A journey through the last four decades of telephone communication and the joy of connecting with family and friends during the holidays. That’s what he proposes Vodafone United Kingdom in your christmas advertisementwhich celebrates the role it has played in the lives of British people since 1984.

Created by creative agency Leo Burnett In collaboration with the brand, the spot makes a chronological tour over the last forty years highlighting some of the most emotional and recognizable moments of Christmas. Thus, it reflects the first mobile phones of the 80s, SMS in the 90s, the appearance of folding phones or video calls.

The piece, produced by Smuggler celebrates the power of connection at Christmas, and highlights that although technology has changed, the joy of meeting and connecting with loved ones during the holidays remains the same.
From the company they point out that the first mobile phone call was made on January 1, 1985, while the first text message, which said “Merry Christmas”, was sent on December 3, 1992; both were powered by the Vodafone network.

“Connecting people at this important time of year is in our brand’s DNA. This year, we’re so proud to celebrate those moments of connection that mean so much to everyone at Christmas and how we’ve helped make it happen for 40 years.“commented Maria Koutsoudakis, Brand Director at Vodafone UK.

The campaign has been active since December 2, and includes activations on television, radio, outdoor advertising, YouTube, social networks, video on demand and cinema. Carat is the media agency responsible for planning.

The campaign will also include a series of digital contentconsisting of four parts and starring content creator Roman Kemp and his mother, singer Shirlie Kemp. The pieces will unite two generations and delve into the way forms of communication have changed.

Technical sheet

• Campaign Title: Christmas
• Client: Vodafone UK
  • Brand Director: Maria Koutsoudakis
  • Head of brand: Kshitij Desai
  • Head of social: Jordan Stone
  • Social Brand Manager: Nina Ruberry
  • Brand and Marketing Manager: Emmeline Manning
• Advertising Agency: Leo Burnett
  • CCO: Mark Elwood
  • Creative Director: Rob Tenconi
  • Social Creative Director: Beth Manning
  • Creative: Matt Wood & Tom Loveless
  • Chief Production Officer: Emily Marr
  • Executive Producer: Megan O’Hagan
  • Producer: Kate Reynolds
  • Production Support: Sara Gill
  • Managing Partner: Marie-Louise Robinson
  • Client Partner: Matt René
  • Account Director: Alice Pavey
  • Account Manager: Ellie Glover
  • Account Executive: Missy Maiklem
  • Head of Project Management: Emily Patterson
  • Project Director: Jon Purr
  • Design Creative Director: David Allen
  • Planning partner: Ila De Mello Kamath
  • Senior Planner: Jenika Tanqueray
  • Senior Strategist: Ilana Green
• Production Company: Smuggler
  • Director: Tom Speers
  • EP/Managing Partner: Lucy Kelly
  • Director of Photography: Suzi Levelle
  • Producer: Lucy Gossage
  • Production Manager: Meghan Young
  • Production Coordinator: Georgie Dale
  • Production Designer: Lucie Red
  • Wardrobe Stylist: Sarah Blenkinsop
  • Editor: Eve Ashwell
• Edit House: The Assembly Rooms
• Audio Post-Production Company: 750PMH
  • Sound Design & Mix: Jake Ashwell & Sam Ashwell
  • Audio Producer: Olivia Ray
• Post-Production Company: Harbor
  • VFX Lead: Joe Tang
  • Post-Production Producer: Hannah Jarrold
• Color Post Production: Black Kite Studios
  • Colourist: Tom Mangham
  • Color Producer: Phil Whalley
• Music Supervision: Wake The Town
  • Music Supervisor: Sam MacNamara
• Media Buying Agency: Carat
  • Managing Partner: Natalie De Cruz
  • Planning Partner: Jamie Truscott Howell
  • Strategy Partner: Rupert Beck
  • Media Planner: Kate Burrows
  • Account Director: Samuel Staniforth
  • Account Manager: Laila Casey-Walsh