- Verizon has teamed up with Netflix’s Stranger Things for a new holiday campaign.
- In the spot, eighties icon Molly Ringwald stars as a mom watching the show with her son and comments that he could text her more – guilting him about the lengths the kids in the show go to communicate with their parents from the Upside Down.
- The “This Holiday Season, Don’t Be a Stranger” effort plays up the Verizon’s 5G network in the spot.
Netflix’s Stranger Things brought the 80s nostalgia to modern day pop culture and Verizon joins a slew of brands – including Doritos and Chips Ahoy! – getting in on the release of the fifth and final season of the show.
“Everyone is still obsessed with Stranger Things. So, we thought, ‘How do we ride that wave and make people smile?’,” said Ricardo Aspiazu, senior vice president creative & brand design at Verizon. “The idea? We’re joking about how ridiculously hard it was to connect back then – think landlines, rotary dials, even signals from the upside-down – but somehow all characters really worked hard to stay in touch with each other.”
“Cut to Molly Ringwald – the ultimate ’80s icon who knows a thing or two about teenage drama,” he continued. “She’s desperate to connect with her son, but even with all the tech, she’s still getting radio silence. But with Verizon holiday deals you have zero excuse to be a stranger this season. Go connect, before your mom sends the Upside Down after you!”
Ringwald inspired the look of Vickie, a character featured in the new season, adding another wink and nod to the Verizon campaign. “What I love about this campaign is that it taps into that Stranger Things feeling – that universal need to connect with the people you care about,” said Ringwald, in a statement. “Partnering with Verizon and Netflix was a wonderful reminder that with the technology we all have now, staying in touch with our loved ones is easier than ever. This holiday, we can all take that message to heart: don’t be a stranger.”
The brand is highlighting its key role in supporting both viewing and social media in this cultural experience.
“We’re the quiet heroes – the ones who make the whole party possible,” said Aspiazu. “Think about it: You can’t stream the show, share the memes, or freak out in the group chat without our network. We’re the rock-solid connection that makes all those cultural moments happen.”
“So, when a giant hit like Stranger Things drops, we have to pop our heads up and say, ‘Hey! We’re the reason you aren’t buffering right now,’” he added. “It’s our funny way of making sure you see the essential role we play in all the fun stuff you care about.”
