Virgin Red Card
Stunt
When Virgin launched their rewards card, the Virgin Red Rewards Card, in the US, they came to my team for a big experiential stunt. They bought the first idea, then changed their mind so we came back with something smaller, but still resonant.
The insight? Checking-out is the saddest part of any Virgin experience. But with the Virgin Red Rewards Card the fun is never over, because the more you use the card, the more of the very best of Virgin you get.
So how could we turn that check-out moment into a chance to keep the party going?
The insight? Checking-out is the saddest part of any Virgin experience. But with the Virgin Red Rewards Card the fun is never over, because the more you use the card, the more of the very best of Virgin you get.
So how could we turn that check-out moment into a chance to keep the party going?
Cue the Big Red Checkout
At the disembarkment of a Virgin Voyages cruise in Miami, we set up a giant box with a red ribbon inviting guests who were just leaving their vacation to do the unthinkable: turn around and go on another vacation immediately. Free of charge.
I wrote a ton of fun copy for both our brand ambassador to say and the ribbon to ramble as you pulled on it like a magician and his magic sleeve.
Mock Up of Box:
![]()
and here’s a video we posted on Virgin’s social right after to get the full experience.
... if you want to see where this project started, i.e. the idea that Virgin initially bought before changing their mind because they got too wah wah scared, scroll farther.
awwww, you’re still here? GOOD.
Virgin originally said WE DON’T WANT A CREDIT CARD CAMPAIGN. Which is good because we knew at the credit cards aren’t for points, they’re for experiences. With this one, you get more Virgin than you could ever handle.
So we pulled an Xzibit and transformed the idea of the card into a fantastical monstrosity of fun and absurdity to show how using the Virgin card gets you rewards bigger and better than anyone else.
Introducing...
![]()
From the get-go, we planned to hide this thing behind secrets and tease it like a serious technological marvel, get all these wild headlines and then surprise! It’s just a credit card.
![]()
![]()
After all the teasing, we would release a launch video that used fake talking heads from the company to discuss the creation of this amazing, insane vehicle.
![]()
![]()
Before it’s finally revealed to be... a credit card.
![]()
For the OOH we would eventually release to shock and surprise, I wrote a bunch of silly, Virgin worthy lines.Virgin originally said WE DON’T WANT A CREDIT CARD CAMPAIGN. Which is good because we knew at the credit cards aren’t for points, they’re for experiences. With this one, you get more Virgin than you could ever handle.
So we pulled an Xzibit and transformed the idea of the card into a fantastical monstrosity of fun and absurdity to show how using the Virgin card gets you rewards bigger and better than anyone else.
Introducing...
From the get-go, we planned to hide this thing behind secrets and tease it like a serious technological marvel, get all these wild headlines and then surprise! It’s just a credit card.
After all the teasing, we would release a launch video that used fake talking heads from the company to discuss the creation of this amazing, insane vehicle.
this line is my greatest work. KNEEL BEFORE THIS BRILLIANCE, CREATIVE DIRECTORS.
It didn’t get made. It’s still worth sharing. It may be even cooler that it didn’t.
Art Director: Elise Nishiyama
Copywriter: Nicolas McGuire