Virgin Money game for a laugh with new campaign
Virgin Money is shaking up the traditional approach to direct response TV advertising with a series of insurance spots that are set to tickle the funny bone.
Created by The Works, the campaign for Virgin Money’s Income Protection and Life insurances uses humour to get people thinking about insurance in a different way.
The Life Insurance spot features a try-hard, stand-up comedian whose tragic ‘performance’ was discovered on YouTube by Virgin Money.
Mike Gamms, writer and want-to-be-megastar’s unfunny jokes fail to get a laugh and he figuratively dies on stage. The key message: ‘We all die. But we don’t all have cover. Virgin Money provides life insurance for all types of people. Even him.’
Gamms revealed his delight at having received the call up to star inVirgin Money’s latest ad: "People have doubted me all my life. They said I wasn't funny, that I was nothing but another cornball. Well take me out of the microwave, because it looks like this cornball has finally popped!"
Both ads feature the track ‘Leaves’ by upcoming poprock band Cheers Elephant from Philadelphia. Virgin Money was drawn to the band’s upbeat, playful and energetic sound, described by USA Today as “easy to love and hard to ignore”, values shared with the Virgin Money brand.
Kevin Macmillan, creative partner at The Works, said: “Direct response advertising can be very traditional in execution but it doesn’t need to be. Virgin is a vibrant and disruptive brand. It’s natural that we should look for engaging ways to break with tradition and give people a smile. We’ve aimed to deliver a serious message with warmth and charm.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CBRORiRImw0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qGSVRt4syPk
Please login with linkedin to comment
Latest News
More Heat For Coke’s Customisation Tool As It Bans ‘Palestine’, ‘Black Lives Matter’ And ‘Mohammed’ But Not ‘White Pride’
Coke’s customisable bottle tool has blocked the name Mohammed – the world’s third most popular name – and ‘Palestine’. Yesterday, Coca-Cola was exposed for blocking customers from adding the words ‘lesbian’ or ‘Gay Pride’ to it’s customisable Coke bottle while allowing ‘White Pride’ and ‘Cock Suckers’. Now, further investigation has revealed a number of other […]
“You Cannot Be Serious!” New Campaign Shows Wimbledon Is A Global Force
Wimbledon kicks off NEXT Monday with high hopes the Aussie male contingent will completely embarrass us all as usual.
Marks & Spencer Confronts Traditional Classifications Of ‘Nude’ In New Underwear Range
If Marks & Spencer excels at anything it's quality underpants, Christmas puddings & white nostalgic British imperalism.
Oasis Still Flogging Back Catalogue In Schmaltzy Outing For Bank Ad
B&T says crank this Oasis-led bank ad up to full volume. At least until a colleague says "turn that f@cking shit down."
Dir David Attenborough’s Life Stories Launches On LiSTNR
Natural historian Sir David Attenborough is one of the most commanding and respected storytellers in the world and now the iconic series, David Attenborough Life Stories, is available on LiSTNR as part of SCA’s recently announced partnership with the BBC. David Attenborough Life Stories is a series of talks on the natural histories of creatures and […]
Menulog Makes Key Marketing Promotions
Menulog has doubled down on its marketing support for restaurant partners, with the promotion of Senior Marketing Manager, Rami Tamer, to a newly created role of ‘Head of Partner Marketing’, as well as the promotion of former-Blue 449 Performance Manager, Jaryd Buggins. In the new Head of Partner Marketing role, Rami will lead a team […]
Barry Drinkwater Leaves ARN Brisbane After 28 Years, Will Hand Over Reins To Alisson Longhurst
ARN has announced Barry Drinkwater will be handing over his content director reins at 97.3FM and 4KQ to respected radio executive, Alisson Longhurst. Drinkwater has had a stellar career in radio spanning more than four decades, and was acknowledged as one of Australia’s Top 20 Content Directors by Radio Today in 2020. He began his radio career […]
Why Pissed Off Customers Can Be A Brand’s Biggest Fan
Do your customers hate your guts? Don't send them faecal matter in the post says this pro, rather harness their power.
The Big Issue Celebrates 25th Anniversary With New Campaign, ’25 Years Big’, Via Town Square And Carat
Australia’s largest social enterprise is turning 25. On the anniversary of Australia’s first Big Issue magazine being sold on the steps of Melbourne’s Flinders Street Station in June 1996, Town Square has created a campaign to mark the occasion. 25 Years Big is a celebratory statement of pride, rendered in the iconic Big Issue logo […]
Australian Radio Industry Joins Global Working Group On Android Automotive
The Australian commercial radio industry has joined a global working group of broadcasters, carmakers and tech experts collaborating on the innovation of radio in Android Automotive. Android Automotive is Google’s infotainment operating system which is being built into new connected cars. Industry body Commercial Radio Australia is part of the working group, led by the […]
“Man Of The Year!” Vox Popped Pensioner’s Heartwarming Views On Immigration Becomes Viral Smash
Need a little humanity boost? Well, look no further than British pensioner and local Batley and Spen (just north of Manchester) resident, Malcolm Haigh. Haigh – a retired journalist and historian – was vox popped by a local TV crew about upcoming local elections in the area when he was probed about the area’s high […]
SBS Appoints Head And Commissioning Editor Of Scripted, Boosting Drama Team
Want to feign being smarter than you really are? Well, you could watch the SBS or listen to Radiohead's earlier stuff.
Amy Shark, Delta Goodrem And Guy Sebastian To Guest Host iHeart Radio’s TikTok Trending
Amy Shark, Delta Goodrem and Guy Sebastian, along with some of Australia’s hottest TikTok creators and artists, are giving music lovers rare insights into their favourite trends and tunes as guest hosts of TikTok Trending on iHeartRadio. TikTok Trending on iHeartRadio has been broadcasting 24/7 as part of a partnership between ARN’s iHeartRadio Australia and TikTok which was announced in April. With […]
Triple M’s No Talk Day Returns To Inspire Conversation Around Men’s Mental Health
For the third consecutive year, Triple M’s No Talk Day will return on Thursday July 1 to raise awareness around men’s mental health and encourage courageous conversations on Triple M’s 45 stations across the country with support from partner Beyond Blue. From 6:00am – 6:00pm on July 1, Triple M is encouraging listeners to clear […]
Wednesday TV Wrap: With No Hard Quiz, Travel Guides Easily Wins Non-News Programming
Other than naked squash or having your privates waxed, is there anything better on a Wednesday than a night of telly?
Thrive PR Wins SodaStream Account
Thrive PR + Communications will be adding SodaStream to its list of global consumer-lifestyle brands, after being appointed as its Public Relations company of record in Australia. The win follows a competitive pitch that will see Thrive manage the sparkling water brand’s earned media relations, press office, and gifting program. Thrive will also be responsible […]
72andSunny Sydney Promotes Ross Berthinussen To President Following Chris Kay’s Shock Exit
72andSunny Sydney has appointed Ross Berthinussen (main photo) to the role of president leading the Sydney office. Berthinussen’s promotion follows yesterday’s surprise news that the agency’s CEO, Chris Kay, had snared the rather prestigious role of CEO of Saatchi & Saatchi’s UK office. Read B&T’s reporting here. Berthinussen has been executive strategy director of the […]
Rebounding Ad Industry Sees Google Jump Up Most Valuable Brand Ranks
Amazon has secured the title of most valuable global brand for the third year running, but rival tech giants such as Apple and Google are breathing down the neck of the Jeff Bezos founded site. Data and insights company Kantar has released its BrandZ report for 2021, detailing the most valuable brands globally based on […]
Taiwan Receives First Ever Grand Prix In Cannes Lions Live Day Three, While Lil Nas X, Fortnite And Tinder Win Big
Cannes Lions Live Day Three saw the announcement of winners in the Craft Track and Entertainment Track, in partnership with Unity, as well as an exciting first, with Taiwan awarded its first Grand Prix. On the Australian front, awards were slightly slower, with Aussie agencies recognised only in the Digital Craft Lions. These Lions award […]
62% Of Shoppers Doing Most Of Their Purchases Online: BigCommerce And PayPal Report
Consumer shifts in how and where people buy products evolved significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating new opportunities for retailers to use new channels, fulfilment strategies and payment options, according to the results of a new survey out today from BigCommerce and PayPal. While a majority of the 3,000 consumers surveyed from the United States, United Kingdom […]
From ‘Over-Contextualising’ To Updating Creative: Everything You Need To Know About Contextual Advertising
With Google pressing ahead with its plan to deprecate third-party cookies in the near future, it seems many marketers are now looking at contextual advertising as a way to meet consumer expectations in an increasingly privacy-focused world. Despite the newfound popularity of contextual advertising, it is not a new principle. In fact, advertisers have been […]
New Talent Agency, Liquorice Plants Roots In NZ
The brainchild of co-founders Gina Williams-Folau (main photo) and Greer Bland, the talent agency Liquorice was born out of a desire to make things easier for brand managers. Liquorice offers social talent for brands wanting to hit the sweet spot with Kiwi audiences. Launching with a roster of big names on board including Millie Elder-Holmes, Athena […]
Anglicare WA Makes Winter Chill Contagious In Campaign Via Wunderman Thompson
9000 Western Australians experiencing homelessness are about to face cold winter nights. To call for donations to the 2021 Winter Appeal, Anglicare WA has released a chilling video with renowned actor Liam Graham, best known for his starring roles in Greenfield and The Heights, experiencing mild hypothermia after spending one hour in a commercial freezer. […]
Blackmagic Design Helps Create Latest Ad For Chris Hemsworth’s Centr Fitness App
Blackmagic Design has shared how its products were used to shoot the latest commercial campaign for Chris Hemsworth’s fitness training app, Centr. The new campaign, which promotes the progressive 10 week workout plan ‘Power’ replicates the same protocols used to prepare the actor for his latest appearance in the upcoming Marvel franchise film, Thor: Love […]
What’s That? New Cannes In Cairns Speakers? Oh Yes, There’s More!
Look at this Cannes In Cairns' speaker list! Plus, we're yet to hear back from Vince Sorrenti and Ray 'Rabbits' Warren.
Webprofits To Aggressively Drive Airtasker’s UK Growth Plan
Airtasker has chosen leading independent digital growth consultancy, Webprofits as a strategic partner to help them expand to new markets. Following a successful IPO in early 2021, Airtasker set its sights on the next strategic objective — expansion and growth in the UK market. After careful review, they partnered with the growth marketing specialists at […]
Report: Print Readership In Australia Has Halved Since 2016
Print continues its sharp decline amid real concerns options are running out for the cat to do its business on.
The Australian Olympic Committee Urges Aussies To ‘Have A Go’ Via M&C Saatchi
This ad urges us to get into the Olympic spirit sans lighting a large cauldron & throwing javelins at the neighbours.
Nazeem Hussain Mistaken For Waleed Aly In TV Listing Fail
A pall of racism has fallen over the TV listings guide. In even bigger shock, people still reading TV listings guide.
Coke’s Customisable Pride Bottle Won’t Let You Add The Word ‘Lesbian’, But Will Let You Put ‘C*ck S*ckers’
Always wanted to send your mum a bottle of Coke with the Pride flag & 'c*cksuker' on the label? Light up her day here.
