Steph McGovern Stays at Home to Promote New Chat Show

Channel 4 has announced the launch of its campaign to promote The Steph Show, presented by Steph McGovern.

The trail for The Steph Show reflects the strange and uncertain times the British public is experiencing but also tries to lighten the mood and raise a smile.

Filmed before the country went into lockdown, the film shows presenter Steph McGovern waving and tapping on the glass patio doors from inside her house.

Speaking in a voice muffled by the closed double-glazed doors, Steph says: “Join me, Steph McGovern, for my new lunchtime show on Channel 4, live from a front room.”

She then holds up a piece of cardboard with the hastily drawn words ‘The Steph Show’ as she adds: “So stay indoors and let’s have a chat!”

A voice over then announces: “The Steph Show, chatting for Britain. Starts Monday at midday on Channel 4,” before cheekily adding: “Don’t go anywhere.”

The trail is the work of Channel 4’s in-house multi-award-winning creative agency, 4Creative. 

Creative director Eoin McLaughlin said: “We’d initially planned a two-day shoot complete with Steph on buses, boats, bicycles all over Leeds and the UK but as we were all advised to avoid gatherings, groups and close proximity to each other we had to go back to the drawing board.

“This concept enabled Steph to announce her show, acknowledge the current situation and remind everyone that we’re all in this together.”

Channel 4 group marketing manager Nic Moran said: “4Creative came up with a brilliant solution which is incredibly effective, evocative of the unusual times we are in but which also raises a much-needed smile in these very difficult circumstances.”

The production process also had the practical benefit of minimising any social contact as it only involved one cameraman and one producer. Both went to Steph’s house and shot the whole film through the glass door, which also meant Steph was able to stay contact-free and minimise the chances of her falling ill before the series starts.