More than 35 years after Qantas first launched an advertising campaign using the iconic Peter Allen anthem ‘I Still Call Australia Home’, the national carrier has unveiled a new epic version of its legendary ad to showcase Australia as the world re-opens and travellers return to the skies.
Grab a tissue or two and get ready to feel all those nostalgic feelings that Qantas’ advertising department manages to nail so consistently.
It has been more than 35 years since the original iconic ad was released and let’s be honest, we can’t get enough of it and are stoked to see a new, remixed version for 2022 to celebrate the #ArrivalRevival of international travel.
The new ad has a contemporary arrangement of the song and features the vocals of a new generation of the Australian Girls Choir together with the National Boys Choir, the Gondwana Choir and some of Australia’s most loved personalities.
Along with Kylie Minogue, Ash Barty, Hugh Jackman and Troye Sivan, the campaign also stars children from Longreach, Qantas staff, Adam Goodes, members of Bangarra Dance Theatre, swimmers Bronte Campbell and Ellie Cole and Aboriginal Elder Rene Kulitja.
The advert was filmed before the pandemic at locations around Australia, from the spectacular Hutt Lagoon in WA to the jagged cliffs of Cape Raoul in Tasmania.
Scenes were also filmed in Melbourne, Uluru, Hobart, Brisbane, Sydney, South Australia’s salt lakes, Longreach, the Whitsundays, Los Angeles, Tokyo and London.
The final cut of the ad highlights emotional reunions with loved ones as more Australians are travelling domestically and international visitors are returning. Nice.
Qantas Group CEO Alan Joyce said now is the ideal time to unveil the new version of the much-loved theme and provide a boost to Australia’s tourism industry recovery.
“The last major Qantas advert came as the country was rolling up its sleeves to be vaccinated so we could all reconnect, and it really struck a chord. Now that borders are finally open and staying open, this is the perfect time to relaunch this Peter Allen classic as the national carrier’s anthem.
“The full version of this advert is effectively a short film that highlights Australia’s stunning natural beauty and unique culture while celebrating the incredible resilience that has really shone through recently.
“After a very difficult two years, we’re focused on recovery and have a lot of exciting things in the pipeline, including several new international destinations, decisions on new aircraft and recruiting more people,” said Mr Joyce.
Qantas began using the iconic song in 1987 and an updated TVC was launched in August 1994 to coincide with the Commonwealth Games which were held in Canada. The Qantas Choir was first featured in the ad in 1998.
Qantas has used various versions of the I Still Call Australia Home advert over the years, most recently in 2009, but this is the first time the airline has recreated the entire original TVC concept.
From this Sunday, the TVC will be screened in Australia on TV, billboards, print and digital sites at various times throughout 2022.
The ad will also be shown on all Qantas international flights arriving in Australia. Let’s hope they don’t forget the seatback tissue packs.
For more information visit www.qantas.com.au
