When Virgin Media rolled out its Gig1 Fibre Broadband service, offering speeds up to 20 times faster than the regional average, it was more than just a technological milestone. To mark the launch, we were tasked with igniting excitement around this game-changing service, particularly in Southampton, the city at the heart of this historic switch-on. With more than a million homes across the West Midlands already enjoying the lightning-fast connectivity of Gig1, Virgin Media's ambitious plan to reach 15 million homes across Great Britain needed a launch that truly captured attention.
We designed and welcomed the city of Southampton to the UK’s First Gigabit-Enabled City. To bring the Gig1 buzz to life, we teamed up with none other than Southampton’s superstar — Craig David. Fans across the UK gathered in a purpose-built venue at St Mary’s Stadium for an unforgettable, up-close experience.
“With it being just over a week since we switched on gigabit speeds across Southampton, the night was a celebration and a chance for us to give the people of Southampton a night out on us. Bringing Craig back home to perform a hit-filled set was the perfect way to do this – we hope everyone had as much fun as we did.”
Chief Operating OfficerVirgin Media O2
This exclusive free gig transformed the city into a hub of energy and excitement, celebrating the arrival of the UK’s fastest broadband. The celebration didn’t end with the music—this unique event connected the community through both music and sport, culminating in an epic TS5 party at Southampton Football Club.
This wasn’t just a product launch, it was a major cultural moment. We turned Gigabit Speeds into a Gigantic Celebration. Virgin Media’s Gig1 switch-on was celebrated with a blend of high-speed internet, local pride, and superstar talent, making Southampton the first of many cities to experience the future of broadband.