Allianz Australia unveils the powerful comeback story of Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer in new ‘Adrift’ campaign via Howatson+Company

March 2 2026, 6:00 am | BY Ricki Green | No Comments

Allianz Australia, the Official Insurance Partner of Football Australia, together with Howatson+Company has launched a new campaign to inspire Australians during this year’s major international women’s football tournament, hosted by Australia.

 

Directed by Oscar nominated director Michael Gracey and set to Sia’s ‘Unstoppable’, the film, titled ‘Adrift’, tells the epic comeback story of star Matildas midfielder, Amy Sayer, who’s returning to the national team after an ACL injury kept her off the field for 457 days. Using a powerful metaphor for what Amy’s injury journey felt like – being adrift on the ocean – the film celebrates how her grit and resilience, along with the care around her, got her back onto the pitch.

Says Laura Halbert, CMO Allianz Australia: “Australians are known for their resilience, whether it’s overcoming career-threatening injuries or facing unexpected events like severe weather. This campaign builds on our brand platform, ‘Care you can count on,’ by celebrating strength, determination, and the idea that ‘care never gives up’, just as Allianz is there to support our customers when they need us.”

Allianz Australia unveils the powerful comeback story of Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer in new ‘Adrift’ campaign via Howatson+Company

Says Gavin Chimes, CCO, Howatson+Company: “No one plans for the moment that stops everything. For Amy, hundreds of days separated who she was from who she could become again. That’s why Allianz tells this story – because in those dark moments between loss and recovery, care is more than a promise, it’s a lifeline. And by never giving up on it, true greatness can be achieved. Michael Gracey understood this perfectly. It was a privilege having him and his team bring our script to life.”

Captured in a real water tank with practical sets, Adrift was shot in camera and then brought to life with world class CGI from visual effects studio ALT VFX.

The campaign is supported by creative executions across cinema, BVOD, YouTube, outdoor, digital and social channels.

Allianz Australia unveils the powerful comeback story of Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer in new ‘Adrift’ campaign via Howatson+Company Allianz Australia unveils the powerful comeback story of Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer in new ‘Adrift’ campaign via Howatson+Company Allianz Australia unveils the powerful comeback story of Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer in new ‘Adrift’ campaign via Howatson+Company Allianz Australia unveils the powerful comeback story of Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer in new ‘Adrift’ campaign via Howatson+Company Allianz Australia unveils the powerful comeback story of Matildas midfielder Amy Sayer in new ‘Adrift’ campaign via Howatson+Company

Client: Allianz Australia
CMO, General Manager, Customer Strategy and Marketing: Laura Halbert
Head of Brand & Sponsorships: Gemma Cadwallader
Manager, Brand & Sponsorship: Charles Todhunter
Senior Specialist Media: Katrina Lochens
Senior Manager, Brand & Media: Elle Sproll
Managing Senior Legal Counsel: Sonja Nanevski
Senior Compliance Manager: Audry Concisom

Creative Agency: Howatson+Company
Chief Executive Officer + Founder: Chris Howatson
Group Managing Director: Renée Hyde
Client Partner: Fleur Lancaster
Senior Business Director: Brynee Roche
Chief Creative Officer: Gavin Chimes
Group Creative Director: Simon Friedlander
Senior Creative (copywriter): Charlotte Berry
Senior Creative (art director) Tom Macphail
Chief Design Officer: Ellena Mills
Head of Design: Trent Michael
Design Lead: Shelby Lane-Brown
Senior Designer: Cory Lo
Studio Lead: Simon Merrifield
Finished Artist: Patrick Riveria
Head of Production: Holly Alexander
Senior Producer: Caitlin Perz
Head of Post Production: King Yong
Senior Lead, Sound and Music: Shane Vancuylenberg
Mark Broome: Senior Editor

Production: FINCH
Director: Michael Gracey
Executive Producer/MD: Corey Esse
Executive Producer: Martin Box
Producer: Viv Jaspers
Production Manager: Daisy Bray
Production Coordinator: Sarah Marcuson
Casting: Stevie McGregor Casting
DP: Matt Toll
1st AD: David Lethem
Production Design: Loretta Cosgrove
Stylist: Janai Anselmi
Editor: Patrick Correll
VFX & Postproduction: Alt.vfx
VFX Supervisor: Dave Edwards
Producer: Carly Rosenberg
Colourist: Ferg Rotherham
Music Supervision: Anton Trailer at Trailer Media
Sound House: Rumble Studios
Lead Sound Designer: Tone Aston
Sound Designer: Dexter Cave
Executive Producer: Michael Gie
VFX Face Replacements: Rising Sun
VFX Face Replacements EP: Ian Cope

Media Agency: Wavemaker
Managing Director: Ian Edwards
Client Partner: Michael Talbot
Group Client Director: Thomas Grainger
Implementation & Activation Group Director: Tia McCann
Implementation & Activation Director: Laura Castro
Implementation & Activation Manager: Emily Kotevski
Strategy Director: Summer Treseder

 

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