Nylon Studios’ Simon Lister showcases diverse talents for launch of UNICEF’s global rebrand

Last night in New York City, UNICEF launched its first rebrand in over a decade with a striking brand film, shot and directed by Nylon Studios’ co-owner and creative director, Simon Lister. The campaign features the voices of Liam Neeson, Jackie Chan and Shakira, with singing from world-renowned musician, Lisa Gerrard – but the film’s real stars are the faces of the children that UNICEF helps to aid and protect.

Lister is best known in the industry as one of Australia’s top sound engineers and co-founder of Nylon Studios. His passion for sound and music has created a powerful pairing with his amazing images as they are accompanied by Nylon composer Jesse Watt’s evocative composition. Collaborating between its New York and Sydney studios, Nylon also created the Sound Design for the campaign.

Says Lister: “To be able to have my photos represent such an incredible and iconic brand is immensely satisfying. I think most of us would hope that at some stage of our career we can somehow use our craft to be able to make a meaningful contribution to the world we live in.”

Created by Marcel Sydney’s founder and creative chairman, David Nobay and produced by Holly Alexander, the brand campaign has since been shared online by the likes of David Beckham and other UN ambassadors reaching over 3.5 million people worldwide. Nobay brought Lister onto the project after their initial collaboration on the ABC Artbreaks caught the eye of UNICEF’s chief of brand building, David Ohana.

Says Ohana: “Through this re-branding, our goal is to convey, in a powerful and distinctive way, what UNICEF stands for, in everything we do, in every country we work, in a way that is relevant to our audiences. It has been a pleasure to work with David Nobay, Simon Lister and the team on this truly global collaboration.”

What started as a passionate hobby, many years ago, has now become an opportunity for Lister’s stunningly visceral photography to bring awareness to The United Nations’ Children’s Fund and its cause. Over the span of 2 months, Lister travelled with just a small UNICEF team to film children from developing countries, such as Vietnam, Ethiopia, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon and Mexico. The footage was brought back to Sydney and pieced together with the incredible care and support of Heckler’s Will Alexander, Andrew Holmes and Ali Kennedy.

Lister and his team hope their efforts help UNICEF to raise awareness and much needed funds #foreverychild.