Camera:  Arri Alexa, 25fps 
Shooting Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Lens: Arri Master Primes
Location: Sydney

Camera:  Arri Alexa, C300,  25fps 
Shooting Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Lens: Arri Master Primes
Location: New York

Camera:  Arri Alexa,  25fps 
Shooting Aspect Ratio: 16:9
Lens: Arri Master Primes
Location: New York

This fun, bizarre, and massive rebrand campaign for Vodafone came to life when the agency decided it was time to shake things up. At the time, big telcos were stuck playing it safe, cranking out predictable ads that all felt the same. The agency pitched something completely out there: put a baby’s head on an adult’s body. The idea was bold, weird, and hilarious—and everyone knew it would turn heads.

The concept wasn’t just about being quirky; it was about creating something so unexpected that it would grab attention and make people laugh (or scratch their heads). Merging the physicality of an adult with the oversized innocence of a baby’s face gave the campaign its surreal edge. And even though the concept was completely absurd, it was super important to me to make it look as real as possible. It had to feel believable, even though you knew it was fake—that balance was key to its success.

Pulling it off was no small task. We shot the live-action first, locking in the adult performances, then went back into the studio to capture the babies. Matching lighting and movement was absolutely critical. We had backup babies, toys, snacks—you name it. Parents were on set doing everything from clapping to making goofy faces to keep the little ones distracted and smiling. It was chaotic, fun, and a serious test of patience and endurance.

When the campaign launched, the reactions were wild. Some people loved it, others were a little freaked out, but everyone had something to say about it. It even got featured on The Gruen Transfer, where they broke it down piece by piece. This campaign proved that taking a risk and embracing the absurd can pay off.

It was bold, weird, and so much fun to make, and it gave Vodafone a fresh, unforgettable voice in a crowded market.

Credits
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Client: Vodaphone

Chief Marketing Officer: Kim Clarke
General Manager, Brand & Marketing Communications: Jana Kotatko
Head of Brand & Creative Strategy: Rachael Butler
Head of Creative, Vodafone: Rob Morrison
Head of Campaigns & Media: Shawn Marsh
Senior Campaign Manager: Nadine Cran
Senior Campaign Manager: Lisa Van Ross

Advertising Agency: Host, Sydney
Agency: OGILVY & MATHER
Chief Creative Director: Steve Back
Creative Director?: Russell Smyth
Senior Writer: Oliver Devaris
Senior Art Director: Graham Johnson
General Manager: Nathan Quailey
Business Director: Fleur Marks
Group Account Director: Katie Dally
Account Director: Rachel Allen
Account Director: Gemma Troup
TV Producer: Gabe Hammond

Production Company: Curious

Director: Ash Bolland
Producer: Tara Riddell

Production Manager: Ilana Lazar
Production Coordinator: Kara Baird
Cast Coordinator: Toby Gibson
Director's Assistant: Luke Seer Brown
Runner: Jose Marquina
1st AD: Eddie Thorne
2nd AD: Laura Naggy

Director of Photography: Ryley Brown
Camera Assistant: Paul Shakeshaft
Data Wrangler: Thomaz Labanca
2nd Unit Camera Op: Simon Harding
2nd Unit Camera Assistant: TBC
VTR Operator: Nick Williams

Gaffer: Shaun Conway
Best Boy: Joel Klinger
Electrics: Paul Fotofilli, Simon Allan, Jason Poole, Beau Moulson
Grip: Jason Trew
Grip Assistants: Jeff Eastman, Geoff Full, James Hopwood
Art Director: Anthony Fletcher
Props Buyers: Peter Tselepi, Jeremy Fuller
Art Assistant: Luke Miller
Standby Props: Quentin Tetz
Sound (Playback): Jeremy Ireland
Wardrobe: Sandy Burcul
Wardrobe Assistant: Amanda Enders
Makeup: Mat Hornby, Lilly Miljkovic
Safety Officers: Greg Robinson, Spike Cherry
Unit Manager: Peter Klauser
Unit Assistant: Gus Payne
Location Manager: Ruth Mackinnon
Location Coordinator: Lauren Cooper
Traffic Controllers & Barricading: Ex Who Dares
Caterers: Fringe Benefit, The Novotel, In Café
VFX Supervisors: Colin Renshaw, Jesse Bradstreet
VFX Production Assistant: Sean Ryan

The Editors

Editor: Bernard Garry, ASE
Editor: Daniel Lee
Editorial Producer: Nicoletta Rousianos

Alt.vfx

VFX Supervisor: Jesse Bradstreet
VFX Supervisor: Colin Renshaw
2D Supervisor: Matt Chance
Lead Flame Artist: Urs Furrer
Compositor: Karen Fabling, Mick Harkin, Murray Smallwood, Mark Doney
Online Editor: Matt Bennett
VFX Assistant: Sean Ryan
Executive Producer: Takeshi Takada

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Special Thanks
Steve Back  and Gabe Hammond