CGU Insurance has collaborated with The Jim Henson Company on a new production called Tall Poppy, which encourages Australians to embrace ambition and question the cultural stigma of tall poppy syndrome.

The short film, directed by US puppeteer Brian Henson of Muppet Treasure Island and Christmas Carol fame and produced in California, combines handmade puppets with cutting-edge Computer Generated Imagery (CGI).

It is available on YouTube and was released in Australia on Sunday, with a five-minute advertising version run during the 60 Minutes timeslot on Nine.

Developed by CGU, the film is set in the town of Bland and features a “not-so-little girl about to change the way we see ambition forever”. Found on a doorstep, Poppy - who is tall - brings colour into the washed-out world, dancing on a table and drawing. She endures bullying but is rescued, and the film ends with CGU’s ‘Insuring Ambition’ tag line.

“This film is dedicated to all the Tall Poppies behind every small business. May you never stop growing,” CGU said.

Ambition is too often seen as a negative trait, the company says.

“Tall Poppy is about celebrating ambition and facing the feelings of uncertainty and vulnerability that can get in the way of living to your fullest potential,” Brian Henson said.

“The ambitious team that came together to create this film, brought together by our incredible partners at CGU Insurance, definitely saw the magic and innovation that can happen when everyone feels free to share their own unique talents. We hope that Poppy’s story will inspire Australians to celebrate their own tall poppies.”

CGU research reveals more than a third of Australians agree ambition is perceived negatively and almost 60% believe Australians cut down ambitious people, even though 77% acknowledge ambition is important to drive progress and innovation.

"We want to celebrate Australia’s tall poppies, not cut them down, because collectively driving innovation in small businesses is essential for progress and growth,” IAG Chief Marketing Officer Brent Smart said.

The CGU research found a fifth of Australians have either passed up an opportunity for fear of being seen as a tall poppy or have been a victim of the tall poppy Syndrome, and younger generations are most held back by the syndrome.

Mr Smart says celebrating and inspiring ambition in the next generation of Australians is important.

“We shouldn’t let the tall poppy label or the issue of standing out due to our success hold us back. As seen with Poppy’s story, ambition can lead us to achieve wonderful things.”

Dozens of puppets and nearly 150 visual effect shots were needed to complete the nine-minute film. See it here on YouTube.