WPP’s Motion Entertainment works with AFL in first local production
WPP Media’s content and production division Motion Entertainment, led by Lisa Squillace, has unveiled its first local production, in partnership with Foxtel and the AFL.
“Footy Shorts” is a weekly show designed to “engage the next generation” of footy fans. Targeted at Aussies 5-15, it hopes to bridge the gap between broadcast and creator culture.
Episodes feature appearances from current players such as Patrick Dangerfield, Jeremy Cameron, and Nick and Josh Daicos, as well as footy legends Eddie Betts and Brad Johnson. Content creators include Marmalade, Baseline Footy, Caden MacDonald, Ball Magnets, Cooper Hamilton, and Jarra Davis.
Cooper Hamilton and Jack Riewoldt
Motion Entertainment worked closely with Fox Sports on the series, after identifying the need to capture younger audiences in a safe environment.
“‘Footy Shorts’ is an exciting new chapter for Fox Footy, giving us the opportunity to connect with the next generation of fans in a way we never have before,” Michael Neill, Fox Footy’s general manager, said in the release.
Fully supported by the AFL, the show will air new episodes on Thursday afternoons, with re-runs on Friday afternoons and Saturday mornings.
The series will run across Kayo Sports’ Youtube channel, as well as on Kayo Sports and Foxtel. Segments have also been designed for social-first consumption, including for Youtube Shorts, Tiktok, and Instagram.
According to a release, the format offers advertisers the “opportunity to speak to families in a brand safe environment and to align with some of Australia biggest sporting heroes”.
Eddie Betts
It marks Motion Entertainment’s first local production since launching in January. The Australian team is led by industry figure Lisa Squillace, who joined late last year.
Motion Entertainment launched in ANZ with the stated aim of providing a pathway for media partners, creatives, executive producers, and brands to work more closely to deliver premium content.
Prior to joining WPP, Squillace was national sales director at Network Ten and Paramount, where for four years she led the national sales all screens team and was responsible for ad revenue across Network Ten, 10 Play, and Paramount+.
Squillace said she loved bringing this show to life: “As Motion Entertainment’s first new format production in Australia, ‘Footy Shorts’ demonstrates how WPP Media is investing and co-creating content to deliver premium content for local audiences.
“This highlights our commitment to working closely with broadcasters and platforms to create premium content that audiences and advertisers can authentically connect with.”
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Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the agency beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
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topics
AFL
Footy Shorts
Fox Footy
Foxtel
Lisa Squillace
Michael Neill
Motion Entertainment
production
WPP
WPP Media
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