Virgin Trains Customers Invited to ‘Fly’

On Saturday 1st June, Virgin Trains launches a 60” TV spot ‘Fly Virgin Trains’. Created by Elvis, the advert celebrates the speed and elegance whilst travelling with Virgin Trains.

Centred around the story of two travellers and their journey, the advert showcases the style, comfort and speed of the Virgin Trains service while a romantic plot of stolen glances plays out between the characters onboard. 

 

The ad is inspired by romance and style of the golden age of travel, but brought bang up to date with a contempory art direction, backed by the 1958 Dean Martin classic Volare.

It’s the latest phase of Virgin Trains’ £7m “Fly” campaign launched by Elvis earlier this year to drive increased modal shift, and get people considering train travel over other modes of transport. 

60” and 40” ads will run throughout June and July across TV, cinema & VOD. Media was planned and bought by Manning Gottlieb OMD. 

Danny Gonzalez, Head of Marketing, Virgin Trains said “Following the franchise challenges Virgin Trains have faced recently we are delighted to be able to promote the business and brand with our first new TV ad for 4 years. The ad showcases all the great benefits you get when travelling with Virgin Trains over other modes of transport; journey speed, great product and customer experience. All wrapped in an entertaining story of two characters sharing a journey backed with a classic soundtrack. We’re very proud of the end result and are confident it will drive successful growth for the Virgin Trains brand.”

John Treacy, Creative Director, Elvis says, “The commercial is a modern twist on the golden age of travel that’s delivered with a real dollop of cinematic style. It combines the effortless feeling of flying through the countryside at 125mph with a little bit of onboard romance. It’s stylish, fun, and most importantly, unmistakably Virgin.  ”.

Credits

Creative agency: Elvis 
Executive Creative Director: John Treacy 
Copywriter: Ken Taylor 
Art Director: Gavin McDonald
Planner: Damian McKeown
Account team: Tom Duckham, Emma Bottomley, Tom Bayliss
TV Producer: Bradley Woodus
Assistant TV producer: Malika Patel
Production Company: Outsider
Director: Vesa Manninen
Producer: Stephen Elgar
DOP: Steve Chivers
Editor: Joe Guest at Final Cut
Post Production: Big Buoy
Flame Operator: Pete Young
Sound: Sam Ashwell at 750mph