Mentorn Media has been commissioned by ITV 1 to make a documentary marking the first anniversary of Madeleine McCann’s disappearance and focusing on the campaign to prevent others going through a similar ordeal.
The programme will feature extended contributions from Kate and Gerry McCann. It is the only TV programme the McCanns have agreed to be filmed for in the run up to the anniversary.
The one-hour special follows Kate and Gerry McCann as they launch a campaign to introduce to Europe a USA-style Amber Alert system, in which law enforcement agencies are empowered to commandeer airtime on TV and radio when a child goes missing. The system also includes alerts via email, electronic traffic signs and text message.
The McCanns hope a European-wide scheme will help reduce the chances of this experience happening to other families.
The documentary team has followed Kate and Gerry McCann since early January. Footage will include the couple in their home in Rothley and travelling to Brussels and Washington as they pursue their campaign. They talk about Madeleine, the night she went missing, becoming “Arguido” suspects in Portugal and the decision to return to Britain.
ITV’s controller of current affairs & documentaries, Jeff Anderson, said the channel will donate £10,000 to the Find Madeleine Fund. However, he added that no payment has been made to Kate and Gerry McCann for the making of the programme.
Steve Anderson, executive producer for Mentorn Media, said: “Amid all of the controversy, what should be remembered is that a little girl is still missing and her family is trying its best to find her.
“We have been with Kate and Gerry McCann as they have pushed for a better system across Europe to help stop child abduction. They are determined to do whatever they can to make sure that what happened to Madeleine doesn’t happen to another child.
“They also speak frankly and honestly about Madeleine’s disappearance which is undoubtedly one of the biggest stories of the past 12 months.”
Madeleine McCann (w/t) is a Mentorn Media production for ITV1. The executive producer is Steve Anderson and the producer/director is Emma Loach. The programme was commissioned by ITV’s controller of current affairs and documentaries, Jeff Anderson.
For further information please contact Louise Plank at Plank PR on behalf of Mentorn Media on 020 8995 3936 or
lou@plankpr.com