Google joins forces with Channel 4’s Taskmaster in new cross platform partnership

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Channel 4 today announces a new six week partnership with Google that sees the technology company join forces with Avalon produced, BAFTA-winning show Taskmaster, launching on Thursday 21st October 2021.

The Taskmaster’s assistant (and show creator) Alex Horne takes his usual role and is joined by past contestant Al Murray and current series’ contestant Desiree Burch who try to crack two all new tasks - but this time with a little help from Google. The resulting content will live across linear and digital.

This first of its kind brand partnership with the hit show will premiere with an entire ad break takeover showcasing a bespoke edit of one of the tasks during this week’s episode of Taskmaster, on Thursday at approx. 9.10pm on Channel 4.

Throughout the following six weeks the series will run across Channel 4’s Facebook and Taskmaster YouTube accounts, with shorter edits posted to Channel 4’s Instagram account as well as airing as a linear TV campaign. It will also run across Google’s own accounts and the comedians will be whipping up excitement for the new content via their social channels.

The campaign is the result of collaboration between its producers Avalon, 4Sales and its social-first branded entertainment 4Studio team, Google and their agencies OMD UK and Essence.

David Amodio, Deputy Head of Digital Innovation & 4Studio said: “This exciting collaboration places hugely entertaining Taskmaster content at the heart of Google’s significant TV ad campaign whilst bringing even more of the much-loved show to fans across our social channels – seamlessly integrating the brand into one of Channel 4’s most popular programmes. It’s a brilliant example of how 4Studio is working with partners to deliver unique, quality, social-first series that our audiences love to engage with.”

Nishma Robb, Director, Brand & Reputation Marketing, Google said: "We're delighted to be partnering with Channel 4 and Taskmaster on this project - the team have found an incredibly unique (and funny) way to shine a light on how products like Google Translate and Google Lens help foster understanding and connection. It's the central theme of our current campaign. I'd like to thank everyone involved for their efforts, and I hope fans of the show enjoy!"  

Channel 4 has recently partnered with Google in a Channel 4 talent fronted campaign celebrating the local high street and for branded entertainment series and four-part Black British premium ‘docu-ality’ series Highlife.

4Studio is the number one Branded Content partner in the UK. In its first year the specialist commercial team has delivered numerous successful social-first campaigns in partnership with brands including award-winning Mission: Accessible with Visit Britain, Fracture with Balmain, Untold: The Police with The Home Office, and Unseen Kingdoms with The Body Shop and more.

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Notes to Editors

Clips and stills available on request

About Avalon:

Avalon is a multi-award-winning talent management, television production and live promotion group with offices in London, Los Angeles and New York.

Avalon, Artist Rights Group (ARG) and The Agency represent a prolific roster of artists including comedians, actors, presenters, writers and directors. Avalon’s numerous ground-breaking returning television shows currently in production include: Not Going Out (BBC), the UK’s longest running sitcom on air; Taskmaster (Channel 4), the BAFTA-winning hit entertainment format showing in 100 countries; multi Emmy-winner, Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO); The Russell Howard Hour (Sky), the network’s most successful entertainment show launch since 2010; Starstruck, a new sitcom from the 2018 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner Rose Matafeo (HBO Max/BBC); Everything’s Gonna Be Okay, from creator Josh Thomas (Freeform); Breeders, a sitcom starring Martin Freeman and Daisy Haggard (FX/Sky); a new series of the iconic British satirical puppet show, Spitting Image (BritBox UK); and multiple comedy specials for Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max and Netflix.

Other landmark Avalon shows include BAFTA winning and multi Emmy nominated Catastrophe (Amazon Prime Video/Channel 4), Fantasy Football League (BBC/ITV), multi BAFTA-winning TV Burp (ITV), and Workaholics (Comedy Central USA). Avalon also distributes its catalogue of programmes to over 150 countries worldwide.  Avalon has produced many globally successful podcasts and is at the top of the UK iTunes chart with the multi-award-winning Shagged. Married. Annoyed by Chris and Rosie Ramsey.

As a leading promoter of live comedy, Avalon produced Newman and Baddiel: Live at Wembley, the UK’s first arena comedy show; Jerry Springer: The Opera, the first West End show to win all four UK ‘Best New Musical’ awards; and has continued to produce and promote live shows globally, as well as promoting more winners and nominees of the prestigious Edinburgh Comedy Award than any other company.

For Avalon news visit: www.avalonuk.com/press or follow @avalonent