Virgin Media launches new customer magazine

Virgin Media has replaced <i>Electric</i>, its monthly customer magazine, with a new bi-monthly publication which will be sent to half a million of its customers.

The first issue of Virgin Media Magazine, which is being produced by Redwood Publishing and printed by Polestar Chantry, was sent out last week. The title aims to promote Virgin’s range of entertainment, broadband and mobile phone services by taking customers on a "voyage of discovery" through its range of content.

The magazine is accompanied by a downloadable augmented reality and image recognition app for Android or iphones, Blippar, which customers can use to scan images in the magazine to access exclusive video content and "bring the opening section of the magazine alive".

In the 68-page Jan/Feb edition of the magazine Blippar-enabled content will include a guided tour of the new magazine from Richard Branson plus games, trailers and exclusive content related to television shows, films and video games for the month ahead.

The magazine’s launch will coincide with a wider customer engagement programme, also delivered by Redwood, which will include a weekly email giving customers information on entertainment for the week ahead, and a daily mobile app that will go live in March.

Virgin Media director of direct marketing Chris Bibby said: "We offer a world of entertainment, catch-up, on demand, HD, 3D and live television to our customers and our new magazine will help find them find the perfect choice for them."