Doritos: Hosts 80s-Style Telethon for Hawkins Residents in Stranger Things

As Hawkins braced for its greatest battle in the final season of Stranger Things, Doritos “chipped in” to rally fans everywhere with a nostalgia-fueled campaign that turned the chaos of the Upside Down into a call to action. In partnership with Netflix, UEG helped bring the world of Stranger Things to life through the “Hawkins Telethon”—a retro, 1980s-inspired activation inviting fans to leave messages of hope at 1-855-4-HAWKINS. To amplify the throwback energy, UEG assembled an all-star lineup of ‘80s icons—including David Hasselhoff, Paula Abdul, and ALF—blending pop culture past and present to unite fandoms and keep spirits high.

Behind the scenes, UEG’s Account, Talent, and Entertainment Partnerships teams worked in lockstep to bring the vision to life—managing creative development, legacy rights, and complex talent negotiations under tight timelines. From navigating AI de-aging approvals to securing the Duffer Brothers’ final sign-off, every detail demanded precision, collaboration, and trust. The result: a bold, multi-channel campaign featuring product integrations, celebrity call-ins, drive-to-call billboards, and limited-edition packaging—cementing Doritos as both a nostalgic snack and a cultural hero in Hawkins’ fight against the Upside Down.

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