C4 and Allianz launch Dare to Believe Shorts for Rio Paralympics

7 July 2016

Channel 4, in partnership with Allianz Insurance, has commissioned a brand new advertiser funded original Shorts series. The Dare to Believe series tells the story of seven Paralympians and the life-changing moments that led to them becoming world class athletes.

Produced by Boomerang, the eight-part series was created as part of Allianz’s Paralympic Partnership with Channel 4.

Launching on Monday 11th July, they will become the first ad funded original Shorts series to receive a linear broadcast on Channel 4 as well as being available to watch on All 4. The episodes will air on C4 at 7:55pm from Monday (11th July).

Each episode is an intimate portrait of a British Paralympian heading to Rio, focusing on their training regimes and the moments that changed their lives. Powerlifter Ali Jawad, wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft MBE, equestrian rider Natasha Baker MBE, wheelchair tennis player Jordanne Whiley MBE, footballer Jack Rutter, paratriathlete Lauren Steadman and runner Georgie Hermitage are the British athletes who take part in the series.

Dare to Believe was commissioned by Andy Stevenson, Commissioning Executive, Sport and Lara Akeju, Project Lead, Paralympics at Channel 4.

Rob Ramsey, Partnership Leader at Channel 4, said: “In the run up to Rio we are thrilled to launch Dare to Believe as part of our partnership with Allianz. The series brings the remarkable stories of seven Paralympians to All 4 and serves as a brilliant addition to the raft of Paralympic programming we have lined up this year.”

David Keel, Head of Communications at Allianz Insurance, said: “We believe that these inspirational films will give viewers a fascinating insight into the lives of these top para athletes and the moment when they ‘Dared to Believe’. With the Paralympics fast-approaching we are tremendously excited about this campaign and, of course, the Games themselves”.

Dan Wood, Head of Partnerships at MediaCom UK, commented: “The Shorts series highlights how this partnership allows Allianz to deepen their relationship with Channel 4 and the 2016 Paralympics beyond the broadcast sponsorship. The ‘Dare to Believe’ content also gives Allianz a rich suite of brand assets to distribute across broadcast, digital and social channels.”

Andy Stevenson and Lara Akeju said: “It’s been a pleasure working with Boomerang on these Dare to Believe Shorts and we’re all extremely proud of the beautiful and inspiring films that have been created. We would like to thank the seven athletes for taking time out of their busy schedules and wish them luck as they go for Gold in Rio.”

Allianz Insurance was announced as the official core sponsor of the Paralympics in February. Their sponsorship was brokered by Michelle Halpin and Andy Moore, Group Partnership Managers at Channel 4 and Dan Wood, Head of Partnerships and Andrew Gifford, Sponsorship Manager at MediaCom.

 

Notes to Editors

Creative Credits

Director – Stewart Sugg
Producer – Stacey Burns
Executive Producer – Dylan Wyn Davies

The films will premiere on Channel 4 at 7:55pm on the following dates:

Ali Jawad Monday 11th July

Hannah Cockroft MBE Tuesday 12th July

Natasha Baker MBE Wednesday 13th July

Jordanne Whiley MBE Thursday 14th July

Jack Rutter Friday 15th July

Lauren Steadman Monday 18th July

Georgie Hermitage Tuesday 19th July

All the Shorts, along with a compilation film, will be available to watch on All 4 from Monday 11th July. http://www.channel4.com/programmes/shorts

About Allianz Insurance
Allianz Insurance is one of the largest general insurers in the UK and part of the Allianz SE Group, the largest property and casualty insurer worldwide.

Around 85 million private and corporate customers rely on Allianz's knowledge, global reach, capital strength and solidity to help them make the most of financial opportunities and to avoid and safeguard themselves against risks. In 2014, over 147,000 employees in more than 70 countries achieved total revenues of approximately 122.3bn euros.

About MediaCom
MediaCom is one of the world’s leading media communications specialists, with billings exceeding US $29 billion (Source: RECMA 2013). It employs 5,800 people in 122 offices across 97 countries around the globe. Its client roster includes P&G, VW Group, Dell and Universal.

MediaCom is the “The Content + Connections Agency”, working on behalf of its clients to leverage their brands’ entire system of communications across paid, owned and earned channels to drive business growth. Its role includes optimising each individual channel and the connections between them. It also includes developing and optimising the use of content - defined as any form of consumer messaging - as the fuel that drives high-performing systems; and understanding and utilising data to deliver increased effectiveness and efficiency across all communications. By auditing clients’ communications systems, MediaCom optimises, improves and measures their outcomes across paid, owned and earned.

MediaCom is a member of WPP, the world's largest marketing communications services group, and part of GroupM, WPP’s consolidated media investment management arm.

For more information, visit www.mediacom.com    

Find us on Twitter @mediacomuk

Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/MediaComGlobalNews

Join us on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/company/mediacom