A decade connected - protecting seal populations 
CLIENT Vodafone iot
THE CHALLENGE
Understanding marine mammal behaviour at sea has historically been incredibly difficult. Once animals leave the shoreline, researchers have limited visibility, relying on fragmented data and time-consuming tracking methods.
The Sea Mammal Research Unit (SMRU), based in St Andrews, has been tackling this challenge through innovative tagging technology, but without reliable connectivity, the full value of this data couldn’t be realised.
Vodafone Business, through its global IoT connectivity, has partnered with SMRU for over a decade to help transform how this data is collected, transmitted, and used, supporting marine conservation, sustainable energy development, and scientific research on a global scale.
We were asked by Vodafone IoT to capture this powerful story in video and written copy around the technology, sustainability, and long-standing partnership they have, bringing to life not only the innovation, but also the real-world impact on marine environments and animal welfare.
THE CREATION
From the outset, this project was highly collaborative. Through numerous calls with both Vodafone IoT and SMRU, we explored different narrative directions, visual styles, and storytelling approaches to ensure we could do justice to both the science and the human story behind it.
We developed video structures that balanced:
The complexity of the technology
The strength of the partnership
The importance of sustainability and animal welfare
A key part of pre-production involved deep research into the technology, the tagging process, and the broader environmental impact, ensuring we could translate this into a compelling and accessible story.
Filming took place over two days in St Andrews, where we captured interviews with key contributors and filmed on location to ground the story in the real environment where this work happens.
As part of our recce, we also filmed seals in the wild, helping us visually connect the technology to its real-world application and bring an authentic, natural feel to the video.
THE OUTCOME
We’re incredibly proud of how this project came together.
By combining real-world wildlife footage, on-location filming, and clear storytelling, we were able to create a video case study, multiple social edits and written work that not only explains a complex IoT solution but also highlights its meaningful impact on conservation and sustainability.
The strength of the collaboration with Vodafone and SMRU really shines through, resulting in video edits that feel both credible and engaging, while showcasing how technology can play a vital role in protecting our natural world.
Reflecting on this project, it’s a great example of how strong partnerships, thorough planning, production, and a shared vision can elevate a story, turning technical innovation into something truly human and impactful.
