnerships with arts institutions across diverse genres. In this campaign, the brand pays tribute to cinema and Mexican culture, by showcasing Mexico City’s National Museum of Anthropology and a traditional market. Sofitel embodies a more sustainable and committed luxury highlighting local artists and local cultures, a way to give back to the communities where Sofitel’s 120 hotels are located.

Discover the campaign video here Discover the campaign video here.

Practical info
Director • John Hillcoat
Chief Operator • Philippe Le Sourd
Ambassadors • Gillian Anderson and Dali Benssalah
Agencies • Havas Paris • Prose on Pixels (POP)

About Sofitel

Established in 1964, Sofitel is the first international luxury hotel brand to originate from France. Sofitel today embodies heartfelt and committed luxury with a French zest. A seamless blend of the richness of each local culture and the French joie de vivre, the brand delights travelers who appreciate delicacy and subtle refinement, offering them heartfelt and authentic service. At Sofitel, beauty is in the details: life’s simple pleasures such as gastronomy and sleep are art forms for an incomparable experience.

Sofitel now boasts more than 120 hotels, all elegant and unique, in the world’s most sought-after destinations. Among its most remarkable properties: the Sofitel Paris Le Scribe, the Sofitel London St.James, the Sofitel Dubai The Obelisk, the Sofitel Mexico City Reforma and the Sofitel Ambassador Seoul. The brand also offers a selection of heritage luxury hotels under the Sofitel Legend banner, renowned for their timeless elegance and fascinating history, such as the Sofitel Legend Old Cataract Aswan, the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena and the Sofitel Legend Metropole Hanoi.

Sofitel is part of Accor, leading hospitality group counting over 5,500 properties throughout more than 110 countries, and a participating brand in ALL - Accor Live Limitless – a lifestyle loyalty program providing access to a wide variety of rewards, services and experiences.

sofitel.com | all.com | group.accor.com