Virgin Atlantic, Virgin America and Virgin Australia are collaborating for the first time with an advertising campaign in Los Angeles.
The multi-media “Virgin Skies” campaign includes digital billboards across the LA area, including a video billboard on Sunset Boulevard.
Banner ads and film snippets will appear on websites including latimes.com, laist.com, nytimes.com, guardiannews.com, yelp.com, youtube.com, blip.tv and hulu.com.
The centerpiece of the campaign is an independent short film called Departure Date shot in 20 hours, across three continents and on three commercial flights while at 35,000 feet.
The film stars Ben Feldman from Mad Men and Nicky Whelan from Hall Pass.
The three airlines’ joint advertising campaign and website at www.flyvirgin.com highlights their “innovative approach” to travel.
Virgin America marketing director Dimitrios Papadogonas said: “In an industry that has become dominated by dismal service, this campaign brings to life how Virgin airlines are continuing to redefine the in-flight experience around the globe.”
Virgin Atlantic marketing vice president Simon Bradley added: “Los Angeles is one of the most glamorous cities in the world, with its style, fame and deep roots in the entertainment industry.
“It’s also the only destination that brings all three Virgin airlines together with multiple flights per day to cities across the globe.
“From the beginning, we knew our campaign should live in Los Angeles and we chose a movie as the best way to celebrate all that is great about LA. Departure Date is our love story to Los Angeles where anything can happen and dreams can come true.”
Virgin Group founder Sir Richard Branson said: “Virgin airlines have swept all the awards for having the best entertainment systems in the skies but a movie about falling in love with a stranger onboard a Virgin plane: now that’s in-flight entertainment.”