Filming at Nokia Bell Labs
As part of Nokia’s Futurists in Residence program, I collaborated with global thought leaders Cathy Hackl and Bernard Marr to translate frontier technologies – AI, quantum, sensing networks, and space communications – into compelling narratives and strategic content. The program was designed to bridge Nokia Bell Labs’ deep R&D with broader cultural and business foresight, positioning Nokia as a brand not just responding to change but actively shaping the future of connectivity.
Creating Real Action
The Challenge
During COVID-19, we needed to create a content series that could be produced remotely while still delivering impact, authority, and originality. Nokia wanted to position itself not just as a telecoms giant, but as a partner actively improving society.
The Idea
We launched Real Action, a hackathon-style series tackling global challenges with cross-sector collaboration. Each season gathered leading voices from business, academia, government, and NGOs to explore innovative solutions across areas like smart agriculture and green energy. The concept: demonstrate how technology and human ingenuity can solve the world’s toughest problem – together.
Bringing It to Life
Our series 1 trailer set the tone with a striking visual metaphor: fruit left to rot in a shed for three weeks, filmed in time-lapse, then reversed – transforming waste back into abundance. It dramatised the campaign’s core question: can technology reverse the tide of waste?
Each five-part series documented experts working toward a tangible solution – such as a real-time dashboard that could track and reduce food waste in supply chains. Content rolled out across social, owned platforms, and paid media, backed by an interactive landing hub and downloadable workbooks.
Results
More than 300% above target in unique page views within five weeks.
Video views exceeded targets by 600%.
70% over target in lead-generating form fills for the influencer-authored workbook.
Influencer amplification generated 120k+ organic social impressions on LinkedIn and Twitter.
Most importantly, the series attracted a subscriber base of 40k on YouTube, demonstrating an appetite for sustained engagement with Nokia’s thought leadership. The programme unlocked new research collaborations and business opportunities, connecting Nokia with CEOs, food tech innovators, and LATAM agricultural companies.
