C4 and British Gas partner for Shorts series starring Phil Spencer

14 October 2015

Channel 4, in partnership with British Gas, today announces new advertiser funded Shorts series Phil Spencer: Home Hero presented by the broadcaster’s property guru Phil Spencer (Kirstie and Phil’s Love It or List It; Phil Spencer: Secret Agent; Location, Location, Location).

The six part series launches exclusively on All 4’s digital Shorts platform soon. Each episode sees Phil lend his expertise to homeowners facing a different modern-day and classic dilemma offering take-out tips on subjects such as moving home as a family for the first time, creating a multi-purpose small garden, upcycling ugly flatpack furniture on a budget or creating a stylish work from home space in a bedroom.

British Gas was the first advertiser to fund branded Shorts content on All 4 with lifestyle Shorts series Home Truths when the platform launched last year.

Phil Spencer: Home Hero and Home Truths form part of a major three year partnership with the energy and home services company.  In addition to short-form content this also includes sponsorship of programme strand Homes on 4 comprised of much-loved, successful series such as Grand Designs, Restoration Man, Location, Location, Location and George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces.

Phil Spencer: Home Hero was commissioned by Thom Gulseven, Senior Producer, Channel 4 and executive produced by Andrew Jackson, Creative Director, Raise the Roof Productions.

The Shorts partnership with British Gas was arranged by Channel 4’s Content Solutions Partnerships Manager Sarah Honeyball and The Story Lab, Carat’s specialist content division.

Phil Spencer: Home Hero is the latest addition to Channel 4’s collection of advertiser funded Shorts which includes major partnerships with Foster’s, Scope, Sony, Rimmel London and Alfa Romeo.

Rob Ramsey, Partnerships Leader, Channel 4 said: “C4 Sales’ ongoing partnership with British Gas fulfils our vision to create innovative and far-reaching partnerships that extend across Channel 4’s platforms. The co-creation of Shorts content is the icing on the cake, delivering premium TV content that tells a British Gas brand story in a truly engaging way across All 4 as well as the brand’s own platforms.”

Margaret Jobling, Director of Brand Marketing, British Gas, said: “The launch of British Gas’ original Shorts content with Channel 4 is an important milestone in our three-year partnership with the broadcaster, which has evolved to focus less on properties and more on homes themselves.

“Complementing Channel 4’s expanding library of popular property and home programming, the Shorts – hosted by Phil Spencer – will explore helpful ways to make your home your haven, and British Gas’ role in keeping millions of homes across the country warm and working.”

Thom Gulseven said: “It’s fantastically exciting to be able to work with Raise the Roof Productions and well-loved Channel 4 talent like Phil in a short form space, reimagining all their property expertise for a tip-hungry online audience.”

Andrew Jackson, Creative Director, Raise the Roof Productions said: “It’s great for us to be working with All 4 and the Partnerships team on this project. The idea of using Phil’s talents to remind people of how best to use their home was too good an opportunity to miss and hopefully a whole new short form audience will engage with his practical and simple tips.”

Ends.