Bolt given the run-around by Broadbandits in new Virgin Media ad

Usain Bolt finds himself sharing his superfast broadband connection with some unlikely housemates and a trio of cute but cunning gadget rascals in Virgin Media s latest ad campaign. First airing on primetime ITV during Mr Selfridge on Sunday, 1st February, the ads celebrate the power of Virgin Media's superior fibre optic network, which provides the UK's best widely available broadband for streaming1.

Usain is joined by various animal archetypes which exhibit the different ways people consume entertainment and stay connected using Virgin Media's broadband services. The ad campaign sees the return of Ed the Sofa Bear and Ally the Night Owl and the introduction of new characters Chloe the Chatterparrot and three cheeky racoons known as the Broadbandits. Each character makes the most of Virgin Media's powerful network as they all go online at the same time to do the things they enjoy.

In the first ad, called Broadbandits', Usain is streaming the latest Netflix release on a tablet while surrounded by three young racoons. His screen is deftly swiped by a racoon who wants to watch Rio 2, then the other racoons pinch his phone and laptop. A voiceover explains broadband from Virgin Media stays superfast, even when everyone in the home is connected. Usain grabs the TiVo remote to the dismay of the racoons who turn to look at him. He says Don't even think about it! before sitting back to stream Netflix on TV.

In the second ad, called Full House', Usain heads to his living room to play a game online. He finds the sofa is already occupied by Ed the Sofa Bear, watching TV. Meanwhile Ally the Night Owl, who is streaming a box set on her tablet, and Chloe the Chatterparrot, busily Skyping a friend, are in the other rooms. When Usain finally finds a quiet spot in the loft he starts to play a game on his tablet, but is interrupted by a disapproving Ally, who makes him turn the volume down.

Richard Larcombe, Director of Brand and Marketing at Virgin Media, said: As Usain finds out in our latest campaign, customers are using more connected devices around the home than ever before. As our superfast broadband is powered by the UK's best widely available network for streaming, it enables customers to enjoy the things they love online seamlessly even when lots of devices are being used at the same time. So the only thing they need to worry about is whether their own Broadbandits have run off with their gadgets.

Virgin Media customers can enjoy broadband speeds of up to 152Mb, twice as fast as any other major provider, with Virgin Media's Big Kahuna' bundle2 from £39 a month for 12 months. This bundle also includes the highly acclaimed TiVo with over 230 TV channels with over 40 in HD, including BT Sport, more channels on the go than any other provider, as well as a home phone, and service and repairs included at no extra cost. All Virgin Media TiVo customers can also access Virgin TV Anywhere for free from their iOS or Android device allowing them to stream 103 channels live over WiFi.

Virgin Media's Big Bundles have transformed the way in which home communications and entertainment services can be bought. The bundles offer unprecedented flexibility and value to consumers all under-pinned by Virgin Media's market leading fibre optic network. Details of the full range of Virgin Media Big Bundles can be found here: www.virginmedia.com

The ad campaign was created by BBH, with media planning handled by Fifty6, and will also run in cinema, display, online search, social media Video on Demand, print and out of home.

LINK:	http://about.virginmedia.com/press-release/9466/bolt-given-the-run-aro...
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