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• The ‘Faster Brings us Closer’ TV film airs tonight (5 February) during Coronation Street on ITV, kicking off a five-month campaign

Virgin Media’s latest campaign features a timeless love story that is set in the world of online gaming, powered by its fast and reliable WiFi.

The ‘Faster Brings us Closer’ campaign plays on the power of Virgin Media’s ultrafast network with the touching story of students Jade and Jake, who form an instant connection after meeting in an online video game.

Virgin Media’s new TV film, which debuts tonight (5 February) on ITV, emulates a classic love story reimagined for today’s digital world. After Jade defeats Jake in a gaming battle, they decide to team up and the more time they spend in the virtual world, the more their feelings for each other grow.  The narrative builds up to a virtual ‘meet cute’ where the characters take their relationship to the next level, meeting face-to-face via video call.

The uplifting ad, created by adam&eveDDB, is the heart of a new integrated campaign that will include digital media, social and a four-month radio partnership with Bauer Media.  The media for the campaign, which has been optimised for lockdown, was planned and bought by Manning Gottlieb OMD and in continuation of the gaming theme, features a ‘playable ad’ on social and several OVOD partnerships including Twitch.  

Cilesta Van Doorn, Executive Director of Brand and Marketing at Virgin Media said,

“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.”

“We’ve loved showing a different, heart-warming side of gaming as Jade and Jake work together and form a connection in the process, suggesting that even in the virtual world, you can find love when you least expect it.”

Martin Beverley, CSO at adam&eveDDB said,

“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.”

The launch follows Virgin Media’s morale-boosting ‘Stay connected’ campaign, as the provider continues to highlight the importance of timeless human connections during uncertain times.

Watch the full film here: https://youtu.be/VDzu2DHtWac

More information on the campaign here: www.virginmedia.com/faster

Credits

Client: Virgin Media      

Brand: Virgin Media

Project/Campaign name: Faster Brings us Closer

Executive Director of Brand and Marketing: Cilesta Van Doorn

Client/s Team:

Executive Director of Brand and 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

Agency: adam&eveDDB

Chief Creative Officer: Richard Brim

Creative Director/s: Tim Vance & Paul Knott

Copywriter: Edward Usher

Art director: Xander Hart

Agency producer/s: Nikki Cramphorn, Persephone Withnell & Olly Ravaux

Planner/s: Paulina Thompson & Claire Strickett

Project Manager: Anna Curtis

Social: Lauren Booty

Joint CEO: Tammy Einav & Mat Goff

Managing Partner: Sam LeCoeur

Account Director: Cat Thomas

Account Manager/s: Olivia Rose & Nick Wilkie

Business Affairs: Gemma Davies

Design: King Henry

Designer: Carl Warren

Retouch: Dan Jackson

Digital Design: Gutenberg Global

Digital Designer: Sam Butler

Media Agency: Manning Gottlieb OMD

Executive Director: Paula Mankelow

Account Directors: Spencer Corrigan, Helen Godfrey & Adam Saunders

Account Manager: Tessa Copeman

Production Company: Academy Films

Executive Producer: Simon Cooper

Producer: Ash Lockmun

Director: Frederic Planchon

D.O.P: Justin Brown

Editing Company: Assembly Rooms

Editor: Nik Hindson

Post Production: Time Based Arts

Post Producer Chris Aliano

VFX Producer: Chris Aliano 

VFX Production Assistant: Lewes Bridson 

VFX Supervisor: Francois Roisin

Shoot Supervisor: Matt Shires

2D Artists:

Matt Shires 

Will Robinson

Linda Cieniawska

Vadim Davidoff

Sarah Breakwell

Jamie Crofts

3D Artists:

Nick Smalley

Chris Wood

Mike Battcock

Emma Malric

Zoé Sottiaux

Walter How

Ihor Obukhobvskyi

Nigel Timms

Ian Baird

Steve Dato

Julien Fradin 

Joffrey Zeitouni

Igor Velichko

Pavel Mamichev

Kornel Makarowicz

Abner Marin

Lucas Cuenca

Giuseppe Bufalo

Florian Mounie

Kimon Matara

GFX: Jess Gorick 

Concept Art:

Heri Irawan 

Hans Park

Gary Sanchez

Michal Karcz

Kenny Kong

Michael Michera

Billy Robers

Maco Iozzi

Colourist: Lewis Crossfield

Music Supervisor: Jesper Gadeberg

Audio Post Production: Anthony Moore & Phil Bolland – Factory Studios

Audio Producer: Lucy Spong

Soundtrack name and composer: Greenscreen – Karl Zine