Virgin Media O2

Virgin Media O2’s small but mighty External Communications team has achieved its best year yet.

It has put innovation and AI at the heart of its work, helped the business meet strategic objectives, secured more quality coverage than its competitors, and ultimately reclaimed its consumer champion crown.

Across 2024, the team helped VMO2 to ride the zeitgeist with a finger firmly on the pulse of British culture. From creating an AI granny to stop scammers, to putting on hot-ticket intimate gigs, and creating a Hailey Bieber-inspired sunscreen phone case, the team has created campaigns that met business objectives, shifted the dial on VMO2’s reputation, demonstrated creativity and engaged consumers.

These campaigns also resulted in a significant uplift in positive coverage, while its expert media handling reduced the proportion of negative coverage, too.

There has been investment to support the team’s growth, expertise, and skills to help them become industry leaders of the future. This includes promotions, line management opportunities, access to Board members, and spearheading a department-wide AI taskforce to ensure everyone understands and embraces the technology.

As part of its commitment to increasing opportunities for more diverse talent to enter the industry, the team has partnered with the Taylor Bennett Foundation to provide a 12-week internship for students from Global Majority backgrounds.

Finally, the team is a place where people can belong, with 94% saying they feel comfortable at work – significantly higher than the VMO2 all-company score.