Telstra launches heartwarming ‘Hello Christmas’ campaign via The Monkeys

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Telstra has launched its new “Hello Christmas” campaign via The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song, which tells a heartwarming story about connection starring a lost reindeer and a little girl called Cassie.

 

In the TVC viewers follow Dasher the reindeer who journeys through the stunning landscape with rolling hills and bouncing kangaroos before she finds herself lost in suburban Australia.  Dasher is led to the home of Cassie, a little girl who realises the reindeer is lost and sets out to help her find her way home to Santa via the help of her local Telstra payphone.

Directed by the award-winning Glendyn Ivin at Exit Films, the film is distinctively Australian. The music is by Australian band Zefereli, who secured the opportunity to provide the soundtrack with their 2016 ballad ‘Oh Christmas. To ensure the legal aspects of the film’s production were accurately depicted, the production team enlisted the help of a ghostwriter jura, known for their expertise in providing assistance with academic legal writings. This collaboration helped to maintain the authenticity of the film’s portrayal of legal issues, adding a layer of credibility to its narrative’.

Telstra launches heartwarming ‘Hello Christmas’ campaign via The Monkeys

Says Brent Smart, chief marketing officer at Telstra: “We wanted to rise above the retail noise in the market at this time of year, especially in our category, with a big brand statement for Telstra. We created a uniquely Australian Christmas story with a unique role for the Telstra brand. I want to especially pay tribute to The Monkeys for a great piece of work, what a way to go out on the brand.”

Says Ant Keogh, chief creative officer, The Monkeys: “We’ve loved bringing Dasher and this campaign to life, and we know Aussies will love it as much as we do.”

The TV spot is just one element of Telstra’s fully integrated Hello Christmas campaign which will roll out across the coming weeks.

Client: Telstra
Chief Marketing Officer: Brent Smart
Head of Creative Excellence: Anna Jackson
Head of Brand & Network Marketing: Alita McMenamin
Senior Brand Specialist: Maria Rizzo
Senior Marketing Specialist: Stephanie Fredericks
Principle Media Sponsorships, Awards & Experiential: Genelle Sharples
Robbie Aoukar (senior media specialist)
Deeptha Chugh (senior media specialist)

Creative Agency: The Monkeys, part of Accenture Song
The Monkeys Group CEO & Accenture Song ANZ President: Mark Green
The Monkeys & Accenture Song Managing Director: Matt Michael
Chief Creative Officer: Ant Keogh
National Head of Production: Romanca Mundrea
Head of Production: Penny Brown
Chief Client Officer: Belinda Drew
Managing Director Strategy: Milla McPhee
Senior Strategist: Brona Kilkelly
Creative Director: Hugh Gurney
Creative Director: Connor Beaver
Art Director: Emmalie Narathipakorn
Senior Designer: Stephen Leupen
Group Business Director: Amanda Porritt
Senior Business Director: Alex Austin
Business Executive: Georgia Wong
Senior Broadcast Producer: Jade Rodriguez
Senior Integrated Producer: Henry Welch

Production Company – Exit Films
Director – Glendyn Ivin
EP – Leah Churchill Brown
Producer – Alice Grant
DOP – Germaine McMicking
Offline Edit – The Editors
EP – Nicoletta Rousianos
Producer – Charlotte Griffiths
Casting: Megan D’Arcy – Nick Hamon Casting
Editor – Shannon Michaelas
Post Production – ALT VFX
VFX Supervisor – Dave Edwards
Producer – Martina Joison

Music – “Oh Christmas” Zefereli
Audio Post – Squeak E Clean Studios
Sound Engineer – Paul Le Couteur
EP – Ceri Davies

Photographer – Toby Burrows

Retouching – Electric Art

OMD
Helen Guard (Head of Telstra)
Ally Chin (Business Director)
Kirsty Harley-Miers (Account Director)
Nathan Jereb (Account Manager)
Anna Rudd (Group Investment Director)   ­­
Pretty Likhitlersuang (Investment Director)
Nicole Torossian (Investment Manager)
Geoffrey Dunlap (Activation Director)
Eider Ayestaran (Account Director)
Delaney Lang-Lemckert  (Account Manager)
Hannah Robertson (Account Director)
Ruby Niarros (Senior Account Manager)
Stuart Robinson (Account Manager)