Happy New Year everyone. It seems that Virgin Atlantic's New Year's resolution is to re-establish itself as the glamorous airline with the red hot cabin crew.
If you haven't seen the new ad campaign, have a look here and let me know what you think.
It seems to hark back to a bygone age when air travel was deemed sexy and glamorous, rather than the delay-prone, overcrowded means of getting from A to B that it has become today.
The brick-sized 1980s mobile phone in the ad is amusing - did people really did used to think they looked anything other than ridiculous with such clunky, oversized pieces of plastic clamped to their ears?
But will the ad have its desired effect? Will a bunch of attractive women in red stilettoes encourage people to forget their money worries and fly Virgin in these difficult economic times?
I'd be more interested in finding out what Virgin's plans are for this year in terms of being a standalone carrier in the midst of a frenzy of consolidation activity. Will the carrier end up in some kind of deal with Lufthansa over bmi? And if not, will some smart red uniforms be enough to help it navigate the choppy seas ahead?
I've been waiting to see this ad - i keep missing it on the TV. i think its a great ad. it's like the John Sargent of ad's. exactly what everyone needs right now lighthearted tongue in cheek fun.
so it serves the advertising purpose, I'm going to remember it.
Kerry, the new Virgin ad certainly hits the spot when it comes to prodding an old fartie like me with the testosterone stick... But seriously, ever since (back in the '80's if I recall, when Janeh Shtreet Powtah. made a programme just about ads (because businesses will spend more on a 30-second ad than it costs to make a whole season of some soap) - I noticed. This Virgin ad is good, technically, cos it grabs your attention. Dunno about the quality of the airline. ;-)
Thanks for your comments Colin - I'm glad the ad warmed you up on a cold January day. It's certainly got people talking, which is probably a measure of success for an ad. Virgin has always been really good at marketing its brand - let's wait and see if this turns into ticket sales!
I Honestly think that Advertising really has to do much with an Airline. I remember the once there was this continental commercial where the was a runway filled with names of its destinations and the Main Landing gear was visible landing on the runway. It was a simple commercial but it still pushed me into booking a flight.
This advert shows the fun and cool side of Mr Richard Branson, and his amazing staff.I am a frequent flyer member, and proud of it.I think i better start planning and booking my flights way in advance as i think business can only get better for virgin airlines in the future.For all those people who have not flown with Virgin,what are you waiting for.
Susan Vella
This has to be one of the best adverts on television for a long time! Big well done to your marketing team, it's truly brilliant! I overheard a few other people talking about this in a supermarket the other day and saying how great they thought it was too! Having flown with many other competitive airlines, I have to agree that there is only one winner and that is Virgin airlines, keep up the good work!
really miss the virgin girls ad, loved watching it,please can we have it back.