Vodafone's Nostalgic Christmas Campaign Returns

This Christmas, Vodafone brings back its nostalgic 2024 ad campaign from Leo UK – a story of festive connections spanning over four decades.

Since 1984, Vodafone has helped the UK stay connected during one of the most meaningful times of the year. From the very first mobile call to the world’s first text message - a simple 'Merry Christmas' sent on 3rd December 1992 - Vodafone has been at the heart of festive connection for over 40 years.

In 2024, the ad resonated deeply with audiences, striking an emotional chord across generations, and was ranked the most enjoyable and credible Vodafone ad in recent years. By bringing it back this Christmas, Vodafone reinforces the idea that when something truly connects, it deserves to be celebrated again.

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 3rd 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 14th November, starting with social content. The TV advert will air from 3rd December, premiering during the Liverpool vs. Sunderland Premier League fixture, followed by prime spots in the ‘I’m a Celeb’ finale and Gogglebox.