Qantas has unveiled a new ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ version filled with Australian stars.
National airline Qantas has combined the feelings of nostalgia and adventure in their new campaign called “I Still Call Australia Home.”
It comes after the iconic 1999 ad under the same name which aired just before the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
It is still one of the most expensive Australian ads ever made.
Watch: I Still Call Australia Home (2022)
The new ad features some of Australia’s most iconic actors, athletes and performers including Hugh Jackman, Ash Barty and Troye Sivan to name a few.
It begins with a picturesque backdrop of Uluru and includes Australia’s unique landscape and beaches, and beautiful city skylines.
The 2022 ad returns to its roots but showcases the incredible beauty of Australia, and highlights emotional reunions with loved ones after the COVID-19 pandemic kept families separated for years.
Scenes were filmed at locations around the country, from Hutt Lagoon in WA to the cliffs of Cape Raoul in Tasmania.
A history of success
The ad campaign has a fascinating history dating back to 1987. The first version of the song debuted with vocals sung by ad executive and jingle writer Allan Johnston, who partnered with Alan Morris at Mojo Advertising Agency.
The ad showcased popular destinations around the world, including Disneyland in California and the Acropolis in Greece.
The campaign successfully ran for five years, with many viewers reporting the ad tapped into deep emotions for Australians and visitors.
1998 saw the first use of youth choirs, which would define the campaign for years to come.
The National Boys Choir of Australia and Australian Girls Choir were filmed performing in incredible locations around the world, from New York’s Brooklyn Bridge to the Great Wall of China.
The ad reached an estimated 31 million viewers worldwide.
The 1999/2000 version of the ad was its biggest campaign yet, taking six months to film. The choir travelled to remote villages in Tanzania, India’s Taj Mahal and England’s Stonehenge.
It reached an enormous audience during both the Australian and United States broadcast of the Sydney Olympic Games.
Domestic travel demand has increased significantly since February this year, with both Qantas and Jetstar’s capacity for Easter expected to reach 110 per cent of pre-COVID levels.
Qantas has added several new overseas routes in the past six months as well, including Perth to Rome and Melbourne to Delhi, with more to follow.
Watch: I Still Call Australia Home (1999)
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