Mick Hucknall stars in Virgin Media cinema ad campaign

Virgin Media has enlisted Simply Red singer Mick Hucknall as the face of its latest advertising campaign. Hucknall follows Uma Thurman, Ruby Wax and Samuel L Jackson in fronting campaigns for the cable company.

An animated Hucknall appears alongside Virgin founder Richard Branson in a cinema execution to promote Virgin Media’s TV and video-on-demand services. The ad is set in a futuristic Swiss correction centre. The campaign has been created by roster agency RKCR/Y&R.

Hucknall is the first “animated” celebrity to appear in Virgin Media’s advertising. Virgin Media managing director of brand and marketing James Kydd says he continued with celebrity-themed ads following the success of the L Jackson TV campaign, which also promotes the company’s on-demand offering.

Hollywood actress Thurman was unveiled as the first face of Virgin Media, which rebranded from NTL:Telewest in February last year (MW 21 September 2006).