Tag: AFL

Australia – Colgate has been championing the importance of inclusivity through its ‘Smile Strong’ brand platform, and today, we see its ANZ team bringing a stride to this mission for the belonging of athletes. Previously, the brand has partnered with Australia’s football league, the AFL, and a new project has come to the fore that involves an innovative sports equipment prototype. 

Called the ‘Hear Gear’, Colgate and agency VMLY&R have tied up with sports equipment maker Steeden to develop a headgear that is suitable for deaf and hard-of-hearing athletes. Traditional headgear is designed to sit flush against the head to protect the wearer, but this would also mean that for a player donning a hearing implant, not being able to maximise such assistance as the standard headpiece also absorbs the vibrations that carry sound to it.

Ideated by VMLY&R and designed, tested, and built by Steeden, the creation of ‘Hear Gear’ aims to help to create a more equitable environment for hearing-impaired athletes. It uses a new mould with redesigned padding that both accommodates and channels sound to the hearing implant. The lines external to ‘Hear Gear’ represent the sound that is now being channelled towards the ear. 

Anthony Crewes, marketing director of Colgate-Palmolive ANZ, said the ‘Hear Gear’ project is a truly meaningful expression of its ‘Smile Strong’ platform. He shared that it is mainly inspired by QAFLW athlete Jamie Howell’s real-life experience as a hard-hearing sports player, which in turn, could have wide-reaching effects in the whole of Australia. 

“Now, we have moved from telling stories to actively creating them!” remarked Crewes. 

Back in September 2022, we hear Howell’s story for the first time under the ‘Smile Strong’ campaign. For the present project, Colgate has unveiled a short film that shows the amazing design of ‘Hear Gear’ and Howell trying it out for herself. 

Colgate has funded the first production run of ‘Hear Gear’ via Steeden, which is the sole owner of the design, in order for AFL players to start having a more fulfilling and comfortable experience on the playing field. 

“We are so fortunate to work with a brand that doesn’t just talk about optimism, they do things in the real world to create it,” said Paul Nagy, CCO of VMLY&R AUNZ. “It’s a connected brand really having a positive impact. Hear Gear is a simple tool that gives more Australians the ability to enjoy sport just like everybody else, and I’m proud to have been a part of it.” 

Melbourne, Australia – The Great Southern Bank (GSB)–in support of homeownership in Australia–has launched an outdoor campaign during the Australian Football League play-offs: a tiny home at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

The innovative fan space on the MCG’s Ponsford Stage is just one of the ways Great Southern Bank is dialling up its support for homeownership via the AFL, with a AU$50,000 cash giveaway also launching this weekend.

As part of the tiny house promotion, five lucky attendees at the Blues versus Hawks match this Sunday will be invited to select a key to try to open the tiny house front door, with the person whose key opens the door winning AU$5,000 at quarter time.

Megan Keleher, chief customer officer at Great Southern Bank, said, “Our tiny house is a brilliant place to watch the game, and something those lucky enough to experience will remember for the rest of their lives. Our aim is to help all Australians to own their own home and we know that many Australians, particularly younger Australians, are looking for alternative forms of housing. There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to the housing that suits different buyers’ budget, life stage, location or even space requirements.”

She added, “By putting a spotlight on one of the newest options – tiny houses – we hope to raise awareness of the need to look at our changing housing preferences as a nation and ensure that flows through to the ways in which people are able to finance those homes.”

As part of the campaign, Great Southern Bank is also launching a $50,000 competition to help a footy fan realise their dream of homeownership. To be in with a chance to win, entrants need only choose a ‘virtual’ seat at Marvel Stadium, and will take home the cash if their seat is chosen in the prize draw.

Keleher added, “House prices can be daunting but there’s a lot of help out there, including some valuable Government backed programs, that can help cut down substantially on the costs. We’ve even seen new buyers upgrade their ambitions, and buy bigger, more suitable homes thanks to these schemes. Saving for a deposit is one of the biggest challenges facing first time homebuyers, which is why we’ve also placed a significant focus on launching tools and savings accounts that help people to reach their goal sooner.”

The competition runs from 3 April to 15 May. Entry to the competition is free and open to all adult Australian residents through their competition page at greatsouthernbank.com.au/pickyourseat.

Sydney, Australia – Global live streaming platform Bigo Live’s new live stream event aims to engage football fans in Australia, and it has partnered with Australian Football League (AFL) talents Xavier Duursma and Cameron Zurhaar to conduct a Q&A session with fans.

To be streamed live on 27 and 28 of February, the live stream session aims to encourage Aussie football fans to be active and healthy during the global pandemic by unfolding and connecting the communities over the shared love for football.

During the session, the AFL players will answer the top 10 frequently asked questions to them and will share football players’ stories and talk about their daily lives as professional players.

On 27 February, Cam Zurhaar, who plays for North Melbourne Football Club, will go live streaming first from 8:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. AEDT. While on 28 February, Xavier Duursma, the wingman for Port Adelaide Football Club and 2019 rising star nominee, will go live from 8:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m AEDT.’

Bigo Live has been leveraging ANZ talents, such as Stan Walker, M4SONIC, Taylor Henderson, Dami Im, Erin Miranda, and many other artists, and is now looking forward to connecting to the rich sports culture in the region.