• Ireland’s youngest ever Paralympic athlete Ellen Keane’s moment of courage re-created in Allianz Ireland’s latest commercial
  
• Due to a missing lower left arm, Ellen suffered insecurities in early life, which was later defined by the moment she was courageous enough to wear short sleeves
  
• Ellen has competed in three Paralympic Games (Beijing 2008, London 2012 & Rio 2016) and won a Gold medal in the Allianz European Para Championships (Dublin 2018)
  
• Commercial to air on TV and digital on 3rd April and can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z08QkzRHH8o&feature=youtu.be

Dublin, April 3rd 2019: Allianz Ireland today unveiled the latest chapter of its new multi-million campaign that recognises moments of courage that have defined the lives of individuals and, in turn, inspired Irish society.

Ellen Keane, Ireland’s youngest ever Paralympic athlete, stars in the newest edition of the multi-platform campaign, We Cover Courage, which will air on TV and digital from 3rd April 2019.

Ellen Keane, Paralympian recreates her moment of courage for Allianz Ireland

Born missing the lower part of her left arm, Ellen suffered insecurities as a child, preferring to wear long sleeves to conceal her impairment rather than suffer the looks of those who thought her different. It wasn’t until Ellen’s mid-teens that she found the courage to wear short sleeves and to face the world with full confidence. It is this very personal story that the Allianz We cover Courage advertisement features.

Over the course of her career as a sportswoman, Ellen has worked hard, has achieved, and has inspired. “Sometimes I meet girls or boys with one arm or any other disability, and they thank me. It’s nice to know it’s making a difference.”

Swimming is Ellen’s passion. With the support of her family, Ellen discovered a love of swimming at an early age. Having competed in the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008 and placing 6th in the final of the 100m breaststroke, Ellen returned to Ireland buoyed by a new-found sense of confidence.

There was a magical moment when shooting the advert in Dublin, when Ellen and the young girl playing her younger self, Tate Willis, met for the first time. This was a significant moment for the young actor who was also born missing the lower part of her left arm. At an age when most young people are just trying to fit in, having one arm makes that even more of a challenge. This girl was facing her own challenges in living with one arm and for her to meet Ellen, who had achieved so much, offered her a role model.

Allianz in Ireland is a longstanding supporter of Paralympics Ireland and their parent company, Allianz SE is a global sponsor of the International Paralympic Committee.

The full 40 second commercial can be viewed by clicking here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z08QkzRHH8o&feature=youtu.be

“I became so insecure about my arm because there was nobody in the media like me. There was nobody for me to relate to. I would like to go into media because I want to be seen.” said Paralympian Ellen Keane. “Sometimes I meet girls or boys with one arm or another disability, and they thank me. It’s nice to know I’m making a difference.” Ellen’s full story can be read here: https://www.allianz.ie/blog/paralympian-ellen-keane-talks-courage.html

“In this latest chapter of our We Cover Courage campaign we step change from Donogh O’Malley to Ellen Keane, an icon for elite disability sport,” said Robert McEvoy, Head of Market Management, Allianz Ireland. “Ellen’s work ethic, belief in her abilities and confidence beyond her years have seen her transcend Paralympic sport to become a household name and role model to young boys and girls in Ireland and abroad.”

CREDITS

Client – Allianz Ireland
Rob McEvoy – Head of Market Management
Damien O’Neill – Head of Marketing Operations
Joseph Campbell – Marketing Executive
Niamh Ryan – Marketing Executive

Creative Agency – In the Company of Huskies
Damian Hanley – Creative Director
Greg McLoughlinn – Copywriter
Sarah Deeny – Business Director
Brian Daly – Head of Production

Production Co – Pull the Trigger
Director: Richie Smith
Executive Producer: Maxine Brady
Producer: Grainne Tiernan
Post Production – Screenscene
Editor: Juniper Calder
Sound: Will Farrell
Grade: Donal O’Kane
Compositing: Gavin Casey
Post Producer: Peter Greene

Post Production – Screenscene
Editor: Juniper Calder
Sound: Will Farrell
Grade: Donal O’Kane
Compositing: Gavin Casey
Post Producer: Peter Greene

Photography
Neil MacDougald Photography

Ends

Notes to editors
Press contact
Cyril Moloney, Teneo
Phone: 0860479462
Email: allianz@teneo.com

About Allianz Ireland
Allianz is one of Ireland’s largest multi-line general insurance companies with an annual turnover in excess of €450m. Allianz Group in Ireland employs over 1,450 people and is trusted by close to a million customers as their business or personal insurer. Allianz is also part of the Allianz SE Group – one of the world’s leading integrated financial services providers, which employs over 148,000 people in more than 70 countries serving the needs of 83 million customers worldwide.