Netflix’s Latest Stranger Things Treat: Hawkins Power and Light Ads With a Working Phone Number

Hawkins Power and Light plays a pivotal role Netflix’s Stranger Things, and in anticipation of the release of the show’s second season this week, the streaming platform unveiled a sneaky new ad campaign for the fictional company.

Billboards and other out-of-home work from creative shop Doner L.A. touting Hawkins Power and Light have popped up in Los Angeles and New York. The tagline, “Flipping the Switch for a Brighter Tomorrow,” is perfect for the bland yet sinister corporation.

The campaign features a working 1-800 number that functions much like a regular corporate 1-800 number—soothing on-hold music, menu directions to follow, automated responses—until there’s a crackling sound similar to something you might hear in Stranger Things.

Fans who are excited for the new season found the campaign and posted about it on Twitter and Reddit. One fan, Chris Szott‏, recorded the 1-800 number and uploaded the recording to Soundcloud (see below).

Further information about the campaign was not immediately available, as representatives for Netflix did not respond to a request for comment. Doner L.A. declined to comment.

Kristina Monllos

@KristinaMonllos

Kristina Monllos is a senior editor for Adweek.