Sponsorship

What can an Sponsorship offer my brand?

Sponsorship on Virgin Media Television can be used to fulfil a variety of marketing objectives.

• It enables a brand to become synonymous with chosen programming - from Ireland AM to Love Island to the Six Nations, therefore tapping into the audience loyalty to that programme
• Sponsorship can be a cost effective introduction for brands to TV or even help launch a brand
• Sponsorship can go beyond the programme itself. It can extend to Virgin Media Player, competitions, social campaigns, spot advertising, point of sale branding opportunities or even access to cast members/presenters of the show you’re sponsoring
• Sponsorship can be used as a brand building exercise or to drive direct response

Can you explain the different types of sponsorship?

• Programme Sponsorship is around a specific show; such as Love Island. It allows you to talk directly to fans of the show
• A strand or genre sponsorship allows you to target specific content or programmes within the schedule for example, Ireland AM Cookery, or Irish Drama
• Peak or daytime sponsorships deliver a consistent audience, and time of day. It helps build an association; for example with Lunchtime or Saturday Night Family Entertainment
• An overall channel sponsorship (e.g. sponsors Virgin Media Two) gives access to a wider variety of programme ownership and mass reach of your campaign which can be very cost effective, depending on your marketing objectives

Do I need to supply sponsorship stings or idents?

Relevant sponsorship creative is essential to the success of the sponsorship. You can supply us with pre-existing sponsorship ad copy if you have it. Alternatively, our in-house production team, Red Hot Creative, can work with you to develop a concept you are happy with, and produce effective sponsorship materials for air.

Are there some general creative rules we should follow?

Sponsorship stings should utilise the existing relationship that the viewer has with their programme. If there is an obvious link between the sponsorship creative and the programme content, this performs better across all key measures.

Are there specific branding messages that can or cannot be included in sponsorship stings?

TV broadcasters are regulated by the BAI, who have outlined a set of guidelines specifically for commercial messages on TV.

Click here for the General Commercial Communications Code.

How do I find out more?

If you’d like to know more, you can contact us here.