Press releases

COPY CAPS

Virgin Mobile still offers unlimited standard national calls and texts – all day, every day for our Members – pre & post.

Our apologies if this press release causes déjà vu.

Virgin Mobile is delighted to continue giving all of our Your Cap Pre-Paid and Rollover Cap Post-Paid plan customers the same benefits (and more) that Vodafone & 3 are now proudly giving to some of their customers.

We see that our friends in the telco industry have just announced a new range of Post-Paid cap plans. We think unlimited talk and text to people on your network is a great idea. In fact we've been doing the same thing for years!” said Anthony Hearne, Marketing Director, Virgin Mobile Australia.

At Virgin Mobile we already offer both new AND existing, Your Cap Pre-Paid AND Rollover Cap Post-Paid plan Members unlimited mobile talk & text to other Members in Oz. Better yet, we don’t charge you to call yourself, with free voicemail in Australia, 24 hours a day, seven days a week”.

Maybe that's why we have the most satisfied customers in the business”, he said, referring to the latest Roy Morgan figures released this week that once again show Virgin Mobile tops the list of mobile phone providers when it comes to customer satisfaction.

Virgin Mobile is also excited to announce that they continue to enable ALL Members to use all their included Cap value on International voice calling and texting, ensuring it’s just as easy as before to stay in touch with family and friends in Australia or overseas.

We’re happy to say that ALL Virgin Mobile Members of on Rollover Cap Post-Paid Plans – whether it’s above or below $49 per month - also receive a generous monthly data allowance to enjoy the Internet, email and other data on the go,” said Anthony. “Also we are currently giving our Your Cap Pre-Paid members a big surprise of an extra 1GB of data with EVERY Your Cap recharge¹.

In November 2009 Virgin Mobile launched a suite of Rollover Cap Plans – the first in Australia that allow customers to roll over unused included talk & text from one month to the next.

All of our plans offer each and every Virgin Mobile Member unbeatable value. But what really separates us from our competitors is the fact that we treat our customers like Members. That means access to a host of extra benefits ranging from Virgin Family offers such as Velocity points, mobile credit when you fly with Virgin Blue, and VIP access to gigs and even a free beer on Friday. Cheers!” said Anthony.

Virgin Mobile just reached our millionth Member and we're growing fast. We’ve got lots of big plans this year so there’s never been a better time to jump on the Virgin Mobile ‘bandwagon’. We’re certain this announcement will rattle the market. It will make it clear that if you want to be treated like a Member, not a number, and want incredible value, flexibility and freedom, Virgin Mobile STILL has you covered,” added Anthony.

To check out all the great benefits available to Virgin Mobile Members, please see: www.memberslounge.com.au

-ENDS-

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Notes to Editors

For a full outline of the Rollover Cap plans, and terms and conditions, please see: http://www.virginmobile.com.au/rollover/

For more information please contact:
Jess Makin – One Green Bean – 02 9699 9503 – Jess@onegreenbean.com.au
Sarah Blades – Virgin Mobile – 0434 939 591 – sarah.blades@virginmobile.com.au

¹ Subject to a maximum accumulation of 5GB at any one time.

You Should Get What You Pay For Says Virgin Mobile

Virgin Mobile Launches Australia’s First Rollover Cap Plans

Sydney, 17 November 2009 – It’s not unreasonable to expect to get what you pay for, but according to new research from Virgin Mobile, nine out of ten Australian mobile users on a cap plan, are currently paying for talk and text value that they don’t use. In fact, Virgin Mobile data shows that those on capped plans lose an average of $1,200 worth of talk or text value in a single year because it expires at the end of the month, rather than rolling over to the next month.

In an Australian first, Virgin Mobile has introduced a new suite of Rollover Cap Plans that allow Post-Paid Virgin Mobile Members to roll over any unused included talk & text and use it within the following month³.

"We believe you should get what you pay for and are proud to be the first mobile phone company in Australia to offer a cap that allows you to rollover unused talk & text value to the following month," said Anthony Hearne, Virgin Mobile’s Marketing Director.

The research reveals that those on a monthly cap plan, on average use their full talk & text allowance less than twice a year, with the rest of their credit going to waste. Further, eight out of ten Australian mobile users said they would use their phone differently if they knew they had extra credit rolled over from the previous month. Two thirds say they would feel less worried about making calls; 38% would talk for longer and 36% would make more calls.

According to the survey of 1,020 people, 87% of Australian mobile users feel cheated when they don’t use their entire cap plan and a staggering 93% would consider switching carriers for a plan which allowed them to rollover unused value.

"We recognise that mobile phone usage may vary from month to month and are constantly evolving our plans to ensure our customers can spend their mobile budget to get more of what they want from their mobile phone," said Anthony. "We also continue to offer our customers unlimited free mobile talk & text 24/7 between Virgin customers, reflecting our ongoing commitment to offer flexibility and value to all of our Members."

Virgin Mobile launched its suite of nine Post-Paid Rollover Cap plans, including two options for iPhone, last week. The new suite will now see any included talk & text value that isn’t used, automatically roll over into the next month to be used after the next months included talk and text is exhausted. The new plans also include international calls, unlimited mobile talk & text to other mobile Members, free voicemail and a mobile internet data allowance. Recognising that their Members interact more online than any other telco, Virgin Mobile also offers the option to increase their mobile internet data allowance on a Rollover Cap Plus plan.

"Recent customer research found that the ability to rollover unused talk & text value had the highest customer appeal out of a range of possible mobile offers. As a result we have introduced Australia’s first Rollover Cap plans."

The Virgin Mobile research found that there are a number of other things Australian mobile users also pay for and don’t use. In the past month, 74% have thrown out food that went bad, 21% bought newspapers that were never read, 11% paid for gym memberships they didn’t use and 9% bought train tickets where the return journey was never used.

Snapshot of Rollover Cap Plans*
You Pay (min cost over 24 months)	Included Talk & Text	Mobile Internet Data	PLUS:
19 ($456)	$50	5MB	Rollover your unused Talk & Text3 Unlimited mobile Talk & Text 24/7 to other mobile Members FREE voicemail in Oz International Talk & Text included
29 ($696)	$150	20MB
39 ($936)	$250	30MB
49 ($1176)	$350	50MB
59 ($1416)	$450	50MB
79 ($1896)	$700	50MB
99 ($2376)	$1000	50MB

* For a full outline of the Rollover Cap plans, and terms and conditions, please see: http://www.virginmobile.com.au/rollover

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Notes to Editors

• Please note, included talk & text rolls over for one month only and is used after the current month’s included talk and text is exhausted.
• Mobile Internet data doesn't roll over.


For more information please contact: Jess Makin – One Green Bean – 02 9699 9503 – Jess@onegreenbean.com.au
Sarah Blades – Virgin Mobile – 0434 939 591 – sarah.blades@virginmobile.com.au

¹The research was conducted online by Galaxy Research in May 2009 with 1,025 Australians aged 18 and over who own or are the primary user of a mobile phone.
²This was calculated based on Virgin Mobile customers who have used a Post-Paid cap plan in the past 24 months
³Any unused talk & text credit rolls over to the following month only and is used after the following month’s included talk & text is exhausted. Data does not rollover.

Virgin Mobile WiFi Modem allows up to three users to be online at any one time

Today Virgin Mobile launched Australia’s first mobile broadband WiFi modem - the Virgin Mobile WiFi Modem. Powered by a rechargeable lithium battery, the Virgin Mobile WiFi Modem sends out a signal allowing up to three users to simultaneously connect to the internet, at 3G speeds using the Optus 3G (Dual Band) Network , without the need for wires or cables.

Sleek and compact, the Virgin Mobile WiFi Modem is smaller than a computer mouse and weighs a mere 90g. With a range of 15 metres it also features a Micro SD card slot that supports up to 32GB of memory, making it the ultimate mobile broadband solution.

Virgin Mobile’s CEO Peter Bithos commented, “The internet plays an ever-increasing role in the lives of our Members – from communication to business to entertainment. We’re thrilled to be the first in Australia to offer the choice between a standard USB modem or the Virgin Mobile WiFi Modem allowing them to access a range of internet-enabled devices at once without the need for cables”

During October, Pre-Paid Virgin Mobile WiFi Modem starter packs are available exclusively from Dick Smith for $199. They include a Virgin Mobile WiFi Modem and, for a limited time,1GB of data. From December, the Virgin Mobile WiFi Modem will be available from all major retailers with both Pre- and Post-Paid options.

“In line with our other Mobile Broadband products, Virgin Mobile WiFi Modem offers Members exceptional value combined with flexibility and ease of use, making it even easier for Members to connect with other Members, wherever they may be,” said Bithos.

According to Nick Klay, Communications Buyer for Dick Smith “We are committed to providing our customers with the latest technology and leading brands in all categories. The Virgin modem compliments our already extensive mobile range, enabling us to provide our customers with a wide range of solutions to meet their technology needs.”

Top-up options

Notes to Editors

• Data includes uploads & downloads & charged per KB
• Support of 802.11 b/g WiFi standards
• 10GB monthly limit, excess data rolls over to the next calendar month
• Acceptable use policy applies
• Modem is network locked and can be released after topping up with $80

To arrange a review please contact:
Katie Dufficy – Fuel Communications - 02 9213 2313 - kdufficy@fuelcommunications.com.au

For more information please contact:
Jess Makin – One Green Bean – 02 9699 9503 – Jess@onegreenbean.com.au
Sarah Blades – Virgin Mobile – 0434 939 591 – sarah.blades@virginmobile.com.au

Broadband speeds are available in the Optus Dual Band (2100MHZ / 900 MHZ) network. Outside of these areas users fall back to Optus’ GSM/GPRS network. See Virginmobile.com.au for info and coverage details.

A Fresh Direction for Virgin Mobile Australia
Online Growth; Member Benefits; New Look and Feel

Sydney, 29th Sept 2009 – It’s nicer to be treated like a member than be reminded you’re a customer. Virgin Mobile Australia (VMA) made a number of major announcements today revealing a new web presence and concept store. Virgin Mobile also unveiled an exciting new brand platform, new look and feel and a refreshed approach moving forward.

Virgin Mobile is investing in the customer experience like never before. Major investments into customer service areas have seen complaints reduced by 25% - more than any other telco in Australia.

In a nutshell, Virgin Mobile Australia (VMA) is changing how it does things and it is excited.

Business Growth: Leading Online Presence and New Concept Store
About to sign up its one-millionth customer, Virgin Mobile is growing and will soon be seen in more places than ever before both online and offline.

Virgin Mobile members interact more online than any other telco, with mobile broadband and Internet-enabled mobile phone services making the web more intrinsic to their everyday life. In response to this, Virgin Mobile has increased its focus on building a robust and engaging online presence.

The first stage of this, is the refresh of the www.virginmobile.com.au website and the addition of the Members Lounge portal. The second stage will be the relaunch of the Virgin Mobile e-shop later this year. It will be easier to navigate than ever before, offering new and existing members an improved online retail experience.

Supporting its increasing online presence, Virgin Mobile launched its first concept store on Pitt Street in Sydney today. Over the past few years, Virgin Mobile has doubled its retail footprint adding 13 kiosk in 2008. Virgin Mobile will continue to expand its retail footprint in Australia using the new store concept unveiled today.

The new Sydney hero store is designed using the latest interactive technology. Touch screens allow customers to easily browse and compare handset features as well as interact with the brand and the Members Lounge. Live handsets will enable customers to experience the features of the various phones on offer.

New brand platform – Members Welcome
Building on its existing Virgin philosophy of putting the customer at the heart of everything, Virgin Mobile is launching a refreshing new ‘Members Welcome’ brand strategy. This will see Virgin Mobile customers treated like members of a club with membership perks - not just at sign-up but for the lifetime of their membership. These benefits range from Virgin brand family offers to exclusive discounts, VIP access to music gigs and even free beer on Fridays . Cheers.

Peter Bithos, CEO of Virgin Mobile Australia said, “We believe there’s an opportunity for a mobile company that values its customers more and treats them better, whilst still providing great value. At Virgin Mobile we want a relationship with our members that goes beyond the transactional one.”

“We want to dial up our connection with them, engaging with members more online and in areas of interest outside of their mobile phone. Our existing customers are just as important to us as new ones so we’re excited to introduce a host of benefits that make being a loyal Virgin Mobile member even more rewarding.”

Virgin family perks will allow VMA members to benefit from a host of different Virgin offers, such as Velocity points, 10% back on Virgin Blue flights and more. With VMA’s new benefits plus ongoing unlimited free mobile talk & text 24/7 between members , VMA members will be able to connect with other members more easily.

Virgin Mobile has also secured an exclusive partnership with discount live entertainment ticket provider Lasttix.com.au. Virgin Mobile Members will jump the queue for priority Lasttix tickets to Live Music, Performing Arts, Comedy, Family, and Sport – another great benefit accessible through www.MembersLounge.com.au.

The Members Lounge
Along with these new member benefits, Virgin Mobile has launched a new Members’ Lounge portal (www.MembersLounge.com.au) on its website. Not just a website, but a destination, the Members Lounge is a digital space where members can go to view exclusive content, read bar and restaurant reviews, get special access to gigs and events, not to mention claim lots of great member benefits and exclusive offers.

Non-members can use a ‘guest pass’ to have a sneak peak at the Members Lounge but only VMA members will have full access to the exclusive content and benefits on offer.

Follow Members Lounge on Twitter to receive the latest news and member offers from Virgin Mobile.

Brand new look and feel
There would be no point in Virgin Mobile changing the way it does things without changing the way it looks, so as of this month you will see a whole new look for Virgin Mobile Australia. Starting with its new website www.virginmobile.com.au and moving right through to all of its point of sale, new store design and, in a nutshell, everything it does.

The refreshed Virgin Mobile website (www.VirginMobile.com.au) includes a new, simple to understand format for products and services as well as plan comparison tools to make checking, updating or changing your plan even easier.

VMA will be producing a monthly magazine with the latest offers, handsets, plans and lifestyle content, available through the stores or by mail on request.

Virgin Mobile Metro Exciting news for Sydney-based members is the sponsorship of Sydney’s contemporary music venue The Virgin Mobile Metro, giving members exclusive tickets and VIP benefits to this iconic music venue. This sponsorship is part of Virgin Mobile Australia’s ongoing commitment to music by providing customers with special access to gigs and festivals.

New Campaign Tying it all together is the new campaign all around members and the benefits they get. This highlights Virgin Mobile member benefits such as 10% back on Virgin Blue flights, free beers on Friday, free voicemail (Virgin Mobile is the only telco in Australia to offer this) and VIP gig access.

Revealing a new creative direction for Virgin Mobile, the TVC is shot like a film clip with a contemporary, ‘music video’ edge and energy. It is a completely different look and feel to anything Virgin Mobile have done before and will no doubt appeal to a wide audience of music lovers.

Peter Bithos said, “Virgin Mobile is always looking for further ways to provide members with a more rewarding experience, whether that’s in terms of coverage, getting online, the latest technology and handsets, access to stores or unique benefits that only the Virgin brand can provide.”

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Notes to Editors

For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
– One Green Bean – jess@onegreenbean.com.au or 0416 292 912
Rob Lowe – One Green Bean – rob@onegreenbean.com.au or 9699 9503

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ⁱ Free beer on Fridays is being trialled in NSW in October 2009 with a view to rolling out nationally by the end of the year
ⁱⁱ Pre-Paid needs 1c balance. All rates apply in Oz

Virgin Mobile Makes Its Mark In Australian Music History
~ Introducing The Virgin Mobile Metro ~

Sydney, Wednesday 16 September: Virgin Mobile Australia cemented its commitment to music today by announcing its sponsorship with the Sydney Metro Theatre which as from today has been officially renamed the Virgin Mobile Metro. Century Venues (owners of The Metro Theatre) and Virgin Mobile are thrilled to announce the collaboration which will safeguard the iconic venue’s future and support the contemporary live music artists that perform there.

The partnership includes venue enhancements that will benefit all music lovers, along with a host of VIP benefits for Virgin Mobile members. Meanwhile it will provide a platform for Metro bands to expand their audience through Virgin Mobile’s customer base.

Virgin Mobile said the sponsorship reflects Virgin Mobile’s ongoing commitment to supporting, encouraging, displaying and distributing great music. It also highlights its dedication to providing its ‘members’ with real time rewards and benefits in addition to optimal customer service.

"Music is part of Virgin Mobile’s DNA. We are thrilled with this partnership which enables us to support an iconic live music venue and the artists that perform there, whilst enhancing the Metro music experience for Virgin Mobile members and other music lovers," said Dave Cain, Virgin Mobile’s Experiential Marketing Manager.

Elia Eliades MD of Century Venues, agrees that the partnership is a natural alliance that will benefit contemporary live music and emerging artists.

"The partnership is a logical alliance that will benefit contemporary live music and emerging artists.

"Contemporary music is yet to receive the subsidies and formal endorsements that other live arts in Australia enjoy. As such, it’s up to those committed to a vibrant contemporary live music sector to create relationships that support this sector," Elia said.

The sponsorship will give Virgin Mobile special access to scheduled Metro gigs with tickets available for Virgin Mobile members through its new Members’ Lounge website ( www.MembersLounge.com.au).

At these gigs members will receive a free drink and food along with exclusive access to the new Virgin Mobile Members’ Lounge at Metro with comfortable seats and a prime view of the stage, plus opportunities for band ‘meet-and-greets’. Exclusive content from Members’ Gig bands will be made available to all Virgin Mobile members via the Members’ Lounge website, providing those bands with an opportunity to expand their audience reach to more than three quarters of a million Virgin Mobile customers nationally. After each gig, video content from the night, including backstage footage, will also be hosted online.

To celebrate the new partnership and its investment in the future of contemporary live music, Virgin Mobile is hosting a special gig at the Virgin Mobile Metro on Tuesday 29 September. Popular indie rock band Dappled Cities are headlining the gig and will launch their new single ‘The Night is Young at Heart’. They will be supported by The Seabellies. The Seabellies were winners of the first Garage2V in 2007 and have just recorded their debut LP in the USA and are launching their first single this month. People can register for free tickets to this event at www.MembersLounge.com.au.

"Virgin Mobile has supported a number of music initiatives in Australia that aim to enhance the music experience for Virgin Mobile customers including Garage2V and the V Festival."

"We hope this partnership with Metro will be the first of similar partnerships throughout the country for Virgin Mobile," said Dave Cain.

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For more information or to arrange an interview please contact:
Jess Makin – One Green Bean – jess@onegreenbean.com.au or 0416 292 912
Rob Lowe – One Green Bean – rob@onegreenbean.com.au or 9699 9503
Amber Morris – Virgin Mobile – amber.morris@virginmobile.com.au or 0403 999 821

Most Aussie mobile users are in the dark when it comes to the cost of voicemail. In fact, three out of four Australians with voicemail don’t know how much they are charged to retrieve messages, according to research^* released today by Virgin Mobile.

The study shows that, on average, Australians with voicemail use 14% of their cap plans on voicemail charges. This equates to an average of $71 in hard cash that most Aussies are unwittingly spending each year.

In the midst of a recession, Virgin Mobile CEO, Peter Bithos said, "Virgin Mobile believes that current voicemail charges are excessive and have become the equivalent of ATM fees in the Telco industry."

The research revealed that four in five (79%) mobile phone users would use voicemail more often if it were free, however Virgin Mobile is currently the only major provider that does not charge for voicemail, regardless of what plan the customer is on.

"We provide all of our customers with free voicemail and always have. Virgin Mobile customers can check their voicemails anywhere, anytime without worrying about the cost. We at Virgin Mobile are focussed on making it easy, simple and transparent for the customer. We can’t help but wonder why Telcos like 3 and Vodafone charge you to call yourself."

According to mobile phone users, only one out of every three messages is considered worth paying for. This means Australians with voicemail spend $46 a year on voicemail they don't even want to listen to.

The types of voicemail that annoy Australians most are blank messages (66%) and long and boring messages (37%). In addition, one in five people are frustrated by messages which simply say "I called" or "don’t worry about calling back".

Bithos says there is a need for other mobile operators, such as Vodafone and 3 Mobile, to clearly communicate and simplify all voicemail charges for consumers or get rid of them altogether.

"We have worked very hard to streamline our mobile caps and plans to ensure that along with receiving maximum value, our customers know what they are paying for – and what they really get for free. This allows each customer to spend their mobile budget on more of what they want from their mobile phone, and less on unwanted or unneeded fees." continued Bithos.

Virgin Mobile strongly recommends that when looking for value, customers go to http://yourcap.com.au to compare mobile plans and charges, including voicemail fees, from all the major Australian operators.

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Notes to Editors

For further information, state specific results or to arrange an interview with Peter Bithos, please contact:

Jess Makin – One Green Bean – 02 9699 9503 – 0416 292 912 - jess@onegreenbean.com.au
Marina Cukeric – One Green Bean – 02 9699 9503 – 0402 514 452 – marina@onegreenbean.com.au
Amber Morris – Virgin Mobile – 0403 999 821 – amber.morris@virginmobile.com.au

^* The research was conducted online by Galaxy Research in May 2009 with 1,025 Australians aged 18 and over who own or are the primary user of a mobile phone.

Virgin Mobile has launched ‘Right Music Wrongs’ – a groundbreaking new brand campaign highlighting Virgin Mobile’s ongoing commitment to music.

The campaign, designed to create consumer debate about what makes music good or bad, stars rapper Vanilla Ice apologising for his recording of ‘Ice Ice Baby’, the biggest selling rap song ever which has sold over 40 million copies since its launch in 1991. The video clip leads to the www.rightmusicwrongs.org website where viewers can vote Vanilla Ice innocent or guilty and nominate other artists for their music wrongs.

Since being placed on YouTube on Wednesday 4 March, the Vanilla Ice apology has been viewed over 300,000 times, attracting more than 1,700 comments. The original film is currently the #1 Most Discussed, Favourited and Commented music video on YouTube in Australia and is gaining considerable traction as far afield as Canada, India and the UK. The campaign has also been featured on global news site The Huffington Post, where it generated 6,000 additional video views within 3 hours and in the Sun Newspaper in the UK.

The website received 44,000 unique visitors in the first 72 hours. To date there have been over 250 new artists submitted for inclusion in the live vote and in excess of 27,000 votes for and against Vanilla Ice have been received.

Virgin Mobile’s Dave Cain explains, "Virgin Mobile believes that everyone has an opinion on music, from the extreme to the humble, and that this opinion covers a huge range of musical styles."

"We want Australians to decide for themselves what real music is and tell us by joining the debate. You only have to look at the number of comments on YouTube and votes and nominations on RightMusicWrongs.org to see that people have strong opinions and want to share them."

The campaign is the brainchild of the team at Droga5 and their collaboration with Thought By Them has helped bring the idea alive seamlessly across all of Virgin Mobile’s music properties. One Green Bean are providing publicity support and MPG have negotiated media buys.

Sudeep Gohil from Droga5 said, "Our goal at Droga5 is to create positive momentum for our clients' brands. In this instance our brief was to cement Virgin Mobile's credentials in the music environment by tapping into popular culture. We have been able to create a campaign that encourages genuine consumer involvement, on a moderate budget, by working with Vanilla Ice and one of the most recognisable songs on the planet – and judging by the results so far consumers want to have their voices heard."

Dave Cain continued, "Vanilla Ice has always polarised opinion on popular music which is why we wanted to work with him so much. Virgin Mobile will continue to excite debate about what our customers believe is real music and is committed to righting music wrongs through initiatives like Garage2V and V Festival."

The first phase of the campaign culminates with on ground activation at V Festival in Sydney (28 March), Gold Coast (29 March), Melbourne (4 April) and Perth (5 April) where Virgin Mobile will right music wrongs by providing customers with a VIP festival experience. This includes priority entrance, use of special viewing platforms at the main stages and access to the Virgin Mobile Louder Lounge where they can enjoy an exclusive bar and have the use of VIP toilets.

During the next month, the campaign will be supplemented by a series of online and print ads in major metropolitan newspapers, free street / music press and major online news destinations such as ninemsn and music sites such as Faster Louder and InTheMix.

Broadcast support will consist of full content programming on Nova including a series of 15 and 30 second ads, street activations and editorial support.

Ambient activity to sustain the campaign’s momentum will include targeted indoor posters, street posters and chalk stencilling on city streets. A variety of point of sale material has also been created to support the campaign in Virgin Mobile stores including posters, counter cards, flyers, stickers and badges.

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Notes to Editors

• Vanilla Ice YouTube video: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AbAUi7savsk)
• Right Music Wrongs website: www.rightmusicwrongs.org

For further information or to view other creative elements of the campaign contact:

• Jess Makin - One Green Bean - 02 9699 9503 / jess@onegreenbean.com.au
• Amber Morris – Virgin Mobile – 0403 999 821 / amber.morris@virginmobile.com.au

Virgin Mobile Australia today launched Your Cap, a new suite of post-paid caps that offer increased value and flexibility for consumers. The Your Cap suite consists of five cap plans all of which include international calls, free calls and texts to other Virgin Mobiles, free voicemail and a mobile data allowance.

Virgin Mobile’s new post-paid plans range from the $20 Your Cap (with $50 value plus 5MB mobile data) to the $95 Your Cap (with $850,value plus 50MB of mobile data). Customers are free to use the generous included value for standard national and international calls and texts to any network. New customers who choose to bring their own phone to a Your Cap plan will receive an additional 20% included value allowance.

The move is part of Virgin Mobile’s aim to streamline its offering to customers, focussing on the products which deliver maximum flexibility and value. The Virgin Mobile Your Cap plans set themselves apart from competitors by offering mobile data, free voicemail access and free Virgin-to-Virgin calls and texts.

Virgin Mobile Australia CEO, Peter Bithos said, “The introduction of Virgin Mobile’s Your Cap suite is in line with our strategy to give people flexibility and more of what they want. Our customer insights tell us that our customers are looking for post-paid caps that combine freedom with great value and unbeatable service.”

“We are proud today to be able to offer the Your Cap suite of plans which offer customers even more ways to stay in touch with their mates and data without it costing the earth.”

Monthly Access Fee	$20	$30	$45	$75	$95
Included Value – 24  month contract  Included Value – BYO  phone	$50   $60	$150   $180	$320   $385	$650   $780	$850   $1020
Included Mobile Data	5MB	20MB	50MB	50MB	50MB

See www.virginmobile.com.au for details.

 

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Notes to Editors

• Cap value can only be used for standard voice calls, text mobile data packs; 124 RED; excess mobile data usage;
• Vibe content will be billed in addition to the cap access fee
• Calls to national or international fixed or GSM mobile services to an overseas number or premium rated number will be billed
• Free Calls & Text: To Virgin Mobile numbers only. Fair excessive use (over 2500 minutes and/or 3000 text per month)
• Excess data is charged at a rate of 0.2 cents per KB

For further information or to view other creative elements of the campaign contact:

• Jess Makin - One Green Bean – 02 9699 9503
• Amber Morris – Virgin Mobile – 02 9028 0188 or 0403 999 821

Could your phone be suffering from EPS (Extreme Politeness Syndrome) or BGS (Beer Goggle Syndrome) where 'rogue' numbers and texts clog your SIM??

Research* released today by Virgin Mobile shows that Australians aged 18-34 are notorious for collecting unwanted phone numbers, collecting an average of 84 rogue numbers a year!

After the sociable festive season, it seems people everywhere have been enjoying one too many beverages and exchanging numbers, to find their phones littered with mystery numbers and no recollection of who they belong to. One in two Aussies aged 18-34 revealed that they have collected rogue numbers after a few drinks.

However, it is not always alcohol that encourages us to collect personal information from strangers. It seems the majority of us are simply painfully polite, with two thirds of Australians collecting phone numbers when faced with the situation of being asked for their number, then taking the stranger's number to be polite so as not to offend.

Other interesting findings from the research:

• 1 in 2 Australians collect numbers whilst under the influence of alcohol
• Two thirds of Australians can't say no to the offer of new numbers, claiming 'politeness' as the main reason
• NSW youths are the biggest networkers with three out of five (59%) saying the pick up rogue numbers at work functions
• 42% of Aussies have picked up rogue numbers while travelling out of town

It seems that men are no better than women, with both sexes admitting to stockpiling unknown numbers. Not surprisingly, it is the single gals and guys who are collecting and not deleting after a few drinks, with three out of five unmarried respondents admitting to collecting random numbers over a cocktail or two.

Virgin Mobile spokesperson Amber Morris, suggests that we should all regularly cleanse our phones. "We detox every other part of our life, why not extend this to your phone?"

Virgin Mobile is calling on all those polite and tipsy Australians to clear out their contacts and text their true friends at a great rate with Virgin Mobile. With free V-to-V calls and texts on selected services, it is even easier to stay in touch with your mates.

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Notes to editors:

• For further information please contact the team at One Green Bean: +612 9699 9113 or Kathryn@onegreenbean.com.au
• For more information on Virgin Mobile's great offers, please visit the Virgin Mobile website at www.virginmobile.com.au
• * This national Newspoll study was conducted online with 679 respondents aged 18 to 34 year.