Allianz is introducing its first campaign as a worldwide sponsor of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Launching today on June 23rd (Olympic Day and 30-day countdown to Tokyo 2020), the new program is designed to provide more confidence and offer mental health support to the Olympic & Paralympic families.
The past year took a heavy toll on the mental health of athletes everywhere as they experienced competition delays, isolation from family and friends, injuries and career uncertainty.
The centerpiece of the campaign is the Allianz Support Dog Squad, created with our friends at BBDO. In association with non-profit organizations Love on 4 Paws and Little Angels, Allianz will provide a squad of 50+ trained emotional support dogs to international skateboarders training in Los Angeles as they prepare for their Olympic debut as well as other upcoming international competitions.
Over the course of multiple sessions and weeks, these skateboarders will participate in interactive sessions with emotional support dogs designed to enhance their mental health by reducing stress and anxiety, easing loneliness and increasing optimism, and elevating their overall self-esteem before they compete. Watch below:
RELATED: Ataboy: Celebrates dance with videos for Art Cake
“We know that training and competing at the highest levels can take a toll on the mental health of athletes, especially after experiencing so much uncertainty over the past year,” said Hector Muelas, Global Chief Brand Officer of Allianz SE. “We’re proud to commemorate Olympic Day by not only creating tailored programs that address the unique challenges facing Olympians, Paralympians and the wider athlete community but also using this moment as an important inflection point to raise more awareness for mental health support.”
Olympic Efforts
Four-time Olympian, mental health advocate and passionate dog owner, Lindsey Vonn, has also teamed up with Allianz as a global ambassador to shine a spotlight on mental health and share her own experiences and advice as well as Allianz resources with Leticia and Dashawn that will help build their confidence.
“I know first-hand the challenges that athletes face when it comes to preparing and training for one of the biggest moments of your life. I’ve also seen how uplifting and supportive it can be to have a team behind you – whether that’s an emotional support animal, family or friends or trained professionals – to help build up your confidence and create a positive state of mind for those moments when you win or even come up short.” said Olympic gold medalist and alpine ski champion Lindsey Vonn. “I’m honored to partner with Allianz to help raise awareness for mental health and to share my experiences with other athletes preparing for the Olympic and Paralympic Games and other international competitions.”
On July 8, Allianz will release a documentary film exploring Leticia Bufoni (Brazil) and Dashawn Jordan’s (U.S.) journey to compete at the world’s biggest events, how they’ve approached managing stress and pressure tied to big moments and their experience with the Allianz Support Dog Squad.
Australian track and field Paralympian Vanessa Low will also share her unique story across social media about training her dog as an emotional support companion to help combat loneliness as she trained to become a two-time Paralympic medalist.
Fans can visit www.Confidence.Allianz.com to watch Leticia and Dashawn’s journey, their experience with the Allianz Support Dog Squad as well as access information and resources to support their own mental health.
CREDITS:
CLIENT: Allianz
Global Chief Brand Officer of Allianz SE: Hector Muelas
AGENCY: BBDO New York
- Chief Creative Officer, Worldwide: David Lubars
- Executive Creative Director: Betsy Decker
- Executive Creative Director: Marco Cignini
- Head of Content Operations: Andrew Osborne
- Executive Producer: Carole McCarty
- Designer: Ray McGale
- SVP Senior Director: Lindsey Cash
- Account Director: Nathan King
- Chief Strategy Officer: Andrea Ring
- VP Strategy Director: Philip De Meulemeester
- SVP, Director of Production Services: Jessica Nugent
- Business Manager: Grace Kelly
PR AGENCY: FleishmanHillard
- Senior Vice President & Partner: Steve Hickok
- Vice President: Pritni Sandhu
- Account Supervisor: Micaela Benedetti
SPORTS MARKETING AGENCY: GMR
- Vice President: Jeff Handler
- Client Services Director: Alexa Sunderland
- Account Executive: Tatum Cornelius
MEDIA AGENCY: OMD
- Chief Strategy Officer: Rene Coiffard
- Senior Executive Activation Digital: Eleni Pantelidou
PRODUCTION COMPANY: The Reserve Label
- Director: Jacob Rosenberg
- Executive Producer: Ryan Slavin
- Executive Producer: Jay Pollak
- Producer: Jay Kelman
- DP: Mike Reyes
EDIT: Final Cut & The Reserve Label
- Executive Producer: Sarah Roebuck
- Executive Producer: Ryan Slavin
- Executive Producer: Jay Pollak
- Producer: Peter Walker
- Editor: Chris Amos
TELECINE: Forager TV
Colorist: Jacob McKee
CONFORM/FINISH: The Reserve Label
- Executive Producer: Ryan Slavin
- Executive Producer: Jay Pollak
- Online Editor: Kate D’Angelo
- Composite: Roberto Campos
MUSIC: Asche & Spencer
- Executive Producer: Matt Locher
- Creative Director: Thad Spencer
AUDIO POST: The Reserve Label
- Executive Producer: Ryan Slavin
- Executive Producer: Jay Pollak
- Sound Design / Mix: Juan Borda
Dog Organization: Little Angels Service Dogs
- Executive Director: Josh Drew
- Training Manager: Jen Bohan
- Meet the dog: Nellie
Dog Organization: Love On 4 paws
President: Suni Cookson
Meet the Dog Teams: Tina & Nusta / Haydee, Bear / Terry, Samantha / William, JD / Pamela, Trip / Pam, Gracie / Rachel, Suede / Joe, Valentina & Windy / Terri, Haze / Michael, Sequoia / Lynne, Jackson / Mimi, Ronan / Jorja, Thomas / Lori, Apple / Diane, Maya / Deborah, Theo / Tina, Lilly / Raylene, Bosco / Shlomo
