Telstra launches heartwarming ‘Hello Christmas’ campaign via The Monkeys

November 10 2023, 12:55 pm | BY Ricki Green | 5 Comments 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’.

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: TelstraChief Marketing Officer: Brent SmartHead of Creative Excellence: Anna JacksonHead of Brand & Network Marketing: Alita McMenaminSenior Brand Specialist: Maria RizzoSenior Marketing Specialist: Stephanie FredericksPrinciple Media Sponsorships, Awards & Experiential: Genelle SharplesRobbie Aoukar (senior media specialist)Deeptha Chugh (senior media specialist)

Creative Agency: The Monkeys, part of Accenture SongThe Monkeys Group CEO & Accenture Song ANZ President: Mark GreenThe Monkeys & Accenture Song Managing Director: Matt MichaelChief Creative Officer: Ant KeoghNational Head of Production: Romanca MundreaHead of Production: Penny BrownChief Client Officer: Belinda DrewManaging Director Strategy: Milla McPheeSenior Strategist: Brona KilkellyCreative Director: Hugh GurneyCreative Director: Connor BeaverArt Director: Emmalie NarathipakornSenior Designer: Stephen LeupenGroup Business Director: Amanda PorrittSenior Business Director: Alex AustinBusiness Executive: Georgia WongSenior Broadcast Producer: Jade RodriguezSenior Integrated Producer: Henry Welch

Production Company – Exit FilmsDirector – Glendyn IvinEP – Leah Churchill BrownProducer – Alice GrantDOP – Germaine McMickingOffline Edit – The EditorsEP – Nicoletta RousianosProducer – Charlotte GriffithsCasting – Nick Hammond CastingEditor – Shannon MichaelasPost Production – ALT VFXVFX Supervisor – Dave EdwardsProducer – Martina Joison

Music – “Oh Christmas” ZeffirelliAudio Post – SqueakE CleanSound Engineer – Paul Le CouteurEP – Ceri Davies

Photographer – Toby Burrows

Retouching – Electric Art

OMDHelen 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)