Shorts Series Commissioned By Channel 4

A new advertiser-funded Shorts series, named What Not To Do, has been commissioned by Channel 4, in partnership with Scope.

The 6 x 3 minute short form series will feature Alex Brooker, the disability charity's ambassador, and will be available to view in early August. Each episode sees Alex Brooker react to different scenarios via hidden camera set-ups exposing onlookers' awkwardness around disability.

For example, each episode will highlight how not to behave in situations including a blind date, a job interview and at the hairdressers. They will also represent real life situations based on research from Scope.

The series was commissioned by Channel 4 Shorts Commissioning Editor Isaac Densu and produced by comedy and entertainment production company 2LE Media.

The content will be available exclusively on All 4 for 30 days before being made available via Scope's social channels and website.

The partnership with Scope was negotiated by Channel 4's Sales' Adam Denton, Partnership Account Manager and Sarah Honeyball, Content Solutions Partnership Manager together with Andrew Gifford, Broadcast Sponsorship Manager at MediaCom, the Content and Connections agency.

Rob Ramsey, Partnerships Leader, Channel 4 said: "This exclusive Shorts partnership with Scope provides the charity with an exciting new way to engage viewers through premium, engaging content on All 4 and across Scope's own platforms."

Mark Atkinson, interim chief executive at disability charity Scope, added: "Scope research shows that two-thirds of people feel awkward around disability. This is because not enough people know or interact with disabled people.

"The adverts that launched Scope's End the Awkward campaign in 2014, fronted by Alex Brooker, showed a series of awkward scenarios viewers may encounter with a disabled person. For our partnership with Channel 4 this year, we wanted the short films to take awkwardness to the next level.

"Our campaign uses humour so that we can raise the issue in a light-hearted way, because it isn't about pointing fingers. We hope the shorts will start conversations about disability and get us all thinking about what we can do to include disabled people more in our lives."

Isaac Densu, Shorts Commissioning Editor, Channel 4, commented: "These entertaining and fun Shorts fit perfectly with Channel 4's ongoing mission to change perceptions around disability and will have viewers squirming in their seats along with Alex Brooker."

www.channel4.com

(JP)