Allianz Australia has unveiled a new campaign via Howatson+Company, telling the comeback story of Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer ahead of this year’s major international women’s football tournament hosted by Australia.
As the Official Insurance Partner of Football Australia, Allianz has positioned the campaign within its broader brand platform, ‘Care you can count on’.
A comeback told through metaphor
Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Michael Gracey (FINCH) and set to Sia’s ‘Unstoppable’, the film, titled ‘Adrift’, follows Sayer’s return to the national team after an ACL injury kept her sidelined for 457 days.
Using the metaphor of being adrift at sea, the film reflects the isolation and uncertainty of injury recovery, before charting Sayer’s resilience and return to the pitch.
Laura Halbert, CMO Allianz Australia, said the campaign connects the athlete’s journey with the brand’s broader positioning.
“Australians are known for their resilience, whether it’s overcoming career-threatening injuries or facing unexpected events like severe weather.
“This campaign builds on our brand platform, ‘Care you can count on,’ by celebrating strength, determination, and the idea that ‘care never gives up’, just as Allianz is there to support our customers when they need us,” Halbert said.
Care as a lifeline
Gavin Chimes, CCO at Howatson+Company, said the story was rooted in the emotional gap between setback and recovery.
“No one plans for the moment that stops everything. For Amy, hundreds of days separated who she was from who she could become again.
“That’s why Allianz tells this story – because in those dark moments between loss and recovery, care is more than a promise, it’s a lifeline. And by never giving up on it, true greatness can be achieved. Michael Gracey understood this perfectly.
“It was a privilege having him and his team bring our script to life,” Chimes said.
The film was captured in a real water tank using practical sets, then enhanced with CGI by visual effects studio ALT VFX.
The campaign is rolling out across cinema, BVOD, YouTube, outdoor, digital and social channels.
CREDITS
Client: Allianz Australia
CMO, General Manager, Customer Strategy and Marketing: Laura Halbert
Head of Brand & Sponsorships: Gemma Cadwallader
Manager, Brand & Sponsorship: Charles Todhunter
Senior Specialist Media: Katrina Lochens
Senior Manager, Brand & Media: Elle Sproll
Managing Senior Legal Counsel: Sonja Nanevski
Senior Compliance Manager: Audry Concisom
Creative Agency: Howatson+Company
Chief Executive Officer + Founder: Chris Howatson
Group Managing Director: Renée Hyde
Client Partner: Fleur Lancaster
Senior Business Director: Brynee Roche
Chief Creative Officer: Gavin Chimes
Group Creative Director: Simon Friedlander
Senior Creative (copywriter): Charlotte Berry
Senior Creative (art director) Tom Macphail
Chief Design Officer: Ellena Mills
Head of Design: Trent Michael
Design Lead: Shelby Lane-Brown
Senior Designer: Cory Lo
Studio Lead: Simon Merrifield
Finished Artist: Patrick Riveria
Head of Production: Holly Alexander
Senior Producer: Caitlin Perz
Head of Post Production: King Yong
Senior Lead, Sound and Music: Shane Vancuylenberg
Mark Broome: Senior Editor
Production: FINCH Company
Director: Michael Gracey
Executive Producer/MD: Corey Esse
Executive Producer: Martin Box
Producer: Viv Jaspers
Production Manager: Daisy Bray
Production Coordinator: Sarah Marcuson
Casting: Stevie McGregor Casting
DP: Matt Toll
1st AD: David Lethem
Production Design: Loretta Cosgrove
Stylist: Janai Anselmi
Editor: Patrick Correll
VFX & Postproduction: Alt.vfx
VFX Supervisor: Dave Edwards
Producer: Carly Rosenberg
Colourist: Ferg Rotherham
Music Supervision: Anton Trailer at Trailer Media
Sound House: Rumble Studios
Lead Sound Designer: Tone Aston
Sound Designer: Dexter Cave
Executive Producer: Michael Gie
VFX Face Replacements: Rising Sun
VFX Face Replacements EP: Ian Cope
Media Agency: Wavemaker
Managing Director: Ian Edwards
Client Partner: Michael Talbot
Group Client Director: Thomas Grainger
Implementation & Activation Group Director: Tia McCann
Implementation & Activation Director: Laura Castro
Implementation & Activation Manager: Emily Kotevski
Strategy Director: Summer Treseder
Top Image: Howatson+Company