Everyone’s attention is in extraordinary demand at Christmas. Every screen, every notification, every brand wants a moment of it, Deutsche Telekom and INGO The Agency are reminding people to Take Time to Connect. Their heartwarming film reminds them about the difference between being together and feeling connected and like L.L. Bean’s it notes that in a world full of distractions, time and focus can be the most meaningful gift we give to our loved ones.

The film captures a busy family Christmas where a young girl notices what everyone else has missed – her grandfather is there, but his thoughts are elsewhere as he remembers his late wife and the Christmases they shared. Granddaughter Lily understands that he is lost in his own thoughts and reaches out to him…

Cyndi Lauper’s ‘80s classic, Time After Time, adds tear-inducing nostalgia and, with its theme of being there for someone, echoes the bond between Lily and Grandpa.

The film was devised and created by INGO in collaboration with director, Léo Cannone, from Feel Films. They partnered with generative AI studio, New Forest, to build a visual world, characters and campaign imagery made entirely using generative AI.

The film leads a campaign covering TV, cinema, digital, digital OOH, and social channels from November 2, supported by local activation initiatives. It will be seen across ten European markets – Austria, Croatia, Czechia, Hungary, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Slovakia, Germany and Greece.

“Feeling connected to others is essential to a society in which people can understand and support one another. With Take Time to Connect, we want to encourage everyone to slow down and be there for the people around them,” stated Ulrich Klenke, chief brand officer at Deutsche Telekom.

Elias Modig, senior copywriter, INGO, added, “Connecting people is at the heart of Deutsche Telekom’s purpose, and this Christmas we’re celebrating the small acts that make a connection count: someone noticing. Someone reaching out. And how one connection can make a world of a difference. Our campaign is built on a simple human insight: when we slow down and give someone our attention, any moment can become magical.”

Credits:

Client: Deutsche Telekom

Creative Agency: INGO The Agency  

Global CEO: Håkan Karlsvärd
Executive Creative Directors: Anna Salonen, Hanna Stenwall, Nils Sienaert
Copywriter: Elias Modig
Art Director: Sara Rylander, Shilan Shewki
Client Lead: Carin Lagergren
Head of Operations & Production Lead – Klara Bringel
Design Director: Anne-Mette Møller
Motion Designer: Amand Chevallier

Agency Production: WPP-Production
Head of UK Production: James Brook-Partridge
Agency Executive Producer: Katharine Cowell
Production Assistant: Mattia Capasso

Production Company: FEEL FILMS & New Forest
Founder: Nick Hirschkorn
Managing Director & Executive Producer: Louise Gagan
Director: Léo Cannone
Founder New Forest & Tech Supervisor: Simon Miller
Feel Technical Director:  Bala Kingston
Offline Editor: Andu Radu
Sound Designer: Srdjan Kurpjel
Colourist & Online: Victor Riva