• by Fern Siegel , June 18, 2024

Virgin Atlantic enlisted "Pivot" podcast hosts tech journalist Kara Swisher and NYU marketing professor Scott Galloway to give a humorous promotional twist to its premium Upper Class offering.

Produced by Vox Creative, Vox Media’s in-house content studio, the audio ads highlight the airline's comfort for business travelers.

The custom-branded work runs in "Pivot’s" special series on the future of travel. Episodes air June 19, June 26, and July 3. The campaign also includes host read ads running across "Pivot," as well as other Vox Media podcasts focused on business.

In each ad, listeners follow Galloway as he travels from London to Las Vegas, while Swisher travels from New York City to London. Audiences learn about the Virgin Atlantic experience, which includes the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouses at New York JFK and London Heathrow, as well an onboard social spaces and delicious meals.

“As the world of podcasting continues to grow and expand every year, we’re seeing more and more brands looking to reach the deeply engaged and passionate audiences that are unique to the medium,” Bryon LaBumbard, Vox Media’s vice president of podcast partnerships, told Agency Daily.

“Kara and Scott are frequent travelers who kick off most episodes of 'Pivot' by sharing where in the world they each are and what they’re doing there. We were excited to work with Virgin Atlantic on a campaign promoting their personalized Upper Class offerings because we knew it would feel authentic to the show and resonate deeply with Pivot’s audience of high earners, which includes C-suite executives and business owners,” he added.

Virgin Atlantic was founded by entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson in 1984. Today, it flies customers to 30 destinations across four continents.

Vox Media includes Vox, New York Magazine, The Verge, The Cut, Eater, Vulture, The Strategist, Polygon, SB Nation, Intelligencer, Curbed, Grub Street, Thrillist, PS,The Dodo and the Vox Media Podcast Network.