The Inphone Campaigns
The Inphone Intro
On October 3rd 1983, British Telecom launched the INPHONE campaign, which was a whole new concept in advertising the phone. INPHONE was much more than simply a marketing strategy, it was designed to give the company a complete brand identity.

The new plug and socket system of connecting phones had just been introduced in 1981 and the catchy little slogan; INTOUCH. INTONE. INPHONE was an excellent attempt to promote the complete range of phones.  

Scan: Inphone leaflet.
| EXIT | Inphone Intro |
The 'In' Crowd is a 1964 composition, written by Billy Page and arranged by his brother Gene, originally sung by Dobie Gray. Being 'in' had the context of being trendy, fashionable, or with the happening people.

Inphone

The first 40-second TV commercial was sung to the tune of "In Crowd" as follows:-

I'm in with the Inphone
I go where the Inphone goes.
Plug in with the Inphone
suits my style, and suits my clothes
It doesn't matter where or what I do...
it's just my new way of getting through.
Inphone's in tone, in touch with me
Inphone's in tone, in touch with you.

In touch, in tone, Inphone.


MVO: [probably Mike Read DJ] Inphone from British Telecom. For yours dial 100 now, and ask for Freefone Inphone.

 
Play the very first Inphone advert (mp3).
A second TV ad. entitled "More And More" was equally compelling:-

I'm in with the Inphone
I go where the Inphone goes.
Downstairs on the Inphone...
Upstairs while I paint my toes.
More than one is really so much fun,
Three or four...you can give me more.
Looks so good, looks in style
Looks so right, look no dial

In touch, in tone, Inphone.


And a third one...

Gonna move in with the Inphone
I go where the Inphone goes.
With high-tech ...and low sofas
Or Baby Grand, Inphone's so composed!
You can't knock it...sockets everywhere
One just here...one just there
From the kitchen...switching to the hall
Room to roam while I make my call
In touch, in tone, Inphone.


MVO: Move in with an Inphone, from British Telecom. Dial 100 and ask for Freefone Inphone.
Play the moving Inphone advert (mp3).
Inphone in support
These were not just an adverts to sell phones, but a whole fashion statement of ideas and innovations, casting a spell of new possibilities. And the supporting merchandise backed this up, giving for once a complete adverting theme.
   
Design, images and text compiled by © Light-Straw. Page last updated 7 June 2021.

All logos and trade marks are the property of their respective owners and are used on the Light Straw site(s) for review only. Students and researchers are recommended to make their own independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information contained therein.