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15th February 2014, London, UK – Sky 1 HD today announces the commission of LAUNCHING PEOPLE (w/t) as part of Samsung’s ‘Launching People’ project.

Samsung is joining forces with the UK’s hottest talent to give people with a passion for food, film, music and photography, the opportunity of a lifetime. The ‘Launching People’ project will see pop-up chef and Sunday Times cook Gizzi Erskine, award-winning actor and producer Idris Elba, singer-songwriter Paloma Faith and portrait and fashion photographer Rankin, search for undiscovered British and Irish talent. They will act as mentors as they help food lovers, budding film makers, musical game changers and picture takers launch their brilliant ideas.

The mentors, together with Samsung will be looking to find people with extraordinary potential and original ideas. The chosen candidates will work with one of the four inspirational mentors to collaborate on a unique project. Their journey, from meeting the mentors to the launch of their project, will be captured in a television series, LAUNCHING PEOPLE (w/t), produced by Fresh One, part of the Jamie Oliver Media Group, for Sky 1 HD and will air in the spring.

So, if you’ve got a great idea and think you have what it takes to impress the talented panel of mentors, then pitch your project via www.launchingpeople.co.uk between now and Thursday 6 March 2014. Gizzi, Idris, Paloma and Rankin will each choose one person to work with one-on-one, helping to bring their ideas to life and launch their project.

Andy Griffiths, President, Samsung UK and Ireland, commented: “Everyone knows Samsung for launching products and every day we’re inspired by people who use those products to achieve amazing things. ‘Launching People’ is all about doing just that – launching people’s potential through technology, whatever their stage in life. We hope to give people with passion, ambition and a hungry mind, a launch pad for their bright ideas and change their lives in a positive way.”

Deborah Sargeant, commissioning editor for Sky added: “Here at Sky 1 we’re very proud of our big hearted, energetic shows for the whole family – Launching People (w/t) is another of those great shows. And, this spring Sky customers will be lucky enough to watch the most fascinating brains in the business, nurture and develop the skills of some of the UK and Ireland's most exciting untapped talents. We're delighted to be working with the world class mentors, Fresh One and Samsung to deliver this exciting series for Sky 1 HD.”

Each of the mentors will be looking for outstanding potential in the person and idea they choose to support;

Gizzi Erskine: “I want to see someone that has a serious passion for the industry – I want to understand their passion and be able to see and feel it. I want to show that you don’t have to be conventional to be successful. I’m looking for someone who’s happy to break the rules – and maybe teach me a thing or two along the way. The simple ideas can be the best. But a simple idea with a bit of glitter on it is far more exciting.”

Idris Elba: “I’m looking for someone that wants to tell a story and inspire others. They might have an idea that they’re not quite sure how to take to the next level. If I represent anything, it’s someone who dreamed big and achieved those dreams. If anyone out there has a similar aspiration, then I want to hear from them.”

Paloma Faith: “I’m really looking for something that we’ve not seen in a British artist before. What’s important to me is that the person has something innovative to offer, something that defies genre. I’m looking for outsiders. I love and relate to outsiders. The thought of finding someone like that excites me.”

Rankin: “I want to find someone that’s undiscovered. I’m looking for someone that’s got a vision, a creative eye who wants to make a career out of photography. I want to know what they do that’s different, that’s interesting and for them to show me an idea that is unique and has an original view of the world.”

Behind the camera Mark Sammon will executive produce for Fresh One and the series producer is Fresh One’s Genevieve Welch. Deborah Sargeant is the commissioning editor for Sky.

To apply, entrants need to make a two minute video pitch all about their idea and upload it to www.LaunchingPeople.co.uk. Submissions are open until Thursday 6 March and the final four will feature in LAUNCHING PEOPLE (w/t) on Sky 1 HD in spring this year. There will also be a ‘People’s Choice’ winner per category, voted for by the public on Facebook, who will receive Samsung products that will support them in pursuing their dreams. The ‘People’s Choice’ winners will be announced on Friday 7 March.

Notes to editor

For more information please contact:

Nicola Vincent

Sky Entertainment Press Office

+44 (0) 207 032 3078

nicola.vincent@bskyb.com

 
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.                                                                 

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. is a global leader in technology, opening new possibilities for people everywhere. Through relentless innovation and discovery, we are transforming the worlds of TVs, smartphones, tablets, PCs, cameras, home appliances, printers, LTE systems, medical devices, semiconductors and LED solutions. We employ 286,000 people across 80 countries with annual sales of US$216.7 billion. To discover more, please visit www.samsung.com.

About Sky

Sky is the UK and Ireland’s leading home entertainment and communications company. Around 40% of all homes have a direct relationship with Sky through its range of TV, broadband and home telephony services.

Sky is the UK’s biggest investor in television content, investing more than £2.5 billion a year in channels such as Sky 1, Sky Atlantic, Sky Living, Sky Arts, Sky Sports, Sky Movies and Sky News.   Around two-thirds of Sky’s content spend is invested in the UK and Sky is the fastest-growing source of investment in original British programmes. More than 30 million people watch Sky content each week.

Alongside its commitment to offering customers a greater choice of high-quality content, Sky is a leading innovator. Customers enjoy total control and flexibility over their favourite TV through Sky+, watch TV on the move through Sky Go, and enjoy the best quality TV experience at home through High Definition and 3D.

Sky distributes its content broadly over several platforms, including satellite, cable, IPTV, mobile and WiFi. NOW TV, Sky’s second consumer brand, builds on the company’s leadership in internet TV. Sky is also the UK's fastest-growing home communications company and favourite ‘triple-play’ provider of TV, broadband and home phone.

Sky believes in making a wider contribution to the communities in which it operates by taking positive action on the environment, supporting grassroots sports and increasing access to, and participation in, the arts. Sky employs 24,000 people, has annual revenues of £7.2 billion and is estimated to support a £5.9 billion contribution to UK GDP. Sky is listed on the London Stock Exchange (BSY).