Paddy Power Games has returned to UK primetime audiences by sponsoring Channel 4’s hit TV series ‘First Dates’.
The new season of ‘First Dates’ aired on Monday, 7 April (10 pm), with its romantic rendezvous set in the new venue of ‘Café du Chance’, designed by Paddy Power.
First Dates airs its 23rd season as Channel 4’s reality dating show. As the sponsor, Paddy Power states: “Dating – like gaming – is full of moments where you wish you could have another chance, and the idents celebrate these iconic moments that make the ‘First Dates’ partnership a match made in heaven.”
Leah Spears, Head of Brand Strategy for Paddy Power, said: “First Dates and Paddy Power Games are the perfect match. It really is love at first sight! Just like in our games, you never know what might happen next, and that surprise and excitement is something we share with First Dates.”
The sponsorship of First Dates has been planned by BBH London, who have created a series of tongue-in-cheek spots to bring Paddy Power’s signature mischief “to the ultimate numbers game: finding love.”
Paddy Power’s ambassador, Peter Crouch, stars in the TV spots as a waiter, paying homage to the most awkward of dating moments, from cringe-filled bill paying to questionable table manners, all in the name of love.
First Dates sits at the heart of the Channel 4 schedule, and these idents will be shown during series bursts throughout the year across Channel 4 and E4, plus repeats and regular streaming.
BBH Creatives Chloe Neal and Ciara Boyle said: “Unfortunately, like many people, we’ve had our fair share of bad first dates. Fortunately, this made for some great source material when it came to creating Paddy Power’s ‘First Date’ idents.
Since Paddy Power gives you ‘another chance’ to win, we wanted to tap into all of those dating moments where you wish you could have another go. From super stingy dates to premature ‘I love you’s’, to mummy’s boys… we reckon Café du Chance has a little something everyone can relate to.”
