Channel 4 today announces a brand new interactive VoD format that enables advertisers to incorporate the individual names of All 4 viewers into the audio of their adverts for the first time.

Using first party data from Channel 4’s 15 million strong registered viewer database, launch partners Foster’s, 20th Century Fox and Ronseal are first to take advantage of this pioneering innovation with audio personalised, targeted digital campaigns launching on All 4 this month.

As part of 20th Century Fox’s marketing campaign promoting the UK cinema release of Alien Covenant in cinemas 12th May, All 4 viewers will see an exhilarating clip from the film enhanced by a personalised message; Foster’s will be sharing a pint with viewers whose names will prefix the line “…this one’s for you”; whilst Ronseal hopes that by getting personal they will motivate viewers to get on with their DIY.

Alongside Foster’s’, 20th Century Fox’s and Ronseal’s media agencies Mediavest | Spark; Mindshare and MediaCom Manchester, the ideas were developed through 4Sales’ creative approach PL4Y – both a culture and practice through which briefs are interrogated more ruthlessly in order to identify the best possible way Channel 4 can add value to a brand.

David Amodio, Channel 4’s Digital and Creative Leader said: “Following the success of the multiple brands taking advantage of our Ad 4 You format, we’re now incredibly excited to offer the market something completely ground breaking. The most attention grabbing word for anyone to hear is without doubt one’s own name, so to be able to offer advertisers the chance to speak directly to our millions of viewers is not just unique, but an immensely powerful marketing tool which adds even more value to All 4’s increasingly personalised experience.”

Ifeoma Dozie, brand director at Foster’s owners HEINEKEN said: “Enjoying a beer with mates is one of the most sociable things we can all do. This ground-breaking technology means that the majority of people will get a personalised ad, it’s like a digital ‘cheers!’”

Chris Green, Marketing Director, 20th Century Fox said: “We are delighted to be working with Channel 4 and to be the first to use this new technology. Alien promises to be the most terrifying and exciting movie event of the year. The audio personalisation complements and enhances the alien footage perfectly.”

Ronseal’s ad ties into a new integrated campaign devised by BJL, which goes live on the 28th April. James Smith, Ronseal’s Marketing Director, said: “This new technology provides us with the ideal platform to get personal so we can motivate people to finally get on with their DIY. We’re excited to be one of the first to use Channel 4’s audio personalisation as part of our new campaign and this is another example of why they continue to be the perfect partner for us.”

Developed by video technology partners Innovid, Audio Personalisation is the latest addition to 4Sales’ market leading suite of interactive Video ad formats including Ad Spot; Ad Pause; Ad Bloom; Ad Elect; Ad Extend; Ad Frame; Ad Link; Ad Shop; Ad Journey and Ad 4 You.

Matt Colebourne, Managing Director, Innovid EMEA said “Video Marketing is our sole business so we continue to push the boundaries of what is possible in the medium. Channel 4 are one of our most innovative partners globally and we look forward to the success of audio personalisation and to the next eyecatching solution we will build together.”

4 Sales were behind the world’s first visually personalised TV campaigns with Coca-Cola and Burberry in 2015 which saw viewers’ individual names appear on bottles of Coca-Cola and Burberry perfume bottles.

Channel 4’s innovative digital strategy yields consistent revenue growth with digital revenues up +30% in 2015 and matched growth in 2016.

Notes to editors
About PL4Y:
PL4Y – where curiosity inspires great ideas

PL4Y is 4 Sales’ integrated creative approach; both a culture and practice that encourage curiosity and courage in ideas. Through the practice of PL4Y briefs are interrogated more ruthlessly to define the real challenge and identify the best possible way Channel 4 can add value to a brand.

At the heart of PL4Y is collaboration, working with agencies and clients as early as possible to look at what can be done differently, using a raft of techniques, tools and games to power fresh and bold thinking. This is underpinned by a workshop culture that is planned and executed in the PL4Y house – 4Sales’ dedicated creative space in central London where agencies and clients have full access to all of PL4Y’s resources.

PL4Y takes inspiration from anywhere, looking outside of the traditional broadcast sphere and forging partnerships that can drive even better creative ideas that deliver results.

https://www.4sales.com/ (opens in a new window)

About Innovid:
Innovid is the world’s leading video marketing platform, empowering advertisers to engage consumers across all screens and channels with more effective video creative, improved campaign performance, and video integrated throughout the customer journey. Providing a holistic, cross-device, data-driven solution that is purpose-built for video to meet the demands of audience fragmentation, Innovid’s patented, best-in-market technology and advanced measurement capabilities allow marketers to thrive in an ever-changing digital television landscape and engage viewers at scale via richly personalized creative and immersive, interactive storytelling. Innovid powers cross-channel video marketing efforts for some of the largest brands in over 28 countries including Bank of America, Best Buy, Citi, Comcast, Kraft, L’Oréal, Microsoft, P&G, Walmart, Samsung, Sprint, and Toyota.

Headquartered in New York City, Innovid also has offices in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Detroit, London, Sydney, and Tel Aviv. Innovid is backed by investors Sequoia Capital, Genesis Partners, T-Venture, Vintage Investment Partners, Cisco Investments, and NewSpring Capital. Innovid’s numerous awards include IAB Mixx Awards, Digiday Video Awards, Inc. Magazine’s Top 50 Best Places To Work, AdAge Best Places to Work, and Crain's Best Places To Work. For more information, please visit www.innovid.com(opens in a new window).