Hugh Jackman celebrates the Australian spirit in newly launched film for Qantas via Brand+Story

Qantas has joined with its partners – including sports teams, Olympians and Paralympians, and leaders in the arts – in a new video, created by Brand+Story, celebrating the importance of diversity to national life.

The 60 second video opens with actor and Qantas Ambassador Hugh Jackman on Maroubra Beach, talking about the Australian spirit and “standing up for a fair go”.

VIEW THE SPOT

It then moves on to feature a range of talented Australians representing groups that Qantas has worked with for many years, standing together in celebration of inclusion and diversity. They include:

• Indigenous leader, Qantas Ambassador and former AFL player, Adam Goodes at a NAIDOC week celebration at Qantas head office.

• Athletes from several Qantas sport partners, including Rugby Australia, Football Federation of Australia, Cricket Australia, Australian Olympic and Paralympic Committees:

o National teams the Qantas Wallabies, and Matildas and Socceroos

o Australia’s champion mixed Wheelchair Rugby Team taking on the Olympic Gold Medal winning Australian Women’s 7’s Rugby team

o Members of the Australian men and women’s cricket teams playing a game of beach cricket o Defence Force veteran and Paralympian Curtis McGrath

o Olympic swimmer Bronte Campbell swimming with Paralympian Ellie Gould

• Indigenous dance company Bangarra and members of the Australian Ballet

• Qantas Indigenous School Based Trainees and students from Australian Indigenous Education

Foundation program

• Qantas staff celebrating Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras, which the airline has supported for over 25 years

• Singer Bernard Fanning providing vocals to the song underpinning the video.

The video is part of the national carrier’s longstanding support for equality and inclusion – something it has championed through gender diversity (including encouraging more women to train for traditionally male dominated aviation roles), Indigenous reconciliation and support for LGBTI issues.

Says Vanessa Hudson, group executive, Qantas: “We carry over 50 million people a year from all walks of life. And we have over 30,000 people working at Qantas who represent a cross section of the community. We don’t all think, look or act the same and that’s a huge asset. This video is about celebrating the strength that comes from diversity and why it’s one of the great things about the kind of place Australia is.”

The video will be screened during the Bledisloe match between Australia v New Zealand on 18 August on Fox Sports, thanks to Rugby Australia, as well as at the stadium to an audience of up to 80,000 people. It will also appear across social media channels for Qantas as well as several of the sporting bodies involved, and screen on board Qantas flights.

Says Raelene Castle, CEO, Rugby Australia: “One of the great things about rugby is that it brings together people from all sorts of backgrounds and it shows how they can all unite. We’re proud to support Qantas in celebrating why diversity and inclusion matter.”

Says Lynne Anderson, CEO, Australian Olympic Committee: The Australian Paralympic Committee is passionate about diversity and inclusion. We believe in the power of sport to positively lead change in the community. We are proud of our partnership with Qantas and to stand with them as they celebrate equality.

Says Adam Goodes: As a Qantas Ambassador since 2013 I continue to proudly stand up with Qantas and support their commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in Australia and celebrating the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people this great nation.

Says Bernard Fanning: “I’ve never been involved in an ad before but think this is such a pivotal time in Australian culture for ideas that promote fairness. I think it’s really significant that such an iconic Australian company and so many prominent Australians would promote the ideas of diversity, equality and inclusion in such a public way. Standing up for the vulnerable and disadvantaged should be a fundamental part of all societies.”

Says David McAllister, artistic director, The Australian Ballet: “Australia is such a vibrant, creative place because we celebrate difference. The Australian Ballet is pleased to stand with Qantas in support of inclusion.”

Says Josh Whiteman, director of the film: “It has been incredibly exciting to be involved in this project from its conception. We wanted to deliver a message that spoke to the great work Qantas does in promoting equality in Australia. Their extensive partnerships with some of Australia’s most influential and successful brands and personalities was an incredible opportunity to bring equality, inclusion and diversity to the fore, not just in business but across the whole community. Our concept was embraced by some of the biggest names across our cultural landscape – from Hugh Jackman to Bernard Fanning’s beautiful rendition of ‘Caravan of Love’, which shows justa how important this message is right now. There is something very special about the flying Kangaroo and we see this film as a celebration of the differences that make Australia great.”

Agency: Brand+Story

Post Producers: Amelia Bromley, Rose Harding, The Butchery

Sound Design: Abby Sie, Song Zu

Music: Karl Richter, Mel Jong, Level 2

Music Arrangement: Bernard Fanning, Nick DiDia