NEWS FROM VIRGIN MEDIA

Mixtape takes London film maker to the BAFTAS
Virgin Media Shorts 2009 winner picks up BAFTA nomination

London film maker Luke Snellin was today nominated for a BAFTA for his short film Mixtape, four month’s after the film picked up the Grand Prize at the Virgin Media Shorts Awards. Mixtape, which was created specifically for last year’s competition, captures the innocence of young love and sees a boy create a compilation tape for a girl he likes. The endearing film was a clear winner for the prestigious judging panel including Kevin Spacey, Gemma Arterton and Noel Clarke, in the competition that aims to shine a light on undiscovered British film talent.

A 23 year old from Ladbroke Grove, Luke is an up and coming writer and director and Mixtape was his second short film, which was created for Virgin Media Shorts. The film features Son of Rambow and Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll star Bill Milner, Charlotte Beaumont and Kate Miles, in a drama involving a young boy who makes a tape from his dad’s 1970s vinyl collection in an attempt to try and woo the girl of his dreams, Lily, who lives next door.

Luke triumphed over more than 2,000 competition entries and will receive £30,000 funding from Virgin Media and the UK Film Council towards his next film, as well as nationwide exposure to millions of people across the country. Mixtape is currently one of the 12 short-listed films that are currently being shown on over 200 cinema screens across the UK, as well as on Virgin Media’s TV on demand service, on the Virgin1 channel, on mobile phone by texting Virgin Media to 80150 and online at www.virginmediashorts.co.uk.

Delighted with his nomination, Luke said, “I was over the moon to find out that I’d been nominated for a BAFTA for Mixtape. I created the film for last year’s Virgin Media Shorts competition and was thrilled when it was chosen to win the main prize by the judging panel including Kevin Spacey and Noel Clarke. Now to hear I’ve been shortlisted for a BAFTA is a dream come true, I’ve had an amazing six months and just hope I can go all the way in February.”

Luke will now have a nervous wait until 21st February when the BAFTAs are awarded at a ceremony at the Royal Opera House in London. Considered to be a key indicator for the Oscars in March, Luke Snellin and Mixtape are tipped for big things in the future.

For more information about Virgin Media Shorts or to see Mixtape, visit www.virginmediashorts.co.uk.

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Media Contacts
Frank PR, virginmedia@frankpr.it, 020 7693 6999

Notes to Editors

About Virgin Media
With almost 10 million customers, Virgin Media is the UK's first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile.

The company is one of the largest residential broadband providers in the UK, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next generation ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb to just over half of all homes. Combined with a high speed ADSL service and mobile broadband products, Virgin Media is able to offer broadband internet access to virtually the entire country.

Virgin Media has the UK’s most advanced TV on demand service and is the only TV platform to carry BBC iPlayer. It is the second largest provider of pay TV, was the first to launch a high definition TV service and offers a high-specification, HD-ready V+ personal video recorder.

The company operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world’s first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.

Virgin Media also owns Virgin Media Television (VMtv) which runs seven entertainment channels, including Virgin1, LIVING, Bravo and Challenge. VMtv is a 50 per cent joint partner with BBC Worldwide in UKTV, which consists of ten channels including Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi.

Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market and the London Stock Exchange (VMED).

For more information, go to www.virginmedia.com.

NEWS FROM VIRGIN MEDIA

‘You Beauty!’ says Branson

Virgin boss revels following Lord’s victory and Virgin Media charity incentive

As England celebrate the first win in this year’s Ashes, Virgin chief Richard Branson has praised the team and their ‘bonza’ performance following the stunt that riled Australians and saw him appear on the Sydney Harbour Bridge before the first test, to help launch Virgin Media’s ‘Fifty50’ charity initiative.

The company has already pledged £8,000 to charity following the first two Ashes tests in Cardiff and at Lord’s, where England finally beat Australia for the first time in 75 years.

The unique initiative will see the UK’s leading broadband provider donate £1,000 to charity every time an England batsman scores a half century during the series, to celebrate the national roll-out of it’s ultrafast 50Mb broadband service.

Delighted with the team’s performance to date, cricket fan Richard Branson said; “You beauty! What a bonza performance by England’s boys - I’m absolutely over the moon that we took the second test at Lord’s. England put in a fantastic performance and the team have already reached eight half centuries to date, raising £8,000 for charity in the process through Virgin Media’s ‘Fifty50’ initiative. It seems that our little stunt in Sydney has riled the Australian team by putting pressure on them, whilst our charity incentive has equally spurred on the England team. All I can say is once again, good luck at Edgbaston Ricky…you’ll need it!”

Following England’s draw in Cardiff and superb win at Lord’s this week, no fewer than five England players have already reached the half century milestone on eight separate occasions:

Kevin Pietersen, who scored 69 in the first innings of the Cardiff test will see £1,000 donated to children’s charity Barnardo’s;
Matt Prior who ran in 56 in the first test and 61 in the second raised £2,000 for his chosen charity;
Paul Collingwood who has managed three half centuries to date in the series, racking up 64 and 74 runs in the first test and 54 at Lord’s, raising £3,000 to be split between Marie Curie and Chance to Shine;
Alistair Cook, who managed an impressive 95 in the second test raising £1,000 for Young Lords Taverners; and
Captain Andrew Strauss, whose unforgettable 161 in the first innings of the second test

The unique ‘Fifty50’ scheme will run throughout The Ashes and will see Virgin Media donate to a selection of good causes favoured by the England players. Launched by former England skipper and Yorkshire player Michael Vaughan, the charity donations will go to each English batman’s chosen charity, every time he scores 50 runs or more in a single innings, throughout the series.


To find out more about Virgin Media’s 50Mb service, visit www.virginmedia.com/50


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Media Contacts

Frank PR, 0207 693 6999 or virginmedia@frankpr.it


Notes to Editors


Terms and Conditions


Virgin Media will donate £1,000 for every England player who scores 50 runs or more in a single innings
One charity per player is permitted which should be communicated to Virgin Media before the end of the series.
The prize is non-transferable, and there is no alternative.
Virgin Media reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the initiative or amend these terms and conditions where reasonably necessary.

About Virgin Media

With almost 10 million customers, Virgin Media is the UK's first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile.

The company is one of the largest residential broadband providers in the UK, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next generation ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb to just over half of all homes. Combined with a high speed ADSL service and mobile broadband products, Virgin Media is able to offer broadband internet access to virtually the entire country.

Virgin Media has the UK’s most advanced TV on demand service and is the only TV platform to carry BBC iPlayer. It is the second largest provider of pay TV, was the first to launch a high definition TV service and offers a high-specification, HD-ready V+ personal video recorder.

The company operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world’s first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.

Virgin Media also owns Virgin Media Television (VMtv) which runs eight entertainment channels, including Virgin1, LIVING, Bravo and Challenge. VMtv is a 50 per cent joint partner with BBC Worldwide in UKTV, which consists of ten channels including Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi.

With operations based entirely in the UK, Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (VMED).

For more information, go to www.virginmedia.com

NEWS FROM VIRGIN MEDIA

Branson winds up the Aussies with the ultimate sledge

Virgin Media tycoon beams himself onto Sydney Harbour Bridge

Richard Branson has thrown down the gauntlet to the Australian nation by beaming a tongue-in-cheek image of himself onto one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks, the Sydney Harbour Bridge, to mark the start of the Ashes series.

The image, referencing Australia captain Ricky Ponting and featuring Branson’s face painted with a St George’s Cross, was unveiled in the shadow on the famous Sydney Opera House with the slogan “Good luck Ricky. You’ll need it. Dicky x” to promote Virgin Media’s ‘Fifty50’ campaign, designed to spur England on as they fight to win The Ashes this summer. The company has pledged to donate £1,000 to charity for every England batsman who scores a half century during the series to celebrate the national roll-out of the broadband provider’s ultrafast 50Mb broadband service.

Richard Branson said: “I love Australia and I know that the Aussies are always up for a spot of light-hearted banter, especially when it comes to The Ashes. Every Australian I know wants to stuff us in the upcoming series and I wanted to do my bit to encourage the England team in the hope that they can win the Ashes this time round.”

Laurinda Rio-Copeland, who lives in Sydney but is originally from London, was passing by as the image was beamed onto the bridge. She said: “I have had so many Aussies rib me about England’s defeat in the last series, telling me how we are going to get beaten again. I think this image is really funny and it’s nice to see the Aussies being on the receiving end for a change.”

The unique ‘Fifty50’ scheme will run throughout The Ashes and will see Virgin Media donate to a selection of good causes favoured by the England players. Launched by former England skipper and Yorkshire player Michael Vaughan, the charity donations will go to each English batman’s chosen charity, every time he scores 50 runs or more in a single innings, throughout the series.

To find out more about Virgin Media’s 50Mb service, visit www.virginmedia.com/50


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NEWS FROM VIRGIN MEDIA

Write, Camera, Action!

Virgin Media searches for the nation’s biggest teen film fan

Think you’ve got what it takes to be the next Jonathan Ross? Virgin Media has today launched a nationwide search to find the UK’s biggest teen film fan - a teenager who knows their Billy Elliot from Bill and Ted – to join the judging panel for the second annual Virgin Media Shorts competition.

Virgin Media Shorts champions undiscovered talent, shining a light on up-and-coming film talent with the help of a prestigious judging panel from across the film industry. Hoping to find a future Wossy, Virgin Media is offering one lucky teenager the chance to join this year’s exclusive panel alongside Bond-girl Gemma Arterton, Oscar-winning stage and screen actor Kevin Spacey, as well as BAFTA’s Rising Star 2009, Noel Clarke, and award-winning short film director, Daniel Barber.

Open to 13-19 year olds across the country, young cinema goers need to tell Virgin Media why they think they are the UK’s biggest teen film fan. If you collect film memorabilia, can’t tear yourself away from your DVD collection or know your favourite films word for word, this is the competition for you. All you need to do is log onto www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/vipjudge and complete the entry form. Deadline for entries is Saturday 20th June when all entries will be reviewed and one teenager crowned the overall winner. The top film fan will help choose the Grand Prize Winner of Virgin Media Shorts 2009 as well as given an all expenses paid trip and a chance to rub shoulders with the other judges at the glitzy awards ceremony in Central London on 22nd September.

Ashley Stockwell, executive director of brand and marketing at Virgin Media said, “Virgin Media Shorts is all about giving British film makers a shot at the big time by helping them pursue their dream. Our teen judge competition aims to find the next-generation of British film critics, with the ultimate prize of crowning the winner of Virgin Media Shorts alongside the likes of Kevin Spacey.”

Since the launch of Virgin Media Shorts last month, film makers from across the country are being given the chance to upload their short films through www.virginmediashorts.co.uk until 23rd June 2009. Following this date, all entries will be reviewed and short-listed down to just twelve, for the competition winner and judging panel to go onto review and select the winning film.


To get one step closer to stardom and prove you have what it takes to take the title of the ‘nation’s biggest film fan’, log onto www.virginmediashorts.co.uk/vipjudge to download the entry form and give us an insight into your love of film.


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Media Contacts
Frank PR - 0207 693 6999

Notes to Editors



Terms and Conditions

1. Entrants must be UK residents aged between 13 and 19 years of age on 20 June 2009. Employees, families or agents of Virgin Media and/or any of its group undertakings are not eligible to enter. Only one entry per person is permitted. Entrants under the age of 18 on 20 June 2009 must have the consent of a parent/guardian to enter. Such consent is deemed to be acceptance of these competition terms and conditions by the parent/guardian on behalf of the entrant.

2. By entering the competition, you hereby warrant that all information submitted by you is true, current and complete.

3. All entries must include all details requested on the Virgin Media Shorts website (the “Website”) and be submitted in accordance with these terms and any terms of entry detailed on the Website, including, without limitation, submission within the requisite time frame.

4. Five short-listed entries will be selected from all eligible entries by a panel of judges, with the shortlist announcement taking place week commencing 6 July 2009. Short-listed entries must be available week commencing 6 July 2009 to be interviewed over the phone and have their pictures taken in a nearby location by a professional photographer.

5. The prize is a position on the Virgin Media Shorts 2009 judging panel. The winner will be invited to attend the Virgin Media Shorts awards ceremony in central London on the evening of 22 September 2009. Travel and hotel accommodation for the winner and one parent/guardian will be provided. The decision of Virgin Media as to who has been selected for the shortlist and/or awarded the prize is final and no correspondence will be entered into. Virgin Media may at its sole discretion, substitute any prize for a prize of a similar nature and/or comparable value. Winner may not request and is not entitled to a cash alternative to the prize and the prize is non-refundable and non-transferable. All expenses of participation in judging panel not specified herein or otherwise authorised by Virgin Media are the prize winner’s own.

6. Virgin Media accepts no responsibility or liability for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft, destruction, alteration of, or unauthorised access to entries, or entries lost, incomplete or delayed whether or not arising during operation or transmission as a result of server failures, virus, bugs or other causes outside its control. All lost, damaged or incomplete entries will be deemed invalid. Proof of entry shall not be proof of delivery or receipt. Only entries received in accordance with these terms and the Website instructions will be acceptable. Return of prize notification as undeliverable, or failure to respond to a prize notification within a reasonable time will result in disqualification and another winner may be selected at Virgin Media’s discretion. In the event that the winner declines the prize Virgin Media may elect, at its own discretion, to draw another winner.

7. Short-listed entrants and the winner will be required to participate in publicity surrounding this promotion, and each entrant consents to his/her name, locations and photographs being published for the purposes of the competition and promoting Virgin Media and its business. You acknowledge that you may be required to sign a release in order to participate in the short-list and/or judging panel. You agree, if selected for the short list and/or judging panel, to follow all instructions of Virgin Media and its agents in respect of Virgin Media Shorts 2009.

8. By entering the competition, you are deemed to accept these terms and all other terms and conditions. Virgin Media may, at its sole discretion, change the dates of entry into the competition and/or the dates on which the competition will be promoted and Virgin Media reserves the right to alter, amend or withdraw these terms and/or the competition without prior notice.

9. By entering the competition you hereby assign all copyright which you may own in your entry to Virgin Media and you acknowledge that Virgin Media will own all the copyright in your entry.

10. Other than for death or personal injury arising from negligence of Virgin Media, so far as is permitted by law, Virgin Media hereby excludes all liability for any loss, damage, cost and expense, whether direct or indirect, howsoever caused in connection with the competition or redemption of the prize.

11. These terms and conditions are governed by and construed and performed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales, whose courts shall be the courts of exclusive jurisdiction.

About Virgin Media

With almost 10 million customers, Virgin Media is the UK's first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile.

The company is the largest residential broadband provider in the UK, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next generation ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb to just over half of all homes. Combined with a high speed ADSL service and mobile broadband products, Virgin Media is able to offer broadband internet access to virtually the entire country.

Virgin Media has the UK’s most advanced TV on demand service and is the only TV platform to carry BBC iPlayer. It is the second largest provider of pay TV, was the first to launch a high definition TV service and offers a high-specification, HD-ready V+ personal video recorder.

The company operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world’s first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.

Virgin Media also owns Virgin Media Television (VMtv) which runs eight entertainment channels, including Virgin1, Living, Bravo and Challenge. VMtv is a 50 per cent joint partner with BBC Worldwide in UKTV, which consists of ten channels including Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi.

With operations based entirely in the UK, Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (VMED).

For more information, go to www.virginmedia.com.

NEWS FROM VIRGIN MEDIA

Gemma Arterton sizzles as fifties film siren Bond girl recreates Liz Taylor scene for the launch of Virgin Media Shorts 2009

British film actress Gemma Arterton today launched Virgin Media Shorts 2009, the short film competition which champions undiscovered UK film talent. The 23 year-old Bond girl and star of current Brit flick The Boat That Rocked, recreated Elizabeth Taylor’s Oscar®-nominated role, Maggie, in the 1958 classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof to mark the launch of the competition.

Gemma commented, “I’m so excited that I got to recreate the iconic shot that made Elizabeth Taylor a household name. She is a complete goddess and my favourite actress in the whole world. I had such a ball on set and I hope that by taking people back to the Golden Age of cinema, we’re giving all budding film makers food for thought for Virgin Media Shorts.”

Now in its second year, Virgin Media Shorts is the only short film competition to give British film makers the opportunity to have their work showcased to millions of people across the country on four screens – on over 200 cinema screens, on TV, on mobile phones and online. The Grand Prize winner will win up to £30,000 funding, with a chance to work with Virgin Media and the UK Film Council’s New Cinema Fund to make their next short film, as well as the short-listed films being shown on Virgin1 later this year.

Virgin Media Shorts aims to shine a light on the best up and coming British film makers with the help of a prestigious judging panel from across the film industry. Gemma will team up with Oscar-winning stage and screen actor Kevin Spacey, who appears on the judging panel for the second year running. Together with representatives from Virgin Media and the UK Film Council, the two will also be joined by:

BAFTA Rising Star award winner, Noel Clarke
Oscar-nominated British short film director, Daniel Barber
Film critic and broadcaster, Jason Solomons

Kevin Spacey commented, "With the success of last year’s competition and the high calibre of entries, I’m delighted to be a part of the Virgin Media Shorts judging panel for the second year running. As it is increasingly difficult to get a break in the film industry, we're hoping to uncover and champion the next big thing in British film through this worthwhile competition. I've long been a supporter of emerging talent, and it's why I co-founded the TriggerStreet.com initiative eight years ago."

The competition opens today and film makers are invited to upload their entries through the website - www.virginmediashorts.co.uk. The deadline for entries is midnight on 22nd June 2009. Following this date, all entries will reviewed and short-listed down to just twelve, and the judging panel will go on to select the winning film.

In addition to the overall winner’s award, film makers are also eligible to win the People’s Choice Award, voted for by members of the public, or enter the Mobile Shorts Award - a brand new award for the best film made on a mobile phone. The winners of all three awards will be announced at a glitzy awards ceremony in central London on 22nd September 2009.

Last year’s competition was won by London-based film makers Phil Sansom and Olly Williams for their short film The Black Hole and the duo are due to start filming later this year with funding from the competition.

Ashley Stockwell, executive director of brand and marketing said, “For anyone who has ever dreamt of making it big in Hollywood, Virgin Media Shorts provides a fantastic opportunity to get in front of an audience of millions. This year’s competition promises to be even bigger and better, and we’re proud to be able to help uncover the hottest British film talent this country has to offer.”

To enter this year’s awards or for more information on Virgin Media Shorts visit www.virginmediashorts.co.uk

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Media Contacts
Frank PR - 0207 693 6999


Notes to Editors



About Virgin Media

With almost 10 million customers, Virgin Media is the UK's first quad-play provider of broadband, TV, phone and mobile.

The company is the largest residential broadband provider in the UK, using a unique fibre optic cable network to deliver next generation ultrafast internet access of up to 50Mb to just over half of all homes. Combined with a high speed ADSL service and mobile broadband products, Virgin Media is able to offer broadband internet access to virtually the entire country.

Virgin Media has the UK’s most advanced TV on demand service and is the only TV platform to carry BBC iPlayer. It is the second largest provider of pay TV, was the first to launch a high definition TV service and offers a high-specification, HD-ready V+ personal video recorder.

The company operates the most popular virtual mobile network in the UK which, when launched, was the world’s first such mobile phone service. It is also one of the largest fixed-line home phone providers in the country.

Virgin Media owns two content businesses – Virgin Media Television (VMtv) and sit-up. VMtv owns eight entertainment channels, including Virgin1, Living, Bravo and Challenge – and is a 50 per cent joint partner with the BBC Worldwide in UKTV which consists of ten channels including Dave, G.O.L.D., Watch and Alibi. sit-up runs retail TV channels bid tv, price-drop tv and speed auction tv.

With operations based entirely in the UK, Virgin Media Inc. is listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market (VMED).

For more information, go to www.virginmedia.com.