News
Virgin Mobile unveils Big Brother 9 sponsorship idents
04/06/2008
Virgin Mobile today unveiled its new Big Brother 9 sponsorship idents ahead of their debut tomorrow evening on Channel 4.
More than 80 sponsorship idents have been created by WPP ad agency RKCR, and will run throughout the 13-week series of Big Brother.
Primarily featuring Virgin Mobile, but also other Virgin Media services and the official handset partner Samsung, the idents are a series of documentary style vignettes, capturing normal people using Virgin’s services for unexpected things.
One ad shows a burly looking man in a pie and mash shop with the voiceover, “Antony’s Liberty SIM lets him keep the same mobile and number from the days when he was known as Cheryl.”
James Kydd, managing director of marketing and brand for Virgin Media said: "Last year’s ads were either loved or hated and we wanted to cause a stir this year as well. Like the show itself, we wanted to make the Big Brother audience laugh but also promote Virgin Media’s services the Virgin way.
“The ads not only educate people about what’s available for today’s demanding consumer, but they also acknowledge that it takes all sorts to make an interesting Big Brother.”
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For press enquiries contact:
Jackie Antas, Borkowski (0207 404 3000)
jackie@borkowski.co.uk
Simon Dornan, Virgin Mobile (0207 484 4323)
simon.dornan@virginmobile.com
Becky Mew, Channel 4 (0207 306 3751)
NOTES TO EDITORS
About Big Brother:
The first Big Brother broadcast was in the Netherlands in 1999 on the Veronica TV channel. The idea for "Big Brother" came during a brainstorm session at the production house of John de Mol Produkties. It has been a prime-time hit in almost 120 different countries.
The daddy of reality TV, one of the longest running most successful cross platform shows encompassing TV, internet, mobile and live streaming.
Previous winners - Series 1, 2000: Craig Phillips
Series 2, 2001: Brian Dowling
Series 3, 2002: Kate Lawler
Series 4, 2003: Cameron Stout
Series 5, 2004: Nadia Almada
Series 6, 2005: Anthony Hutton
Series 7, 2006: Pete Bennett
Series 8, 2007: Brian Belo
Now in its ninth year, Big Brother has withstood the test of time and due to its ground breaking content, is still hugely popular with viewers UK-wide. In 2007, the show reached more than 80 pc of 18-34 year olds (a total of 11.5 million 16-34s) and in general averaged around 4 million viewers per show. Out of the top 20 highest rating shows over the summer last year for 16-34’s, nine of these shows were Big Brother episodes.
“Big Brother is still immensely popular and resonates with the youth and popular culture in general today. We’re looking forward to meeting the housemates and seeing what Big Brother has in store for them soon,” said James Kydd.
David Charlesworth, head of sponsorship at Channel 4, added, “We’re delighted to have Virgin back on board for BB9. Virgin Media are perfectly suited as they offer multi-platform opportunities that help satisfy consumers' insatiable appetite for all things Big Brother."
About Virgin Mobile
Launched in 1999, Virgin Mobile is the UK’s largest mobile virtual network operator and uses T-Mobile's network and now employs over 1,700 staff. With 4 million customers, Virgin Mobile is part of Virgin Media and the group is the first to be able to offer ‘quadruple play’ to customers: mobile and fixed line telephony, broadband internet and television.
In the UK, Virgin Mobile phones are available direct on 0845 6000 600, online at virginmobile.co.uk or on the high street at approximately 5,000 outlets.
