Comments on: Virgin on a loss of brand-loyalty

By: Farewell, then, Virgin Radio - blog - James Cridland

Farewell, then, Virgin Radio - blog - James Cridland — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:03:04 +0000

[...] in September last year, I wrote a piece about how Virgin companies didn’t care much for their own brands. I cited the example of Virgin Trains promoting BBC [...]

By: James Clayton

James Clayton — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:15:46 +0000

I don’t think Virgin Media is 100% owned by Branson. He sold Virgin mobile to them for around and 18% share of newly merged NTL Telewest. The company behind Virgin Media is called NTL Incorporated, and they have a 20 year licence to use the Virgin name under certain conditions. Richard Branson is on the board of directors, but Bill Huff (sp?) is the guy who seems to be giving the orders and running things.

By: John Parker

John Parker — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:23:04 +0000

On a recent visit (actually about 2 years ago) to Virgin radio I was also surprised to see fridges full of Coke and not a sign of Virgin Cola.

I’m not sure what you have to do to brand something as a Virgin product. Perhaps it’s a good policy, that it doesn’t necessarily bring benefits/obligations to other Virgin stuff.

Take a Darwinist view - each line has to survive in it’s niche or die. If Virgin radio had to promote Virgin Cola and it was rubbish, both products are tarnished to some degree.

By: Jack

Jack — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:53:22 +0000

Have just got back from a two week trip to Italy, and Virgin Radio Italia made the driving we did a pleasure. Found only after a desperate search of the dial after getting sick of all other Italian stations which, with the exception of Radio Maria (hymns) they all have Toto on heavy repeat, Virgin Radio was a gem. How the Italians will take to it however, what with its British continuity announcer, I don’t know.

By: David Wright

David Wright — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:24:55 +0000

Good article but….why is it a shock that Birmingham is a nice place?

By: Ben Perreau

Ben Perreau — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:06:44 +0000

What about Sky sponsoring the Virgin Radio breakfast show? Arf.

By: Helen Blaby

Helen Blaby — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:22:29 +0000

You can buy a set of headphones in the buffet, I do believe. At least you could the last time I was on one (some time ago, cos I now drive to work - early shift perils)

I don’t mind Euston, James…it’s better than Kings Cross, imho.

By: Frankie Roberto

Frankie Roberto — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:04:51 +0000

Oh - another interesting fact. New Eurostar trains have no payphones (as everyone has mobiles now), and instead have power sockets for chargers and laptops.

By: Frankie Roberto

Frankie Roberto — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:03:43 +0000

I never see anyone listening to the in-built radio on Virgin trains. Mostly I think this is because if you happen to have headphones with you, then you also have something else to plug your headphones into (your iPod, laptop, radio, whatever) - and the thing you own and are familiar with easily out-competes the in-built radio that you’re not familar with.

Of course, the exception might be if the batteries run out on your own device - but then the Pendolinos have power sockets, and iPod batteries last a while nowadays anyway.

Perhaps if all trains had a similar feature, people would be more likely to bring their own headphones specially - as it is, the feature isn’t something you’d expect, and is easily forgotten about.

The one good thing is that the on-train shop does sell cheapo headphones - but they never really seem to advertise this much.

By: William T

William T — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 09:30:45 +0000

I wonder if they can/ever will swap out the FM receivers and replace them with DAB (Five Live, for example, is a notable absentee in this list.) Of course, the locations and cuttings the train travels through may have lousy DAB reception…

Do you have to bring your own headphones? Many passengers listening?

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:20:05 +0000

Virgin One (the bank account) has merely been rebranded The One Account - but their website's still there. I stumbled upon it the other day when trying to find out about Virgin 1, the TV station soon to take the place of FTN.