Vodafone’s nostalgic Christmas campaign returns for 2025

This TV ad takes a nostalgic journey through those decades of Christmas moments, showing although our ways of communicating have evolved, the feeling of reaching out to loved ones – whether by call, text, video or in-person – remains as powerful as ever.

The story begins in the 1980s, where a young couple share a tender moment over an original brick phone, capturing the excitement of early mobile communication. As the years roll on, we see their family grow, technology evolve, and festive traditions shift – from text messages in the 90s to video calls in the 2020s.

Each scene is a snapshot of its time, filled with nostalgic details: the thrill of a new flip phone; the awkward charm of teaching grandparents to use video chat; and the timeless joy of hearing a loved one’s voice on Christmas Day. Through it all, one thing remains constant: the desire to reach out, to connect, and to simply say “Merry Christmas.”

Set to a moving soundtrack of the 1983 hit ‘Only You’ by The Flying Pickets, the ad – created with Leo UK – is a celebration of how Vodafone has helped keep families close throughout every generation of mobile technology.

Alongside the TV ad which airs on 3 December, the campaign also spans radio and video on demand, as well as YouTube and a social series featuring Roman Kemp and his mum, Shirlie Kemp, which goes live on Monday 17 November.

Maria Koutsoudakis, Chief Brand Office, VodafoneThree, said: “As The Nation’s Network, we’re proud of the role we’ve played in helping people feel close, especially at this time of year, when our journey as a brand began with the first ever text.

“This campaign celebrates the moments that bring us together, and the technology that’s helped make them possible for more than four decades.

“The ad struck a powerful chord with audiences last year, reminding us that some stories don’t need retelling – they simply need to be shared again. By bringing it back, we’re honouring a nostalgic, heartfelt narrative we hope will bring joy once again to people across the UK.”

The fully integrated, multi-channel campaign — spanning TV, radio, YouTube, social media and video on demand — launches on Friday 14 November, starting with social content. The TV advert will air from 3 December, premiering during the Liverpool vs. Sunderland Premier League fixture, followed by prime spots in the ‘I’m a Celeb’ finale and Gogglebox.

-Ends-

Notes to Editors:

* Proprietary brand and communications tracking data from DVJ Insights shows that, across all Vodafone campaigns measured in 2024/2025, the 2024 Christmas campaign achieved the highest scores among the General Population for enjoyment and credibility.

About VodafoneThree

VodafoneThree is the UK’s largest mobile network operator serving the fixed and mobile market, formed following the merger of Vodafone UK and Three UK in June 2025.

Through an unprecedented £11 billion investment, VodafoneThree will build the UK’s best network. The network will deliver reliable, quality connectivity to all nations and regions, creating as many as 13,000 jobs and laying a digital foundation for the country’s growth ambitions. VodafoneThree is the only mobile network operator with a fully funded, regulated and guaranteed network build plan, reaching 99.95% population coverage by 2034. From big cities to small towns, and everywhere in between, the company’s mission is to build the UK’s best network.

VodafoneThree is a private company, 51% owned by Vodafone and 49% owned by CK Hutchison Holdings. It encompasses all businesses and assets, including Vodafone UK, Three UK, VOXI Mobile, SMARTY and Talkmobile.

For more information, visit:

www.vodafonethree.com

www.vodafone.com

www.ckh.com/hk

Follow us:

www.linkedin.com/company/vodafonethree

Credits:

CAMPAIGN TITLE: Christmas

CLIENT: Vodafone UK

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: Charlotte Elwig

ACCOUNT MANAGER: Walker Hill

ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE: Missy Maiklem

HEAD OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT: Emily Patterson

PROJECT DIRECTOR: Jon Purr

DESIGN CREATIVE DRIECTOR: David Allen

SENIOR PLANNER: Jenika Tanqueray

SENIOR STRATEGIST: Ilana Green

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

PRODUCTION COMPANY: Smuggler

DIRECTOR: Tom Speers

EP/ MANAGING PARTNER:  Lucy Kelly

DIRECTOR OF PHOTOGRAPHY: Suzi Levelle

PRODUCTION COMPANY 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

COLOUR POST PRODUCTION: Black Kite Studios

COLOURIST: Tom Mangham

COLOUR PRODUCER: Phil Whalley

MUSIC SUPERVISION:  Wake The Town

MUSIC SUPERVISOR: Sam MacNamara

Vodafone:

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

CCS Insight:

TECHNOLOGY ADVISOR: Ben Wood