Family Tree DNA and 20th Century Fox Team Up for Historical Adventure

HOUSTON, Oct. 27, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- In association with the upcoming theatrical release of the epic adventure film ASSASSIN'S CREED, in theaters December 21, Family Tree DNA is pleased to announce a new partnership with 20th Century Fox and Findmypast, which features the Assassin's Creed DNA Testing Bundle and Assassin's Creed Sweepstakes.  

Loosely based on the popular video game franchise of the same name, and starring award-winning actors Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard, the movie's main character Callum Lynch—through a revolutionary technology called the Animus—travels deep into the past to discover that his genetic ancestor, Aguilar, was part of a mysterious secret organization, the Assassins, in 15th Century Spain. The action-adventure follows Callum as he relives Aguilar's memories in present day.

As pioneers in the direct-to-consumer DNA testing industry, Family Tree DNA was tapped by 20th Century Fox to be the exclusive testing partner for the film. The company's premier suite of DNA tests along with the world's most comprehensive matching database enable users to trace their lineage through time, explore ancestry and connect with relatives across the globe.

Family Tree DNA Director of Product Development, Michael Davila, noted that "The opportunity to partner with 20th Century Fox on the release of Assassin's Creed is not only exciting but serendipitous. The storyline of Callum Lynch connecting to his ancestral past ties in completely with what our company does in helping people discover their origins and explore family history," said Davila.

"We are excited to be partnering with Family Tree DNA," said Zachary Eller, Senior Vice President, Marketing Partnerships, 20th Century Fox. "They provide a fantastic opportunity to bring the central themes of Assassin's Creed to a real world application by allowing consumers to actually discover their past."

With the purchase of the special limited-time Assassin's Creed Bundle, customers will be mailed a sample collection kit which, when processed, will provide both Family Tree DNA's signature Family Finder test and the Warrior Gene DNA test. They will also receive a free one-month premium subscription to Findmypast's online genealogy service.

According to Belinda Hanton, Global Head of Partnerships at Findmypast, "We are thrilled to be teaming up with Fox and Family Tree DNA to promote family history research and genetic genealogy. It's partnerships like this that allow us to speak to completely new audiences and help spread the word that anyone can start exploring their heritage at the click of a mouse.  The lives of our ancestors are not only recorded in historical records, but are also written in our DNA and it is now easier than ever before to unlock the incredible stories hidden in our families' past."

Using a simple cheek swab and step-by-step instructions, users return the sample collection test kit by mail, in a provided envelope, directly to Family Tree DNA. Results typically take four to five weeks and are delivered through a private customer dashboard with email notification. Unlike other testing companies, Family Tree DNA results are kept completely confidential and secure privacy settings put users in control of how much information they choose to share.

Family Finder is an autosomal (non-sex) DNA test that finds matches within five generations and includes myOrigins, a powerful mapping tool that provides a detailed geographic and ethnic breakdown of personal genetic ancestry. The Warrior Gene test determines whether a person carries the Monoamine Oxidase A (MAOA) gene variant, dubbed the "Warrior Gene," which some researchers say may cause certain carriers to engage in more risk-taking behaviors and be able to better assess their chances of success in critical situations.

Together with the Assassin's Creed DNA Testing Bundle is the Assassin's Creed Sweepstakes and a chance to win a Grand Prize trip for two to Las Vegas for an Assassin's Creed-themed adventure. The experience includes a series of high-octane Assassin's Creed-inspired activities like a master parkour class, nighttime zip lining and an electrifying sky jump from   the tallest tower in the city.

Although no purchase is necessary to enter the contest, purchasing the Assassin's Creed Bundle earns customers ten additional entries into the Sweepstakes for a greater chance to win a trip to Las Vegas as well as other prizes. Followers will also have the opportunity to earn bonus entries by sharing Sweepstakes social posts on their Facebook and Twitter pages.

With the exclusive DNA Testing Bundle and Sweepstakes movie tie-in, Assassin's Creed fans everywhere will be able to jump back in time, embrace their inner warriors and unlock their genetic memories.

"The partnership between Fox's Assassin's Creed and Family Tree DNA is a perfect fit," Davila said. "Test-takers get to find out if they carry the "Warrior Gene" in their DNA, and while they're at it, will be able to delve into the exciting world of genetic genealogy and discover their own family histories…all through DNA. Everyone has a story to tell, so it's an absolute win-win scenario."

To learn more about the Assassin's Creed DNA Testing Bundle and Sweepstakes, visit: https://www.familytreedna.com/assassinscreed

About Family Tree DNA: 
Since pioneering the field of direct-to-consumer DNA testing for genetic genealogy in 2000, Family Tree DNA has grown to become the most trusted source for providing beginners, enthusiasts, to serious genealogists with innovative ways and powerful tools to break through conventional barriers in unlocking their family histories. The company's premier suite of DNA tests along with world's most comprehensive ancestry database are what set Family Tree DNA apart, and led to their being selected as the official testing provider for the Genographic Project launched in 2005 by National Geographic and IBM. Located in Houston, Texas, Family Tree DNA is the only company in the industry with its own state-of-the-art Genomics Research Center. By offering the widest variety of DNA tests to help determine genetic relationships and ancestral origins, Family Tree DNA has continued to experience unprecedented growth and success worldwide. To learn more visit www.familytreedna.com.

About Assassin's Creed:
Through a revolutionary technology that unlocks his genetic memories, Callum Lynch (Michael Fassbender) experiences the adventures of his ancestor, Aguilar, in 15th Century Spain. Callum discovers he is descended from a mysterious secret society, the Assassins, and amasses incredible knowledge and skills to take on the oppressive and powerful Templar organization in the present day. Directed by Justin Kurzel, Assassin's Creed stars Academy Award® nominee Michael Fassbender and Academy Award® winner Marion Cotillard. The film is distributed by 20th Century Fox and opens in theaters worldwide on December 21st, 2016.

About 20th Century Fox:
One of the world's largest producers and distributors of motion pictures, 20th Century Fox produces, acquires and distributes motion pictures throughout the world.  These motion pictures are produced or acquired by the following units of 20th Century Fox Film:  Twentieth Century Fox, Fox 2000 Pictures, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox International Productions, and Twentieth Century Fox Animation. 

About Findmypast:
With an ever-expanding collection of over 2 billion historical records from around the globe, Findmypast is the world's best resource for researching family history and documentation. Censuses from as far back as 1790 help identify long-lost relatives, the world's largest collection of Irish records reveal unknown connections to the Emerald Isle, while US military data going all the way back to the American Revolution prove if a person is descended from war heroes. Users can fill in blanks in their ancestors' stories by searching millions of newspaper records going back to 1710. www.findmypast.com

For further information, please contact:

Elena Collot, Product Marketing Manager
Family Tree DNA, a division of Gene by Gene, Ltd.
[email protected]
(832) 691-7282

Leslie Sachnowitz Meimoun, Senior Writer-Marketing|Communications
Family Tree DNA, a division of Gene by Gene, Ltd.
[email protected]
(832) 877-0683

SOURCE Family Tree DNA

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