Telstra is raising awareness about cyber security in Australia with a new campaign. Created in collaboration with Bear Meets Eagle On Fire and +61, the campaign highlights how Telstra blocks millions of cyber threats every day, protecting Australians from scams and harmful online activity.
At the center of the campaign is acclaimed US actor Steve Buscemi, who plays an intergalactic emperor. His character attempts to take over Australia through elaborate high-tech scams, but all his plans are repeatedly foiled by Telstra’s powerful network.
Directed by Randy Krallman and produced with the support of Smuggler, the campaign features multiple storylines in both long and short formats. These films will be showcased across TV, digital, social media, cinema, and in Telstra stores.
Alita McMenamin, Telstra’s Head of Brand and Marketing Communications, said, “This is essentially a product demo—but a very entertaining one—that differentiates our network not just by size, but also by safety. It was created with the exceptional level of craft we always enjoy from Micah and the team.”
Micah Walker, Chief Creative Officer of BMEOF, added, “Making comedy work isn’t always easy, but this genuinely was fun. Huge thanks to Randy, Steve, and everyone who worked so hard to make something so smart and so silly.”
Blake Crosbie, Managing Director of +61, said, “The security of a network and everything that happens on it has serious implications. But focusing too heavily on ‘serious’ often follows the same industry tropes. Sometimes making a topic lighthearted is the best way to get people to pay attention.”
The campaign clearly demonstrates that Telstra is not just a large network—it is a secure network that actively protects Australians from cyber threats every single day.
Credits:
Creative Agency: Bear Meets Eagle On Fire
Partner Agency: +61
Media Agency: OMD Australia
Client: Telstra
Chief Marketing Officer: Brent Smart
Head of Brand and Marketing Communications: Alita McMenamin
Head of Creative Excellence: Anna Jackson
Senior Marketing Specialist: Rebecca Tearle
Media & Marketing Operations Lead: Paula Marreiros
Senior Media Specialist: Robbie Aoukar
Production Company: Smuggler
Director: Randy Krallman
Co-Founder / CEO: Patrick Milling Smith
Co-Founder / President: Patrick Carmody
Executive Producer: Allison Kunzman
Producer: Gustav Geldenhuys
Director of Photography: Kaname Onoyama
Production Designer: Jiri Matura
Costume Designer: Terezie Dvorakova
Model Maker: Martin Pec
SFX Makeup: Josef Rarach
Edit: ARC
Editor: Peter Sciberras
Executive Producer, Edit: Daniel Bradford-Fry
Assistant Editor: Liam James
Post Production: Blockhead
Sound House: Rumble Studios
Lead Sound Designer: Tone Aston
Composer: Jeremy Richmond
Sound EP: Michael Gie
