One2One connects with Virgin

ONE2ONE and Virgin Group are reported to be close to finalising a partnership which would enable Virgin to launch its own branded mobile phone service.

Although neither firm is prepared to confirm the reports in the media, a Virgin Mobile joint venture is unlikely to be feasible before the auctioning of One2One has been completed.

One2One has begun a review of its brand, codenamed “brand vision two”, which is not thought to include its corporate identity.

Tariffs were cut at the end of April and consultancy costs are also reported to have been cut. One2One creative services manager Steve Ashby declines to comment on the cost cutting.

Immediate contenders to brand such a project are One2One lead consultancy The Identica Partnership; and Clinic and Rodney Fitch & Co, both of which were part owned by Virgin until April (DW 16 April).

Reports about the development of a Virgin call centre in Trowbridge pre-empted news of a joint venture. These have since been denied by the company.