RTÉ Media Sales has announced Casillero del Diablo as the sponsor of hit new drama series Normal People on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player

The deal brokered by full service agency, Javelin saw the Chilean wine brand sponsor the highly-anticipated 12-part relationship drama, an adaptation of Sally Rooney’s hugely successful novel. It stars Kildare newcomer, 24-year-old Paul Mescal in his first television role, as Connell, and British actress, Daisy Edgar Jones (War of the Worlds, Cold Feet) in the role of Marianne. The series follows two young people navigating adulthood in contemporary Ireland, and their complicated relationship from the end of their school days in Sligo to their undergraduate years at Trinity College.

The six-week sponsorship includes 72 sponsorship stings on RTÉ One and RTÉ One +1, as well as pre-rolls and mid-rolls on 30 day catch-up on RTÉ Player.

The first two episodes were watched by 357,000* on April 28th and streams on the RTÉ Player are currently nearing 1 million.

Ruth Kennedy, Television Sponsorship Manager, RTÉ Media Sales said: ‘RTÉ is delighted to welcome Casillero del Diablo as sponsors of the new and highly anticipated Irish drama, Normal People on RTÉ. This partnership is a great endorsement of RTÉ’s commitment to delivering ground breaking, quality Irish drama and delivers a successful and effective platform from which to communicate with huge audiences across TV and digital.  RTÉ Media Sales looks forward to a successful partnership.”

Aoife Hofler, Director of Media and Marketing at Javelin said: “We are delighted to sponsor the wonderful and hugely popular Normal People on RTÉ. Our sponsorship strategy over the past number of years has set out to own the night in. Casillero has moved from 5th to 2nd in the Irish wine market both in value and volume share.  With wine sales increasing throughout the lockdown, sponsoring one of the biggest shows on Irish television further moves Casillero del Diablo to the front of our consumers’ minds as the first choice for their night in. And nights in are pretty hot right now!”

Emilie Biver, Marketing Manager Western Europe, Casillero Del Diablo said: “Casillero del Diablo are very excited to sponsor such a high quality, beautiful and strong series on RTÉ. With Sally Rooney’s novel being such a big hit, we knew the series would deliver excellent results (which it already has!) and be a fantastic association for our brand. Seeing the first ratings and positive critics come in was of course great for us, but we are also very happy for the cast who have done an excellent job of writing, directing and acting. A partnership worth celebrating with a glass Casillero del Diablo.”