Channel 4 to air Pride in London's first ever TV adverts

Channel 4 will air Pride in London’s first ever television adverts which will mark 50 years since Parliament first voted to start legalising homosexuality.

The four powerful films (see links below) will be shown during a special season of programmes on Channel 4 which marks the anniversary of the the Sexual Offences Act 1967 – the first piece of legislation which partially decriminalised homosexuality.

The 30” films tell the stories of four characters each contemplating the loss of a relationship with a loved one which has come about because they wouldn’t accept them for who they are. A special 60” version(opens in a new window) of the four adverts tells the story of all four characters and a 90” version will run across cinema during the campaign period.

The adverts have come about thanks to an exclusive partnership between Pride for London and Channel 4. The films will air on Channel 4 and More 4 from 24 June to 9 July in the run up to pride season which reaches its climax on 8 July with pride marches taking place across the UK. The films were created by advertising agency WRCS for Pride in London.

In addition to the Pride adverts, Channel 4’s iconic blocks will be reversioned into rainbow colours to reflect the LGBT+ flag.

On 8th July, the day of the Pride in London parade, more than 50 special guests and supporters of LGBT+ community will take over all continuity announcements on all of the broadcaster’s channels, including Channel 4, All 4 and More 4. Guest continuity announcers include Ollie Locke, Stephen K Amos and Asifa Lahore.

Channel 4 Sales Director Jonathan Allan said: “Diversity is at the heart of everything we do at Channel 4 so we’re delighted to host these powerful films which deliver such an important and moving message during this special season of content.”

Iain Walters from Pride in London said: “Partnering with Channel 4 for this LGBT+ season is an incredible opportunity to showcase the diversity of our community. We have come a long way in 50 years, yet we face daily reminders that the global battle for true equality is far from over, and rights hard won can be threatened, attacked and taken away. Standing together with Channel 4, we will send a powerful and positive symbol of acceptance, support and friendship.”

Iain added: “These films are a perfect fit to go out on Channel 4, a broadcaster with a long heritage of promoting diversity and championing voices that all too often don’t get the platforms they need and deserve.”

Jonni Learoyd, Chair of 4Pride at Channel 4, said: “Channel 4 is thrilled to support this fantastic partnership which will send a positive and inclusive message of love and acceptance from across the UK. Channel 4 is proud to reflect its incredible and diverse audience, and this partnership, together with our season of LGBT+ programming, will continue to educate, inspire and engage. Love Happens Here.”

Ross Neil, Executive Creative Director at WCRS, said: “It’s difficult to fully appreciate the amount of love and pride that has gone into this campaign until you see the list of credits of all those who gave their time and talents to make this happen. This is a campaign that started from a negative place of hatred and has blossomed into a full technicolour, full volume, inclusive expression of love. The greatness of the creative is matched only by the sheer scale of companies and individuals.”

Fred Scott, Director at Pulse Films which produced the films, said: “It was a true honour to get this opportunity to collaborate on these films, particularly at this time. They feel pertinent and important. For now we strive and hope for an increase in acceptance, equality and understanding - three values that these films frame with a very genuine sense of care and hope.

Join Channel 4 and Pride in London to celebrate love in all its forms, and be part of a movement that symbolises everything rich, colourful, vibrant and courageous in the LGBT+ community.

Ends

PR Contact at Channel 4: Tim English tenglish@channel4.co.uk
PR Contact at Pride in London: Andrew Francis andrewfrancis@prideinlondon.org

About Pride in London 

Pride in London is one of London’s largest free events. The Pride in London Festival will take place between 24 June to 9 July, and will showcase some of the most inspiring talents and celebrates diversity in the LGBT+ community, including theatre, dance, talks and conferences, LGBT+ tours, art and much more. The Pride in London parade will take place on Saturday 8 July.

The Love Happens Here campaign was created by advertising agency WCRS. Pride in London is grateful to WCRS for their generous support in creating the campaign, and to all our media partners who help us spread the message that Love Happens Here. We couldn't do it without them.

For more information about Pride in London 2017 go to http://prideinlondon.org (opens in a new window)


Film credits

Client: Pride In London
Agency: WCRS
Executive Creative Director: Ross Neil
Creative Directors: Orlando Warner, Joe Miller
Creatives: Tian Murphy, Charlie Gee (TV)
Agency Producer: Kaiya Taffel
Account Handling: Emma Marsland, Alexandra Gluck, Charlie Harrington
Planning: Matt Rhodes, Stuart Williams, Gemma Glover, Megan Atherton, Jack Cartwright
Media Agency: Jon Everare @ Pride in London
Production Company: Pulse Films
Director: Fred Scott
Producer: Chris Harrison
Executive Producers: James Sorton, Jamie Walker
DOP: Jamie Feliu Torres
Production Designer: Anna Rhodes
Casting: Kharmel Cochrane Casting
Costume Designer: Mr Gammon & Lisa Nicolaou
Editor: Kevin Palmer @ Ten Three, Ed Hoadley @ Ten Three 
Sound Design: Aaron Taffel @ Grand Central Sound Studios
Post-Production: Oisin O’Driscoll (Colourist @ The Mill), Tim Gaydon (Flame @Creative Outpost), Caroline McNulty (Post Producer @ Creative Outpost)

Cast: 

Dad: Steffan Rhodri
Mum: Muna Otaru
Bi Friend: Abigail Finley
Trans Friend: Stevie Basaula

June 22, 2017 7:01am ET by Channel 4  

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