TVREAL
Channel 4 has partnered with the U.K.’s Department of Education on branded entertainment for the third time, with Undercover Education set to premiere later this year.
Presented by TV and radio presenter, screenwriter and children’s author Konnie Huq, the series sees skilled professionals from construction, motor mechanics and catering tasked with guiding an “intern,” who in actuality is an undercover further education teacher.
The intern is fed conversation starters by a team of students and Huq that highlight the professionals’ patience, creativity and value of their real-world industry experience, ultimately aiming to help the professionals realize they possess the ability to guide and inspire those entering the further education workforce.
This third partnership between Channel 4 and the Department of Education is produced by Zandland. It is made in partnership with MG OMD.
Undercover Education is set to air via Channel 4’s YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, as well as Channel 4 Streaming.
Channel 4 and the Department of Education previously worked together on How to Love Your Job with Anna Williamson (Celebs Go Dating) and Teachers on Tour.
“It was great to work with the participants in these three fields to see their knowledge and the power of mentorship, whilst, of course, a lot of fun coming up with the conversations and pranks carried out by the undercover interns,” Huq said.
“Undercover Education is a prank show with purpose, hosted by TV legend Konnie Huq–someone we’re incredibly excited to be working with,” commented Stephen Parnell, digital commissioning executive at Channel 4. “In this fun new format, we’ll be introduced to some truly brilliant contributors, in the form of our undercover further education teachers and the industry professionals that they’ll be pranking, from which we’ll spotlight new talent within different industries and hopefully inspire others. As well as this format highlighting the exciting editorial concepts that brands can take!”
Josh Reynolds, executive producer at Zandland, added, “Undercover Education has been such a fun and impactful series to have made in partnership with Channel 4 and the Department of Education as Zandland grows its branded content offering. We loved crafting this unique social experiment [and] orchestrating secret challenges that both entertain and deliver important messages about further education. We’re super proud of the final result and all of the amazing contributors who put up with our pranks—ultimately showing that so many people in the professional industries out there may have what it takes to step into the shoes of a further education teacher.”
“Partnering with Channel 4 and Department for Education has resulted in an excellent campaign—Undercover Education—which has been a joy to see come to life,” said Megan Verney, partnerships manager at MG OMD. “The series is such an impactful piece of content, done in a very engaging way but still incorporating the importance behind further education. We hope industry professionals will relate to the series and find encouragement to explore a career as a further education teacher.”
Rupinder Downie, content solutions leader at Channel 4, commented, “Undercover Education is an engaging, surprising and heartwarming branded-entertainment series that showcases the branded, creative approaches only Channel 4 Sales can offer our clients to meet individual campaign and departments briefs.”
