Two de Force have had the privilege of managing each Tour de SBS event from its inception 8 years ago.
Our team thrives when set with the challenge to create a unique, fun and dynamic way to represents the various verticals that SBS have to offer media agencies and clients.
2018 was our biggest year yet. 24 agencies competed in a series of challenges themed around the Tour de France, the Food Network, FIFA World Cup, VICELAND and SBS on Demand.
Our role in the lead up to the event consisted of securing and liaising with all event suppliers (venue, production, catering, equipment hire, talent, transport, photography and styling etc). We sourced all the challenge elements - no easy feat when you see the end product.
Two de Force were responsible for all communication with the 380 event attendees, To begin with, each agency received a craft project as their save the date, a blank football… Teams had to decorate their football and bring it along to the event for a FIFA World Cup challenge and the opportunity for bonus points!
On Thursday 5th July, competitors arrived by the busload. They entered a French themed cabaret bar where they were presented with decadent charcuterie boards for each agency team to enjoy before the competition kicked off.
Two de Force secured Australian crown prince of Comedy Joel Creasey to MC the event once again. Creasey had the room in stitches within seconds of his opening monologue before he kicked off the night’s challenges with the Tour de France Cycling Challenge.
CYCLING: Teams completed a tandem bicycle course around ‘France’. They collected points along the way upon completion of each pit stop challenge. First up competitors enjoyed a croissant at the Café Montmartre before jumping back on their bikes and continuing onto the Moulin Rouge where they were scored on their attempt at the famous Can Can dance. The final pit stop of the Tour de SBS Cycling Challenge was the Masquerade Ball where competitors dressed up in ball gowns before they took the dance floor. Onlookers were entertained by the creativity and determination demonstrated by competitors as they made their way around the course.
FOOD: Themed around hit TV show The Chefs Line. Teams of 4 competed in a Charlotte Cake relay with each team member completing one stage of the recipe before presenting their final product for judging. Judges awarded points for teamwork, charlotte cake stability and overall presentation. There were some clear frontrunners for this challenge while others were lucky to make it to the presentation table in one piece.
FOOTBALL: Every year there is always one challenge that excites agencies above the rest. This year, the giant inflatable Hungry Hippo Football challenge was a hard one to beat. One participant from each team competed in the life sized hungry hippo game where they were required to strap into a bungee cord, put on oversized blow up hands and launch themselves toward the centre to collect as many footballs as they could within 60 seconds. As expected this challenge was just as hilarious as it was ridiculous.
VICELAND: With the remake of cult TV show The Crystal Maze we created a quiz with a twist! Agency challenge representatives lined up along the start line while Quiz Master Joel Creasey asked True or False questions. Competitors held their True or False paddle high above their heads to signal their answer to the questions as they raced toward the finish line.
SBS ON DEMAND:The final challenge of the night was an all agency challenge. Teams were given a box wrapped in chain and then padlocked closed. Agencies had to find the correct key to unlock the box to reveal the puzzle pieces inside. Once the puzzle was complete, agencies then captured an image of it and uploaded it to Instagram for judging.
That wrapped up the event formalities for the night. DJ Sasha Moon took to the stage while our competitors basked in their glory and the night that was.
Our task wasn’t quite done yet though… Two de Force had assembled hangover hampers for guests to enjoy the morning after the event. Yes, we really do think of everything!
We genuinely look forward to working with SBS on this event every year. The Tour de SBS continues to out do itself annually and we already can’t wait to see what we come up with next year!
Some kind words from those that came along:
“HUGE thanks to the team for executing yet another amazing event – 8 years on and the event just gets better and better each time! I think TDF are the best in the business and it’s so refreshing to have complete confidence and trust in team when we are partnering on a major event.”
- Lisa Marchant, Trade Marketing Executive, SBS
“It was amazing!! The food, the vibes, everything. Thank you for all the hard work you put in to make a great night.”
- Harshy Ugarte, Starcom
“It is up there with the best media event I've been to.”
- Luke Amasi, Bohemia
“Merci as they say in La France! Last night was so much fun and today’s hangover box was dream.”
- Samantha Sandiford, Executive Investment Mindshare
“What a great event, great night and great hangover package.”
- Harry Ingham, Amplifi Australia
“As always, you & your team did an amazing job putting together such a huge event.”
- DJ Sasha Moon
*Photo credit to Rhiannon Hopley Photography