Football Australia and Ogilvy Launch AI-Driven ‘Dream Team’ Podcast to Inspire Young Fans During Matildas’ Paris 2024 Campaign

Football Australia has teamed up with Ogilvy to introduce the “Dream Team,” an imaginative podcast series inspired by AI and Children’s Books. This series aims to narrate the captivating story of the Matildas’ Paris 2024™ campaign, leveraging the Olympic Games’ excitement to drive football’s popularity and involvement among the upcoming generation.

The Matildas are set to kick off their Paris 2024™ Olympic Games journey on July 25th against the German team, who rank number four globally, at 3:00 am AEST.

Notably, all three of Australia’s group stage matches in the Games are scheduled for 3:00 am AEST kick-offs, posing a challenge for young fans, whether new or long-time supporters, to root for the Matildas during those early hours.

Nevertheless, through the Dream Team Storytime series, fans of all ages will have the opportunity to tune in to Matildas’ captain, Steph Catley, recount the match’s tale as they dream away in their beds, thanks to the magic of AI.

After each Australian match, Football Australia will unveil a new story narrated in Catley’s own voice, complemented by concise, animated clips aiding in storytelling.

CEO of Football Australia, James Johnson, expressed, “The Dream Team series stands as a pioneering endeavour that highlights our dedication to engaging with the next wave of football enthusiasts. By fusing the thrill of the Matildas’ Olympic expedition with the enchantment of storytelling, we aspire to ignite dreams and foster involvement in the wonderful world of football among young Australians.

“We are mindful of the early match times posing a challenge, but through the Dream Team series, young fans can relive the excitement of the Matildas’ matches at their convenience. This innovative approach allows us to bring the Olympic Games’ excitement and joy into households across Australia, ensuring that everyone can partake in the action.

“The collaboration with Ogilvy on this venture has been a remarkable journey. The fusion of their creative flair with our mutual love for football has culminated in a series that is not just entertaining but also enlightening. We trust that this partnership will leave a lasting imprint on the sport and cultivate a lasting passion for football among young Australians,” Johnson emphasised.

Every Dream Team story will be crafted in real-time during and immediately after the match, with each episode released later the same day. Football Australia is thrilled to collaborate with Hillary Badger on the Dream Team project, a seasoned author of over 20 books for young readers and the Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy Melbourne.

Badger elaborated, “The Matildas hold a special place as Australia’s most adored sporting team, leaving an indelible impact culturally during the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup™. Football Australia and Ogilvy encapsulated the team’s unwavering spirit with the ‘Til It’s Done’ campaign, which the entire nation embraced. The Matildas truly embody a celebration of women’s sports achievements that were long overdue.

“Sustaining that limelight during one of the grandest sporting events is crucial to inspiring the next generation to embrace sports. With the Matildas’ matches in France kicking off at 3 am Australian Eastern Standard Time, it surpasses the bedtime of the enthusiasts they aim to motivate.

“The Dream Team series rises to this creative challenge. Matildas’ games will be transcribed into children’s narratives, readily available for download and listening mere hours after each match concludes. Children can now seize the inspiration that the Matildas will radiate throughout their Paris campaign,” she contended.

As part of the Dream Team project, Ogilvy spearheads the creative concept, illustration, writing, AI development, and asset deployment.

Subscribe to the Dream Team podcast on Spotify or YouTube.