Allianz, Worldwide Insurance Partner of the Olympic & Paralympic Movements, celebrated Olympic Day by launching global programs designed to provide more confidence and mental health support to members of the Olympic and Paralympic Family.
Currently, the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be held under unprecedented conditions and tight quarantine rules to prevent the spread of COVID-19 infections.
As more and more reports of outbreaks have been reported among athletes, stress is setting in on the athletes currently preparing for competition.
From access to a squad of emotional support dogs to an interactive mentoring and skill development program to prepare for life after the competition, Allianz has committed to supporting Olympic & Paralympic athletes when and where they need it most.
“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.”
Today, Allianz shared a teaser video introducing viewers to Leticia and Dashawn, the mental health challenges that professional athletes face and their first meeting with the Allianz Support Dog Squad. Watch the announcement video created by BBDO below:
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Allianz Support Dog Squad
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. To provide an extra boost to world-class athletes along their journey, Allianz is introducing a new initiative called the Allianz Support Dog Squad.
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 – including Leticia Bufoni (Brazil) and Dashawn Jordan (U.S.).
Over the course of multiple sessions and weeks, Leticia, Dashawn and other attending skateboarders will participate in interactive sessions with emotional support dogs that are 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.
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.” noted 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,” she added.
Ahead of the Games, Allianz will release a documentary film that explores Leticia and Dashawn’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.
Allianz Buddy Program
Allianz also kicked off an interactive mentoring and skill development program for more than 40 athletes spanning the Olympic & Paralympic Family to help prepare them for life after competition.
Athletes will be teamed up with Allianz employees across 15 countries for six months and will participate in ongoing training and information exchange sessions covering topics such as mental health, prioritization & time management, physical health, mindset, teamwork and motivation.
Participating athletes include active and retired Olympians and Paralympians as well as Olympic and Paralympic hopefuls.
Allianz officially began its eight-year worldwide partnership as the Worldwide Insurance Partner of the Olympic & Paralympic Movements on January 1, 2021, building on a collaboration with the Paralympic Movement since 2006.
CREDITS:
CLIENT: Allianz
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/FINISHING: 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: 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
