Pentland Brands Partners with Sky Media for Landmark TNT Sports Channel Sponsorship.

Six of Pentland’s iconic sports, outdoor and lifestyle brands make their collective TV and multi-platform sponsorship debut.

Pentland Brands has secured a major deal to become the first-ever official channel sponsor of TNT Sports, marking a bold new chapter for its portfolio of iconic brands.

Starting today, this exciting collaboration will showcase six of Pentland’s leading brands – Berghaus, Canterbury, Ellesse, Endura, Mitre, and Speedo – through a high-impact activation spanning TV, on-demand, and social media. The campaign debuts alongside the Nottingham Forest v Manchester United Premier League match and will extend across a wide range of TNT Sports’ premium sports content.

Developed in collaboration with Sky Media, Warner Bros. Discovery and EssenceMediacom North, the campaign brings Pentland’s brands to life through engaging ‘fandents,’ short fan-fuelled idents capturing the passion of sports fans. Complementing this, a 20-second TV ad will run during prime sports programming, while high-impact social media posts across Warner Bros. Discovery’s channels will feature iconic highlights and archive moments, maximising brand visibility.

The sponsorship creative features TNT Sports fans immersed in live sporting action, with tailored straplines aligning each brand to its sporting passion: Mitre with football, Canterbury with rugby, Ellesse with tennis, Endura with cycling, Speedo with swimming and Berghaus with hiking.
The three-month deal will see Pentland’s brands featured across the entire TNT Sports portfolio, including TNT1, TNT2, TNT3, TNT4, and TNTU. This marks the first time these iconic brands have been part of a channel sponsorship and represents a strategic investment by Pentland to drive spontaneous brand awareness and audience engagement. In the last 12 months, TNT Sports reached 46 million people, making it the ideal home for Pentland’s brands.

Penny Herriman, Chief Marketing Officer at Pentland Brands, commented: “We’re incredibly excited to be the first business to sponsor TNT Sports. Our pioneering brands have a rich legacy in the world of sports and strive to see people move more. This partnership places our brands across premium, exclusive content that resonates with an engaged, relevant audience of sports fans and consumers. It will drive visibility and connect with them where consideration is high and has impact. This is the first deal of its kind for Pentland Brands, and I look forward to working in partnership with TNT to power our brands and drive fandom.”

Karin Seymour, Director of Client and Marketing at Sky Media, added: “Sport is at the heart of UK culture and nothing engages or gets us talking quite like the teams and athletes we passionately follow. By harnessing this partnership across their entire portfolio, Pentlands will create meaningful connections between fans and their brands through must-watch, talked-about content.”

Jenny O’Sullivan, Client Partner at EssenceMediacom North added: “EssenceMediacom North is proud to build on our longstanding partnership with Pentland following on from the successful ICONS campaign featuring Liam Gallagher, now launching their first official sponsorship with TNT Sports, spotlighting six of their iconic brands. This dynamic collaboration will feature captivating idents, impactful linear spots and accompanied by engaging social media activity. It’s an exciting milestone for Pentland as they continue to innovate and connect with their audience through fresh, multi-platform strategies.”

Katie Coteman, GVP, Head of Advertising and Partnerships at Warner Bros. Discovery, UK & Ireland, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Sky Media and EssenceMediacom to welcome Pentland as the official channel sponsor of TNT Sports. TNT Sports promise is to do right by the fans, offering the greatest variety of world-class sport anywhere while telling the stories of the world’s greatest athletes and competitions. This sponsorship strategically connects each of Pentland brands with its sporting passion, from football to rugby, tennis to cycling, swimming to hiking… Each of Pentland brands is seamlessly interweaved into our unmissable moments on TNT Sports.“

Sky Sports announces Major Partnership with Callaway Golf for 2025.

A Major Partnership is born. Bringing together two iconic brands from the world of golf, Callaway become the Official Partner across Men’s and Women’s events, including all the Majors.

Sky Sports announces an exciting new partnership with Callaway Golf, bringing together two iconic brands from the world of golf. The collaboration sees Callaway become the official sponsor of key events across both the men’s and women’s golfing calendar on Sky Sports Golf. The multi-platform partnership brokered by Sky Media will include linear co-sponsorship, digital advertising, Sponsorship of the Sky Sports Golf podcast, collaborative events around key moments in the golfing calendar, plus many more partnership and editorial opportunities.

Callaway will co-sponsor a number of landmark events on the golfing calendar, including The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and the LET & LPGA Tours. The sponsorship extends to all major Women’s Majors (excluding the AIG Women’s Open), reinforcing the shared commitment to promoting golf’s premier events across both the men’s and women’s season.

In addition to co-sponsorship of these globally recognised tournaments, the partnership also encompasses the sponsorship of The Open’s non-live content, with the ambition to further amplify the reach of the iconic championship for new and existing fans. Sky Sports Golf’s popular weekly podcast, this year hosted by Jamie Weir, is sponsored by Callaway, providing fans with a deeper dive into the world of golf, from tournament and equipment insights to exclusive interviews with top players and industry experts.

Jason Wessely, Director of Sky Sports Golf says: “Sky Sports is very proud to be joined by Callaway, a leader in the golfing equipment industry, and a brand who are aligned with Sky Sports’ ambition to be the best partner to golf and enhance the viewing and playing experience for fans across the UK and beyond. It’s an exciting time as Sky continues to innovate and push our digital and non-live content, and Callaway is a natural fit to partner with us to do so.”

Chris Gregg, Marketing Director, Callaway Golf said: “Sky Sports is a leader in golf coverage and this partnership allows us to bring golfers closer to the action during Major golf events, while championing equal golf. With exclusive content and insider access our partnership will elevate how new and traditional fans experience golf, aligning perfectly with our mission to make golf more fun for all golfers. We have exciting plans in place to engage fans and look forward to bringing this partnership to life!”

This collaboration marks a new chapter and exciting relationship for Sky and Callaway, and fans can expect to see both brands come together via content, activations, giveaways and fan engagement, focusing on growing audiences and inspiring the next generation of the men’s and women’s game.

Audi takes pole position with 3-year Sky Sports F1 deal

Audi has signed a three-year deal to become the official sponsor of Sky Sports F1. The full channel sponsorship will cover a wide range of programming, including every practice, qualifying and race, as well as documentaries, analysis and features.

The multi-platform partnership begins on February 18th, aligning with the F1 75 Live showcase where for the first time ever, all 10 teams come together to unveil their 2025 liveries. Testing for the season begins in Bahrain on February 26th with the first race weekend in Australia starting 14th March. Planned and brokered by Sky Media and Omnicom Media Group’s PHD, this new partnership encompasses all areas of the Sky Media ecosystem. It includes sponsorship across broadcast, Sky Sports digital platforms, with extension via Sky Advance, as well as coverage via Sky Sports social channels and the Sky Sports F1 podcast.

The 2024 season broke viewing records for Sky Sports, as close battles up and down the grid created an unpredictable and thrilling experience for fans. The British Grand Prix became the most-watched British GP ever. Additionally, video views across the YouTube channel, website, and app significantly increased.

Tony Moore, Head of Marketing at Audi UK, said: “Innovative engineering has always been an Audi trademark, especially embodied in our range of performance cars. We’re excited to launch our partnership with Sky Sports Formula 1, the perfect platform through which to celebrate Vorsprung durch Technik”

Karin Seymour, Director of Client & Marketing at Sky Media, added: “Our partnership with Audi is truly multi-faceted. F1 has become one of the fastest-growing sports, with an increasingly diverse and engaged fan base driving record TV viewership and online engagement. As partners to Sky Sports F1, we’re helping Audi connect with this new wave of fans and be at the heart of the conversation.”

Tom Rovery, Partnerships Business Director at PHD, commented: “We are delighted to have extended Audi’s relationship with Sky Sports, in addition to our award-winning Innovation partnership. I’m confident that Audi & Sky Sports F1 will be a potent partnership of performance for years to come”

Sky Sports is the home of F1 in the UK and Ireland until 2029, and is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session, and race, offering the best live coverage and expert analysis for both existing and new fans. The 2025 Formula 1 World Championship battle kicks off in Melbourne, Australia, from March 14-16th.

Cancer Research UK and Sky Media join forces to bring new ‘Power of Pledges’ campaign to life highlighting the transformative impact of Gifts in Wills.

World’s leading cancer charity teams up with Sky Arts and Channel 5 to share inspiring stories of resilience and progress.

Sky Media, the advertising sales arm of Sky, has joined forces with Cancer Research UK to launch a compelling campaign showcasing the transformative power of legacy gifts. The ‘Power of Pledges’ campaign will debut on World Cancer Day (4th February), using real-life stories to highlight how gifts in Wills contribute to ground breaking advancements in cancer research and treatment.

Gifts in Wills have played a vital role in helping to double cancer survival in the UK over the past 50 years. This campaign brings the impact of those donations to life by featuring inspiring stories of resilience, creativity, and innovation from cancer survivors, researchers, and artists. Actor Stephen Mangan, who has a personal connection to cancer, after losing both parents to the disease, narrates the campaign.

The campaign features four creative threads, broadcast across Channel 5 and Sky Arts from the 4th of February until the end of March. These short films highlight individuals whose lives have been shaped by cancer and explore the life changing work of Cancer Research UK.

• On Channel 5, the 60” and 20” films join Dr. Jamie Dean and Professor Maria Hawkins who share advancements in radiotherapy being helped by gifts in Wills and highlight real stories of those who have benefitted from research developments 
• On Sky Arts, the 90” creatives focus on artists like Carole Ellis, who channels her cancer journey to evolve her artistic work to ‘uplift, brighten their days and give hope’, and Helen Anahita Wilson, a musician whose experience with cancer has shaped her artistic expression, using plants to create music that improves the experience of those going through treatment.

Karin Seymour, Director of Client and Marketing at Sky Media, commented: “Every two minutes, someone in the UK is diagnosed with cancer, a life-altering moment that also deeply affects their families and friends. By sharing these powerful stories of progress and creativity with audiences nationwide, we aim to inspire more legacy donations that help save lives and create meaningful change.”

Clare Moore, Director of Product & Portfolio at Cancer Research UK, added: “Thanks to our supporters, our work has helped double cancer survival in the UK in the last fifty years. But with nearly one in two of us diagnosed with cancer in our lifetime, we must go further and faster**. That’s why we’re shining a light on pledging a gift in your Will, because of the life-saving impact it could have for future generations. Gifts in Wills fund a third of Cancer Research UK’s vital work, enabling us to invest in pioneering trials and long-term research projects that could find new ways to outsmart cancer and make a huge difference to thousands of families across the UK. When someone writes Cancer Research UK into their Will, they’re helping to create a future that could protect the ones they love and we take that responsibility very seriously. So, we hope that people will take steps to find out more about gifts in Wills.”

The short films produced by Recipe, will be placed in contextually aligned content across both channels including medical-themed shows such as Ambulance: Code Red, Critical Condition, and GP’s Behind Closed Doors. These programmes bring the intersection of medicine and science to life through powerful human stories, resonating deeply with the target audience – viewers aged 55+. This campaign harnesses insights that people are more likely to support a charity after hearing directly from someone affected by cancer, making these placements important in getting people to consider leaving a gift in their Will.

A survey commissioned by Cancer Research UK found that 1 in 6 UK adults (17%) are unaware that they can gift money or items to charities in their Will. However, 32% of respondents with a Will say they do include a gift to charity and 30% of people who are aware they can leave a gift to charity, would consider doing so in future. 

Managed by EssenceMediacom and Sky Media, these stories will run across TV, social and video-on-demand (VOD). The longer-form creatives will air on channels including Sky News and Sky Nature.

Nicholas Goodeve-Docker, Senior Associate Director at EssenceMediacom said: “At EssenceMediacom, we’re committed to using innovative media strategies to help our clients reach new and engaged audiences. Through media buying across Channel 5, Sky Arts, and digital platforms, we are excited to have helped facilitate this partnership between Cancer Research UK and Sky to maximise the impact of these powerful personal stories. By driving awareness, engagement, and ultimately greater support for life-saving research, this campaign also highlights the vital role of leaving a gift in a will to CRUK—helping to fund future breakthroughs and leave a lasting legacy in cancer research.”

Katie Weymouth, Senior Account Manager at Recipe said: “This has been a unique experience. Collaborating with Cancer Research UK, people​ who’ve been through cancer treatment and the researchers fighting for better treatments, has been really moving. I​t’s been a project full of authenticity and heart and partnering with the powerhouses that are Sky, Channel 5 and Essence​Mediacom, we’ve hopefully raised awareness and demonstrated the power of leaving a lasting legacy. T​his has been an insightful journey from so many perspectives and one I hope the audience will connect ​with on a deeper level​.”

Christa Thompson, UK & International Group Director, Paramount Advertising International said: “This creative collaboration provides CRUK with a national public service platform to showcase their important work in a way that will really resonate with Channel 5’s viewers.”

Sky Media unveils bold new brand positioning alongside innovations at industry upfronts

Sky Media, the advertising partnerships arm of Sky, brought the media industry together last week at the Tate Modern in London for its Sky Media Connects showcase. Over 350 media agency executives attended the high-energy event, which unveiled Sky Media’s new brand positioning: Connections Mean Everything, alongside a suite of exciting products and partnerships.

Sky Media Managing Director, Brett Aumuller, hosted the event, emphasising Sky Media’s ability to build meaningful connections in four core areas – Customers, Culture, Partners, and Innovation. Highlights included appearances from notable sports figures Micah Richards, Laura Robson, and David Flatman, Sky’s unique customer insights from Sky News’ Sarah-Jane Mee, and a fireside chat between presenter Dan Walker and Paramount Chief Content Officer Ben Frow on the evolution of Channel 5.

The event opened with a compelling performance from award-winning poet Sophia Thakur and went on to feature major announcements including;

• Sky Media IQ and Project Norman – new insight tools using Sky’s industry-leading data and campaign measurement capabilities to deliver smarter, more effective advertising.

• Expanded advertising opportunities in women’s sport, a collaboration with Hearst UK, a new sports marketplace and sponsorship options tied to the new Premier League deal.

• Advances in streaming and programmatic, including the expansion of FAST channels to VIDAA, biddable inventory on The Trade Desk, and the roll-out of voice-activated ads.

Brett Aumuller, Managing Director of Sky Media, commented “Over the last 9 months we’ve been on a journey to build out the ‘Connections Mean Everything’ brand position which captures what we uniquely bring to market. Each word in our brand position is equally important, it’s about creating the right connections with audiences, in a meaningful way for clients and bringing together everything across our ecosystem which to deliver scale, creativity and better outcomes for brands.”

With Sky Media continuing to lead on innovation and creativity, the latest showcase set a bold vision for how advertisers can unlock new opportunities and deliver impactful campaigns. Major announcements were made aligning to each key pillar of the brand positioning:

Connected to Customers

• Sky Media IQ: A sophisticated tool that delivers deduplicated multi-platform outcomes measurement, Sky Media IQ integrates web visit lift, conversion metrics, and other performance indicators into one streamlined dashboard. This allows advertisers to assess the holistic impact of their campaigns across Linear TV, video on demand (VoD), and digital platforms, offering unrivalled transparency and accountability.

• Project Norman: Powered by insights from over 2,000 campaigns spanning 10 years, this AI-driven dataset allows advertisers to benchmark performance, optimise targeting, and strategically allocate media budgets. Norman focuses on metrics like brand lift and sales conversions, empowering advertisers to plan campaigns informed by real-world results.

Connected to Culture

• Premier League sponsorship opportunities: Sky Media invited agencies and brands to access its expanded Premier League coverage, offering exclusive sponsorship opportunities to partner with the UK’s most-watched sports event across Sky Sports and TNT Sports.
• Sports Marketplace: A simplified way for advertisers to access Sky Media’s live sports inventory. Sports Marketplace introduces impression-based packs, available both programmatically and directly, to help brands of all sizes connect with live sports audiences.

Connected to Partners

• Hearst UK partnership: As the market leader in broadcasting women’s sports, Sky Media announced a new partnership with leading publisher, Hearst UK, to enhance the visibility and impact of women’s sport across the UK. Launching in 2025, this collaboration will offer advertisers the opportunity to tap into the rapidly growing women’s sports sector and connect with a new generation of fans. Research reveals that these fans are eager for more non-live sports content and want to see female athletes recognised as icons. This partnership will tap in to sporting moments throughout the year connecting them with audiences’ passions for fashion, beauty, and health, with athletes at the forefront.

Connected to Innovation

• FAST channel expansion: Following a successful rollout across Samsung TV Plus and Sky’s platform, Sky’s suite of FAST channels will be available on VIDAA, expanding its reach across Hisense and Toshiba devices.
• Paramount+ and streamers package: Sky’s new solution aggregates reach across major SVOD platforms, providing seamless access to millions of younger viewers – an audience that increasingly prefers streaming over traditional viewing.

• Biddable inventory with The Trade Desk: Advertisers can now programmatically purchase premium VoD inventory, including live sports, through private marketplace auctions. This ensures greater flexibility and accessibility for brands looking to deliver against performance goals.

• Voice-activated ads: Sky unveiled interactive ads that enable viewers to use voice commands to explore branded content directly from their TV screens. Initial tests showed significant uplifts in ad recall and engagement metrics, reinforcing the potential of voice technology in advertising.

Sky Sports ‘MO’bilises Top Talent to Champion Men’s Health Awareness with Movember

Sky Media, the advertising sales arm of Sky, has announced an exciting new partnership with Sky Sports and global men’s health charity Movember known for its ground-breaking work.

In collaboration with the agency Bicycle, the content-led campaign aims to leverage Sky Sports’ top talent to drive awareness, sign-ups, and donations for Movember, while also showing that you don’t need to ‘grow a mo’ to join in. There are countless ways for women and anyone else to show support and get involved, from moving 60km in the month, hosting an event or taking on an epic challenge.

Featuring popular Sky Sports presenters Simon Thomas, Pete Graves, Clinton Morrison, and Hayley McQueen the campaign will include four bespoke 30-second TV commercials which will air across Sky Sports platforms. The campaign will also incorporate digital and social content including exclusive interviews with presenters who are growing moustaches to personally champion the cause.

Movember’s 2024 campaign with Sky Sports is strategically designed to engage new and existing audiences, reigniting excitement and increasing participation and will even see co-branded ‘Sky Sports Presents’ idents as part of the creative playout.

“Our partnership with Movember goes beyond the typical campaign; we’re using our platform to engage millions of viewers in meaningful conversations about men’s health,” said Karin Seymour, Director of Client & Marketing. “With top Sky Sports presenting talent like Simon Thomas and Pete Graves leading by example, we aim to spark action across the UK, motivating people to grow, donate, and make a lasting impact.”

Throughout Movember, Soccer Saturday and Sky Sports fans will be able to monitor the progress of the moustache growing in action as Simon Thomas and Pete Graves, both take part in the Movember challenge.

The campaign will be visible across various Sky platforms, including Video on Demand (VOD), SFVOD, digital editorial, social and linear TV channels, ensuring widespread reach and engagement.

Anne-Cecile Berthier, Country Director UK & Europe at Movember, said: “We are excited to work with Sky Media to bring millions of eyes to Movember, helping to raise funds and awareness to change the face of men’s health.

“As a charity, we work tirelessly to deliver innovative, breakthrough research and support programmes that enable men to live happier, healthier and longer lives. And we couldn’t do it without our global community of supporters. So, whether you’re growing a Mo, taking on an epic challenge or hosting an event, we’re encouraging everyone to get involved this Movember.”

Since its inception in 2003, Movember has grown into a global movement, funding more than 1,300 men’s health projects around the world. The charity is dedicated to addressing four critical areas of men’s health: mental health, suicide prevention, prostate cancer, and testicular cancer. Sky Sports’ campaign aims to remind audiences of the tangible impact their involvement can make.

Ocean Bottle Makes Waves with First TV Ad Campaign

The social impact brand turning the tide on ocean-bound plastic makes its TV debut as a 2023 Sky Zero Footprint Fund finalist

Sky Media, the advertising arm of Sky, has today announced that 2023 Sky Zero Footprint Fund finalist, Ocean Bottle, is making its TV debut supporting its mission to save our ocean. The new campaign tells us that by 2050, plastic is expected to outweigh all fish in the ocean, and now, more than ever, it’s time for change.

Ocean Bottle impressed judges last year with its sustainability credentials and potential impact, securing £250,000 in media value for its national TV campaign. Each Ocean Bottle funds the collection of 1000 plastic bottles in weight. Collectors exchange plastic for money and get access to social resources such as healthcare, education and financial security. So far, Ocean Bottle has collected 14,164,500 kilograms of plastic via its partners: grassroots organisations in coastal communities in countries such as Indonesia, India and Ghana – the equivalent to 1 billion plastic bottles in weight.

Ocean Bottle’s TV campaign will air across a mix of Sky Media’s Linear and Video On Demand (VOD) platforms. The campaign will use Sky Media’s Performance Solution team to optimise delivery in real-time to maximise response. The VOD activity aims to drive brand awareness through the ‘Must See VOD’ package, featuring a wide range of Sky’s premium content. The first wave of the campaign will run until 11th July 2024 and marks the brand’s TV debut.

The 30” advert aims to spread the Ocean Bottle message and connect viewers to the plastic-pollution crisis by depicting a strange yet dystopian world where plastic replaces fish. Scenes show a girl winning a plastic bottle in a bag of water at the funfair, a woman picking which plastic bottle she’d like at the fish counter in a supermarket, and a man serving a battered plastic bottle at the fish and chip shop. The campaign’s message is clear: Buy 1, Rescue 1,000 – with an Ocean Bottle anyone can directly contribute to protecting the health of our ocean.

The creative was crafted and produced in partnership with Hatch London and follows best practice advice and recommendations from the Advertising Association’s AdGreen programme.

Will Pearson, CEO and Co-Founder at Ocean Bottle said: “Ocean Bottle was created to give people an easy way to contribute, have an impact, and make a difference when it comes to protecting our ocean. We’re so proud to be one of Sky Zero’s Footprint Fund finalists to spread this message further and empower more individuals to drive positive change. With Sky Zero’s backing, we’ve been able to create a truly impactful campaign that we hope will get even more people hydrated while helping the ocean at the same time.”

Mark Gibson, Managing Director at Hatch London, commented: “Ocean Bottle and Sky are at the very forefront of companies making a real difference towards Net Zero. We’re honoured that the collective team at Hatch has been chosen as the creative partner for the campaign. We look forward to continuing the journey with these outstanding clients.”

Sarah Jones, Director of Planning at Sky Media, added: “The Footprint Fund celebrates brands that make sustainability accessible and impactful. Ocean Bottle’s innovative and thought-provoking campaign does just that. We are thrilled to help bring this creative vision to life and anticipate it will inspire significant positive change in consumer behaviour towards reusable products.”

Asda launches ‘Behind the Scenes’ taste test challenge with Sky’s hit show Never Mind the Buzzcocks, to showcase food quality

Asda is continuing its quest for a #foodrevolution to highlight the quality of its food by partnering with popular Sky TV series Never Mind the Buzzcocks.

Asda has tasked celebrity comedians Judi Love and Buzzcocks regular panellist Jamali Maddix, along with the team from Sorted Food (a food community and YouTube channel with over 2 million subscribers) to perform blind taste tests (and give their honest opinion) on Asda products and their Marks & Spencer equivalents. Taking place behind the scenes of Never Mind the Buzzcocks, the ‘Taste Match’ campaign aims to challenge brand perceptions and target secondary shoppers by demonstrating the high quality of Asda products.

As the first-ever branded partnership with Never Mind the Buzzcocks, the campaign will launch primarily as a social content series on Sky social channels, comprising of three long form episodes hosted on YouTube with 60” cutdowns on Instagram and Facebook. The ads will appear across Linear and On Demand Sky Media channels, placed strategically during key show breaks. Each ad will feature a QR code, driving viewers to the longer form content and will run for six weeks, until 5th November.

Spark Foundry, Asda’s media agency, has handled the media planning and buying, with SPP Media managing the partnership, and content production by Sky Media Commercial Production.

Never Mind the Buzzcocks is available Wednesdays at 9pm on Sky Showcase, also on Sky Max and NOW.

With comedian, actor and writer Greg Davies back in the presenting chair, the new series of the much-loved music themed quiz also sees the return of team captains, Noel Fielding and Daisy-May Cooper and regular guest Jamali Maddix for a 9 x 45 series plus a Christmas Special for 2023.

Stephi Brett-Lee, Senior Director of Brand Communications at Asda, said: “We’re incredibly proud to launch our Taste Match campaign and prove that great quality doesn’t have to come at a price. In thousands of blind taste tests, 100s of Asda products were found to be as tasty, or even tastier, than M&S. Never Mind the Buzzcocks gave us the perfect platform to showcase some of these products and conduct Taste Tests in a fun and engaging way with some completely impartial guest celebrities.”

Sarah Jones, Director of Planning at Sky Media, said: “We’re thrilled to work with Asda on such a fun, engaging campaign. Through a first of its kind partnership with Never Mind the Buzzcocks, Asda are brilliantly harnessing the power of TV with social to put a spotlight on the quality of their products.”

Kat Broomhead, Managing Partner at Spark Foundry UK, said: “This campaign aligns quality video content – harnessing one of Sky’s leading shows and talent – with quality food, putting it to the test. The taste test is a brilliant way to leverage the power of TV and brand socials, and help shift key perceptions of the brand amongst a wide audience.”

To learn more, visit Asda.com/TasteMatch.

Prestige Flowers renews sponsorship with Channel 5 in seven-figure deal

Sky Media announces that Prestige Flowers has renewed its sponsorship of Channel 5, following the success of its 2022 campaign. The seven-figure deal includes a 12-month sponsorship of Extraordinary Stories, running from April 2023 to April 2024, and a two-month sponsorship of Christmas Movies, running from November to December 2023.

Since Prestige Flowers first aired as a Channel 5 sponsor in July 2022, the brand has reached 61% of all adults in the UK (31.5 million). Popular programming that helped achieve this reach included 22 Kids and Counting, Inside the Tower of London, and Secrets of the Royal Palaces.

The renewal deal was brokered by media agency, Recipe; the same creative minds behind the 10” sponsorship idents which will run across linear and VOD. These idents showcase the range of human emotions which are evoked when receiving the gift of flowers.

The renewal of this sponsorship will cement Prestige Flowers’ affiliation with the astonishing people and emotional backstories at the centre of Channel 5’s Extraordinary Stories content. It will also align the joyous sentiment of sending flowers with the uplifting festive films throughout the Christmas Movies portion of the campaign.

Philip Crowther Business Director of Prestige Flowers has said “We are delighted to have extended our Extraordinary Stories deal with Channel 5 that is ‘Delivering Unexpected Moments. This 7-figure 1 year extension of the hugely successful Channel 5 campaign for Extraordinary Stories, developed in collaboration with Recipe, will continue to the build the mass coverage we need and showcase the emotional impact of sending and receiving flowers beyond the bouquets themselves. Our continued partnership with Channel 5 is a significant milestone for us, and we’re excited to bring unexpected moments of joy to a wider audience.”

Peter Dale, VP Adsales & Commercial Development, Paramount UK has said “We’re thrilled to renew our partnership with Prestige Flowers across Channel 5 throughout 2023 and beyond. Their continued support demonstrates our shared commitment of celebrating significant moments in everyday lives, that resonate with our audience”.

‘The Sunday Times Best Places To Live’, Sponsored By Halifax, Is Set To Debut On Channel 5

Premiering on Channel 5 on Sunday 14th May 2023, the popular Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Live’, sponsored by Halifax, will showcase the various locations that made it into the anticipated housing list.

Sky Media today announces a new sponsorship with Halifax that will bring the popular The Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Live’ list live to Channel 5, in a two-hour TV special this Sunday, 14th May.

In collaboration with Sky Media, Paramount (Channel 5), and media agency Zenith UK, Halifax launches its first AFP (advertising funded programming) campaign with wider commercial assets to support. The two-hour show produced by Paramount’s in-house studio builds on the existing 2-year-long partnership between Halifax and The Sunday Times. The sponsorship campaign sees a range of idents and supporting media that runs across Linear airtime, Channel 5’s social media platforms and the channel’s on-demand service, My5.

For over ten years, The Sunday Times has been celebrating the Best Places to Live in the UK. The annual list is the uncontested authority on the most desirable and attractive locations across Britain celebrating affordability, great schools, fast connectivity and good transport links in hotspots across the UK; including bustling cities, lively town centres, and picturesque villages nestled in the beautiful British countryside.

Now, the must-read list is a must-watch TV special, brought to the big screen for the first time. Fern Britton – joined by Ore Oduba and Sunetra Sarker – countdown the top ten Best Places to Live in 2023 as they travel to every corner of the UK to explore each unique location. The show follows these top presenters as they go beyond the stats to find out what makes each place so special and what it feels like to live there. In each place – whether urban or rural – they chat with the locals, enjoy local activities and experience for themselves what life is like in one of the UK’s Top Ten Best Places to Live. The content is a natural fit for Channel 5’s audience – a broadcaster for the people, all across the country and a place for regional voices.

Recipe is producing the supporting TVC and ident assets that showcase the unique features of some of the locations that have Halifax branches, such as Birmingham and Chichester. The TVC’s celebrate the areas and what Halifax colleagues working there love about them – from recognisable landmarks to architectural features and local points of interest.

Karin Seymour, Director of Client and Marketing, Sky Media, said: “As part of our latest partnership with Halifax, we’re really excited to launch The Sunday Times Best Places to Live content this weekend, to the perfect audience on Channel 5. The AFP brings together three of the country’s favourite presenters – Fern, Ore, and Sunetra – to take viewers on a guided tour to some of the country’s most beautiful locations, celebrating exactly why they’ve made the top ten.”

Helen Davies, the editor of The Sunday Times Best Places to Live 2023, said: “Over the past decade, The Sunday Times has built up Best Places to Live to become the definitive guide celebrating the very best of Britain’s towns, villages and cities — and not just old favourites, but highlighting buzzing communities across the country. It’s fantastic to see it come alive as a television show.”

Fern Britton, presenter, said: “I’ve been reading the Sunday Times Best Places to Live list since it first began in 2013 – and I’m so excited to be able to join as the list expands onto TV. One of the great things about my job is the different people I get to meet, so travelling up and down the country with Ore and Sunetra to some of its most idyllic spots has been a fantastic experience.”

Kim Kinnaird, the Director of Halifax Mortgages, said: “At Halifax, we know it’s where you live that really makes somewhere feel like ‘home’ and what people look for when choosing where to live is a very personal choice. We know that the housing market can sometimes feel daunting when there are so many locations and things to consider. Taking a look at these fantastic locations is a great start, with options for different budgets and family situations, alongside an exciting blend of urban and rural living. We are excited to be bringing these stunning locations directly into people’s homes with this first of its kind programme.”

The content will run on Sunday 14th May 2023.