Remembering Tony Seiniger: The Godfather of Movie Advertising
We are saddened to announce the passing of Tony Seiniger, a renowned poster designer and marketing campaign strategist for iconic movies like Jaws, Poltergeist, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Total Recall. Known as the "Godfather of Movie Advertising," Seiniger mentored illustrator Drew Struzan, who went on to become a legend in the entertainment industry. Throughout his career, Seiniger was involved in over 2,500 major motion picture campaigns and received a lifetime achievement award from THR's Key Art Awards in 1998.
In 1970, Seiniger founded Seiniger Advertising in Los Angeles, where he designed the memorable poster for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. His most famous work was the iconic poster for Steven Spielberg's Jaws, featuring Roger Kastel's striking painting of a shark and a swimmer. Over the next three decades, Seiniger worked on numerous successful campaigns for films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Poltergeist, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and many others.
When asked about what makes a great poster, Seiniger emphasized the importance of creating something unique and attention-grabbing that can be easily understood in a matter of seconds. His ability to distill hours of entertainment into a simple graphic was a testament to his talent and creativity. Born in 1939 in Manhattan, Seiniger began his career in advertising at EUE/Screen Gems in New York before transitioning to movie marketing, where he made a significant impact with his innovative designs.
Tony Seiniger will be remembered for his larger-than-life personality, infectious laugh, love of food and wine, and his passion for Broadway musicals. He leaves behind a legacy of groundbreaking work in the world of movie advertising and a lasting impact on the industry. Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and colleagues during this difficult time.