Comments on: Virgin on a loss of brand-loyalty http://james.cridland.net/blog/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/ Radio futurologist and beer drinker Mon, 21 May 2012 11:08:42 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: DAB on a Voyager - Page 2 | hilpers http://james.cridland.net/blog/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-766 DAB on a Voyager - Page 2 | hilpers Sun, 18 Jan 2009 18:36:44 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/09/24/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-766 [...] Re: DAB on a Voyager Roland Perry wrote: > In message <006b64cf$0$10294$c3e8da3>, at 22:15:39 on > Thu, 21 Aug 2008, memyself remarked: > >>> So if you're on Orange you get a brilliant signal in a Voyager fitted >>> with the kit, but everyone else struggles to send text messages, let >>> alone talk. >> >> >> Yes. Virgin phones do not work on Virgin trains > > > Definitely one for the "you couldn't make it up" file. But then the connections between the various 'Virgins' is tenuous and confusing: http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/...brand-loyalty/ [...] [...] Re: DAB on a Voyager Roland Perry wrote: > In message <006b64cf$0$10294$c3e8da3>, at 22:15:39 on > Thu, 21 Aug 2008, memyself remarked: > >>> So if you’re on Orange you get a brilliant signal in a Voyager fitted >>> with the kit, but everyone else struggles to send text messages, let >>> alone talk. >> >> >> Yes. Virgin phones do not work on Virgin trains > > > Definitely one for the "you couldn’t make it up" file. But then the connections between the various ‘Virgins’ is tenuous and confusing: http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/…brand-loyalty/ [...]

]]> By: Farewell, then, Virgin Radio - blog - James Cridland http://james.cridland.net/blog/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-765 Farewell, then, Virgin Radio - blog - James Cridland Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:03:04 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/09/24/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-765 [...] 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 [...] [...] 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 http://james.cridland.net/blog/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-764 James Clayton Mon, 15 Oct 2007 17:15:46 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/09/24/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-764 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. 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 http://james.cridland.net/blog/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-763 John Parker Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:23:04 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/09/24/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-763 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. 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 http://james.cridland.net/blog/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-762 Jack Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:53:22 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/09/24/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-762 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. 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 http://james.cridland.net/blog/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-761 David Wright Fri, 28 Sep 2007 17:24:55 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/09/24/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-761 Good article but....why is it a shock that Birmingham is a nice place? Good article but….why is it a shock that Birmingham is a nice place?

]]> By: Ben Perreau http://james.cridland.net/blog/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-760 Ben Perreau Fri, 28 Sep 2007 15:06:44 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/09/24/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-760 What about Sky sponsoring the Virgin Radio breakfast show? Arf. What about Sky sponsoring the Virgin Radio breakfast show? Arf.

]]> By: Helen Blaby http://james.cridland.net/blog/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-759 Helen Blaby Wed, 26 Sep 2007 10:22:29 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/09/24/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-759 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. 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 http://james.cridland.net/blog/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-758 Frankie Roberto Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:04:51 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/09/24/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-758 Oh - another interesting fact. New Eurostar trains have no payphones (as everyone has mobiles now), and instead have power sockets for chargers and laptops. 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 http://james.cridland.net/blog/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-757 Frankie Roberto Tue, 25 Sep 2007 14:03:43 +0000 http://james.cridland.net/blog/2007/09/24/virgin-on-a-loss-of-brand-loyalty/#comment-757 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. 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.

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