News 2002
Virgin Mobile gets into bed with Jordan
12/04/2002
- Virgin Mobile is the official telecommunications supplier to Jordan Grand Prix
- Branding on the Jordan Honda EJ12 car
- Virgin Mobile to launch special edition Jordan F1 phone
- Virgin Mobile supplies comprehensive F1 news and results service via its SMS, WAP and 4321 VirginXtras services to customers
Virgin Mobile, the UK’s fifth network, today announced that it is sponsoring the Jordan Grand Prix Formula One team, and it has become the official mobile telecommunications supplier to the team.
Here’s the deal:
The deal sees Virgin Mobile become the official mobile telecommunications supplier to the Jordan Grand Prix Formula One team, helping cement Virgin Mobile’s position as the world’s leading virtual network operator, and the most innovative brand in the global mobile arena. Virgin Mobile, launched in the UK in November in 1999, is now established in Australia and Singapore, and will shortly launch in the United States of America. This sponsorship, for the 2002 season, begins a relationship which both parties aim to develop into a long-term strategic alliance.
The sponsorship provides Virgin Mobile with the opportunity to feature its branding on the DHL Jordan Honda EJ12 cars, driven by Italy’s Giancarlo Fisichella and Japan’s Takuma Sato, giving it prime visibility in front of the 6 billion television viewers in 128 countries that watch Formula 1 each year, in addition to the millions of fans that attend Grand Prix races throughout the season.
As part of the agreement, Virgin Mobile branding will be visible on the headphones of Eddie Jordan, the Jordan pit crew and team personnel. The Virgin Mobile brand will also feature in the Jordan pit and on the Jordan team support vehicles, and on the team website, at www.f1jordan.com.
The partnership sees the coming together of two very like-minded businesses, both founded and managed by entrepreneurs who thrive on breaking the mould and challenging the old guard within their respective fields.
Commenting on the deal, Sir Richard Branson said: “Eddie Jordan and his team have a great reputation for being dynamic and innovative, and are renowned for having fun and doing things differently. These are qualities that lie at the heart of the way we like to do business at Virgin Mobile. They are the very reason we believe this is going to be a mutually beneficial partnership and a truly outstanding year for both companies, especially as we continue to expand globally.
“It’s clear the nature of Formula One sponsorship is changing, with traditional sponsors making way for new consumer technology companies, and as one of those up-coming modern businesses, we are really pleased to be partnering Jordan. And of course, we bearded entrepreneurs have to stick together!”
Eddie Jordan, chief executive of the Jordan Grand Prix Formula One team, said: “I am delighted to welcome Virgin Mobile to the Jordan family of sponsors. As the fastest growing mobile network in the UK, and with its aggressive international expansion plans into markets where Formula One is popular, I believe this is a good fit for the two companies. Jordan and Virgin Mobile have very similar styles, and both enjoy challenging the big competitors in their respective fields through innovative marketing, leading edge technology and the best use of their resources.”
What will the customers get?
Virgin Mobile already has one of the most comprehensive F1 results and news services available on any network anywhere in the world, through its VirginXtras media services. Tapping into the ever-growing popularity of SMS, Virgin Mobile keeps its customers bang up-to-date with F1 on and off the track with free SMS alerts for:
- F1 news
- Practice times
- Qualifying times
- Race results
- Drivers Championship positions and Constructors Championship positions.
For even more in-depth coverage, additional F1 commentary is available through Virgin Mobile’s WAP site and through its pioneering audio-on-demand `4321’ service. Customers can get up-to-the-minute news and interviews through the revolutionary voice-activated portal. Just dial 4321 on your Virgin Mobile and say ‘Formula 1’.
As part of the sponsorship, the VirginXtras F1 service will be expanded and whether it’s SMS, WAP or audio services, VirginXtras will provide its customers with the choice of how to keep up to date on Jordan’s progress with team news, gossip and commentary.
Virgin Mobile is also creating an exclusive Jordan F1 phone with a branded fascia showing the team’s famous logo and images of the car in action. These will be available from both Virgin Mobile’s and Jordan’s websites, in the `J’ Magazine, in selected UK high street stores, and will appear in various national competitions and promotions.
The Jordan sponsorship deal confirms Virgin Mobile as a serious player in its support of sport. It already sponsors British Superbike’s Team Virgin Mobile Aiwa and Bath Rugby Club.
