News 2001
Virgin Mobile To Launch Handset Personalisation Service
17/07/2001
Any time, any design, any photo
Virgin Mobile today announced that it is to be the first UK network to offer mobile phone customers a design service allowing them to have their own photographs and images digitally imprinted onto mobile phone fascias.
In an exclusive network deal with advanced imaging specialist e-comeleon (a subsidiary of Comeleon plc), Virgin Mobile will give customers the chance to make each phone unique, whether that means emblazoning the handset with a picture of a loved one, a pet or simply a favourite photo. No two handsets need ever be the same again and customers will be able to use their phone as the ultimate fashion accessory.
The service goes live in September and comprises two phases. Phase one will be offered to customers using the latest handset in the Virgin Mobile range - the Sendo s200. Sendo has secured manufacturer exclusivity for this service until October. From October onwards, the service will be available for a wide range of phones including Nokia and Siemens handsets.
The process itself is simple. Customers will need to take their jpeg image, whether scanned in or uploaded from a digital camera, and visit the Virgin Mobile website at www.virgin.com/mobile. The site will contain a step-by-step demonstration that gives them the option to preview the design and see how the handset will look before purchasing. This unique service will retail at £29.99 and take five working days to be delivered to the customer's home.
Andy Mallinson, Head of Product Marketing, Virgin Mobile said: "Our new personalisation service means that each phone can now be as unique as its owner and offers customers a novel way to stand out from the crowd - we're pleased to be able to offer it exclusively to our customers. We aim to make the experience of owning a mobile phone on the Virgin Mobile network both easy, cheap and fun, and this new service allows us to do that."
Kevin Murtagh, Sales and Marketing Director of e-comeleon, said: "The strategic partnership established by e-comeleon, Virgin Mobile and Sendo represents an exciting breakthrough which will bring a new dimension to replacement fascia designs for mobile phones.
"The highly innovative on-line links will enable customers to create unique and highly personal designs at the touch of a button. The superior quality images generated by the e-comeleon process will have considerable appeal, particularly in the important youth market."
For more information please contact:
Alison Bonny, Virgin Mobile, pressoffice@virginmobile.com,
07802 430 276
Emma Goold, Big-Mouths PR, virginmobile@big-mouths.com,
0207 385 0009
Ian Watson, Mitchell Halton Watson Ltd, ian@mhwpr.co.uk,
0191 230 8078
Notes to Editors:
About Virgin Mobile
Virgin Mobile is a 50:50 joint venture company between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Deutsche Telekom's One 2 One, and is the UK's first mobile virtual operator (MVNO).
Since its launch in November 1999 it has attracted over one million customers, making it one of the fastest growing mobile phone companies ever.
It has scored a number of firsts, including being the first operator to scrap peak rate calls, introduce a daily discounting tariff, introduce an integrated MP3 mobile phone and is the first operator to introduce a cash back tariff, The Big Bonus.
Virgin Mobile is the only network to offer cheap calls and no line rental with no hidden catches and no contracts to sign. Standard calls cost 15p per minute for the first 5 minutes of use each day, and 5p per minute after that, for up to 23 hours 55 minutes each day. There is no line rental fee and no catches, however you choose to pay - you only pay for the calls you make. Voicemail retrieval is free and SMS messages cost 10p per message in the UK.
You can also Pay As You Want - by topping up with a voucher or a debit or credit card, or you can pay monthly by direct debit. Either way, you still receive the same great value tariff and no monthly fee.
The Big Bonus scheme entitles customers using £30-worth of calls or more each month to 10% of whatever they spend as an airtime credit the following month (includes calls made within and from the UK). The Big Bonus is available to everyone paying by direct debit, or to pre-pay customers topping up with either a credit or debit card.
VirginXtras is Virgin Mobile's groundbreaking range of value-added and money-saving services. The VirginXtras service helps customers get the information they want, in the most accessible and easy-to-understand way, whether it be via IVR, SMS, voice or WAP, and can be tailor-made to suit each individual. VirginXtras is available to every Virgin Mobile customer and puts service over technology.
Customers logging on to www.virgin.com/mobile simply pre-select areas of interest from seven core categories, including: sport, music, going out, staying in, travel, shopping and fun. So, whether people are after the most recent film releases at their local cinema, discounts on a whole range of items from CDs to holidays, football scores for their favourite team or a recommendation for a night out, VirginXtras offers the easiest way to get the best and latest personalised information sent right to your phone.
Virgin has already taken the brand overseas with Virgin Mobile (Australia), a partnership with Optus, which opened for business at the end of October 2000. A similar joint-venture between Virgin and Singapore Telecom will see the launch of Virgin Mobile (Asia) later in 2001. The global Virgin Mobile brand is also expected to launch in the USA and Europe within two years. Virgin Mobile has also recently launched in Northern Ireland.
In the UK, Virgin Mobile phones are available direct on 0845 6000 600; on the web at www.virgin.com/mobile; or on the High Street at over 3,500 outlets including Virgin Megastores, Our Price, V Shops and in supermarkets such as Asda, Kwik Save and Sainsbury.
About e-comeleon
e-comeleon ltd, part of comeleon plc, has developed a proprietary and patent pending process for applying high quality (1440dpi), full colour, decorative digital images or designs directly onto mobile phone covers. Following its successful flotation on the Alternative Investment Market in December 2000, comeleon has built production infrastructure, established cornerstone agreements with leading mobile phone producers and has established its sales channels.
