News

App appointed host broadcaster for clipper 07-08

18 July 2007

Clipper Ventures has selected APP to produce the television content for the Clipper 07-08 Race, a ten-part series of half-hour programmes, which will be distributed worldwide by the sports marketing agency Global Sportnet, along with the production and international distribution of video news releases. The ten-part series will capture the highs and lows of ocean racing experienced by the international crew that come from all walks of life. They will use a combination of footage shot by onboard cameramen, crew and in-port teams to bring home the challenges faced by the non-professional crew as they race 35,000 miles around the globe.

APP Broadcast has a proven track record as a major event host broadcaster. APP’s impressive portfolio includes the production and distribution of the monthly sailing magazine Seamaster Sailing, aired in 140 countries, as well as television production responsibility for international sailing events and teams worldwide, including Ellen MacArthur’s campaigns. APP was the host broadcaster for Clipper Ventures solo round the world event, the VELUX 5 OCEANS race in which Clipper Chairman Sir Robin Knox-Johnston recently completed his second solo challenge to circumnavigate the globe. Ocean! is the APP-produced 12-part series on the race which is being transmitted globally including a weekly slot on the UK’s terrestrial broadcaster Channel 4.

Clipper Sponsorship and Media Director David Stubley is confident that the APP-produced series will deliver significant media value to all the Clipper Race Sponsors:

“APP has proved to be a fantastic broadcast partner for us on our other event the VELUX 5 OCEANS. Our approach of producing documentary style programming has widened the interest in sailing content and reached whole new audiences. The city vs. city format of the Clipper Race and amazing cross section of people involved in the race presents us again with a rich story telling platform. The last Clipper Race delivered £20.8m in TV exposure for our sponsors and this time around with the award-winning APP handling production and the international firepower of Global Sportnet managing distribution, we have no doubt we will build considerably on this achievement.”

The Clipper 07-08 series produced by APP will cover all aspects of the race beginning with the training and race preparation of the crew, 40 percent of whom have never sailed before signing up to do the race. The onboard cameras will then capture race footage including the thrills of surfing down massive waves in the Southern Ocean and the frustrations of the Doldrums. The excitement surrounding race starts and podium place finishes will be caught by the in-port teams and all the footage will be cut together to produce a captivating race series.

Joint Managing Director of APP Richard Simmonds commented on their appointment as Clipper 07-08 host broadcaster.

“The Clipper Race offers a unique opportunity to develop the observational documentary style of programming that proved so successful with the VELUX 5 OCEANS. We are excited about the opportunities for characterisation that we believe will be a major platform for the distribution team.”

APP will work closely with Clipper and the sponsors of the Clipper 07-08 Round the World Yacht Race to deliver insight into the unique nature of the race; with more nations represented than in other world yacht races; dramatic stories; exciting stopovers in international ports; and, ordinary people doing extraordinary things.

Visit Clipper Round The World Yacht Race for more exciting updates.