Aardman creates exclusive Early Man ad campaign for Channel 4

23 January 2018

Channel 4 has partnered with Aardman and STUDIOCANAL to celebrate the UK cinema release of Academy Award® Winner Nick Park’s new feature film Early Man with a bespoke animated campaign starring the film’s Stone Age characters.

 

Ahead of the film’s release on January 26th Channel 4 will broadcast the official Early Man trailer on Monday 22nd January, a unique branded introduction during The Undateables before launching a series of 10 second bespoke ads depicting a claymation Stone Age take on the programme genre they appear around.

 

The contextual ads from the Wallace and Gromit creators include Aardman’s guide to Food, Dating, Home Improvement and Entertainment in the Stone Age, the period in which the film is set, and will run across Channel 4’s peak time schedule throughout the week.

 

This represents the first time Aardman has created a bespoke campaign with Channel 4 and the creative idea was developed through 4Sales creative approach PL4Y alongside Target Media.

 

Angus Mitchell, Agency Principal, Channel 4 said: “STUDIOCANAL’s aim was to launch Early Man in a unique and special way to Channel 4 viewers. Aardman’s highly creative and entertaining campaign, developed through 4Sales’ creative approach PL4Y in collaboration with STUDIOCANAL and Target Media, will achieve just that – viewers will love it!”

 

Stuart Henderson, Head of UK Marketing, STUDIOCANAL said: “One of the great things about working with the incredible team at Aardman is that we have the opportunity to work closely with them to create new and bespoke animation for each campaign. With this in mind, we were able to work with Channel 4 on something completely unique as part of our campaign, introducing their audience to the world of Early Man by taking some of their most popular genres – and indeed their iconic ident – back to the Stone Age.”

 

Head of Aardman Rights and Brand Development Sean Clarke said: “We loved the idea of the Early Man tribe stepping out of their world to give their take on these key Channel 4 programming themes. We are hopeful audiences will engage with our characters in anticipation of seeing the film out in cinemas this Friday 26 January.”

 

Luke Knowler, Junior TV Account Manager, Target Media said: “Target Media are thrilled to have been involved with this project. The partnership with Channel 4 is the perfect way to engage the right audiences, and showcase the brilliant new characters that we will meet in Early Man!”

 

Ends.

 

Notes to editors

 

About Early Man:

EARLY MAN is the new prehistoric comedy adventure from four-time Academy Award® -winning director Nick Park and AARDMAN, the creators of WALLACE & GROMIT and SHAUN THE SHEEP. Shot in Aardman’s own distinctive style, the film will take audiences on an extraordinary journey into an exciting new world unleashing an unforgettable tribe of unique and funny new characters voiced by an all-star British cast.

 

Set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures roamed the earth, EARLY MAN tells the story of courageous caveman hero Dug (Eddie Redmayne) and his best friend Hognob as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth (Tom Hiddleston) and his Bronze Age City to save their home.

 

EARLY MAN is released in UK cinemas on 26 January 2018.

 

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Creative credits

Suzy Parr- Director

Andy Janes- Storyboard Artist

Dan Hembery- Editor

Pete Sorg- DOP