Telco Creates Vintage Phones Based on Trio of Netflix Series

Who wants a direct line to the Upside Down?

Technology with a retro vibe is the center of the latest campaign from Dutch telco KPN. Customers who bundle their home internet and mobile services receive a free subscription to either Netflix or ESPN Complete. To hype the partnership, Dentsu Creative Amsterdam recreated retro phones from Stranger Things, The Crown and La Casa De Papel that work via modern-day tech (USB-C ports) and come with special ringtones and voicemail.

Until April 9, fans can enter to win one of the phones (50 of each were made), even if they’re not KPN customers. A spot running on social media gives viewers a close-up look at the merch.

“While looking for ways to enhance the KPN-Netflix partnership, we stumbled upon the insight that in a lot of (Netflix) series and films, phone-like devices play a pivotal role,” says Leen de Ronde, an agency creative. “Bringing an edition of these devices to life would be a lovely way to get the best of both worlds: physical phones coming from the series and the series being ‘extended’ in real life with fun features.”

The Stranger Things walkie-talkie will connect fans with the Upside Down. If you flip the phone upside down, your voice sounds as if it’s coming from that odd realm. Switch to channel B to listen in on “lab transmissions,” or extend the antenna to make your device a Demogorgon detector.

The Crown phone take you back to a time where you had to start all over if you dialed a wrong number. Fans can press a special button to get the Royal Family’s schedule. Another button makes the caller sound “regal.” An etiquette assistant offers tips on how to behave like royalty.

The La Casa De Papel handset lets users eavesdrop on convos of a “heist crew” in action. A secret (mini) safe can be accessed through the proper code.