Covid has put pressure on everyone’s internet connection. Faster speeds and reliable connections have come to the fore. Internet providers tend to simply try to shout louder than their competitors about both. adam&eveDDB and Virgin Media have opted for a more interesting approach in the UK – a classic boy meets girl story set in the world of online gaming (which has also surged during Covid’s restrictions on social interaction). The story never leaves the digital world, which gives it an intriguing ending and also mimics life during Covid.
The 90-second TVC is the centre of a campaign, Faster Brings Us Closer, that includes digital, social and a four-month radio partnership with Bauer Media, and in continuation of the gaming theme, features a ‘playable ad’ on social and several OVOD partnerships including Twitch.
Virgin Media executive director, brand & marketing, Cilesta Van Doorn, commented, “Building connections that really matter is why we exist at Virgin Media and, once again, we’ve put this sentiment right at the heart of our new campaign. In this increasingly digital era we’re living in, relationships are blossoming in new and unexpected places. For our latest ad, we’ve reimagined a classic love story that includes all of the warm fuzzy feelings you’d expect but set in a fast-paced video game.”
adam&eveDDB chief strategy officer, Martin Beverley, added, “During the pandemic we’ve seen a rise in online gaming, and stories of gamers finding real love in virtual worlds. Our new campaign tells one of those stories – an old-fashioned love story in a new fashioned, fast-internet world. Virgin Media’s ultrafast broadband brings us closer even when we can’t meet in person.”
Credits:
Agency: adam&eveDDB
Chief Creative Officer: Richard Brim
Creative Directors: Tim Vance & Paul Knott
Copywriter: Edward Usher
Art Director: Xander Hart
Agency Producers: Nikki Cramphorn, Persephone Withnell & Olly Ravaux
Planners: Paulina Thompson & Claire Strickett
Project Manager: Anna Curtis
Social: Lauren Booty
Joint CEOs: Tammy Einav & Mat Goff
Managing Partner: Sam Lecoeur
Account Director: Cat Thomas
Account Managers: Olivia Rose & Nick Wilkie
Business Affairs: Gemma Davies
Design: King Henry
Designer: Carl Warren
Retouching: Dan Jackson
Digital Design: Sam Butler @ Gutenberg Global
Media Agency: Manning Gottlieb OMD
Production Company: Academy Films
Executive Producer: Simon Cooper
Producer: Ash Lockmun
Director: Frederic Planchon
DOP: Justin Brown
Editing: Nik Hindson @ Assembly Rooms
Post Production: Time Based Arts
Post & VFX Producer: Chris Aliano
Colourist: Lewis Crossfield
Music Supervisor: Jesper Gadeberg
Audio Post Production: Anthony Moore & Phil Bolland @ Factory Studios
Audio Producer: Lucy Spong
Soundtrack: Greenscreen by Karl Zine
Client: Virgin Media
Executive Director of Brand & Marketing: Cilesta Van Doorn
Head of Brand Communications: Samantha Codrington
Senior Advertising Manager: Chris Hughes
Advertising Manager: Sam Miao
Disability Consultants: Keely Cat-Wells Of C Talent, Virgin Media’s Ultraviolet Network, Scope
