Virgin Mobile turns up the heat at North by Northeast

Virgin Mobile Stage brings Iggy & The Stooges to Yonge-Dundas Square

TORONTO, April 13 /CNW/ - Virgin Mobile Canada is pumping up the volume in Toronto with the announcement of its sponsorship of the 2010 North by Northeast Festival (NXNE). As part of the weekend blowout, Virgin Mobile will also throw a free show with Iggy & The Stooges on the Virgin Mobile Stage in Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday, June 19.

"It's a perfect partnership. Virgin's roots are in music and NXNE has an amazing festival history and is known for shining the light on up-and-coming artists. The only thing our members love more than NXNE is Iggy Pop. Really, we're just doing this selfishly for our members so we can all see him live," said Nathan Rosenberg, Chief Marketing Officer, Virgin Mobile Canada. "We're thrilled to be part of the festival and are completely psyched to see Iggy & The Stooges take over the stage and blow everyone away."

"We're elated to have Virgin Mobile supporting NXNE in our 16th festival year," said Andy McLean, Managing Director of North by Northeast. "Working with a brand as loved as Virgin that understands rock n' roll makes for a perfect partnership."

In their first North American tour date this summer and only Canadian date on the tour, Iggy & The Stooges will play a free show at Yonge-Dundas Square on Saturday, June 19 - presented by Virgin Mobile. The Stooges' line-up features James Williamson on guitar, original Stooge Scott Asheton on drums, bassist Mike Watt of Minutemen fame, long-time saxman Steve Mackay - and, up front, the godfather of punk himself: Iggy Pop.

Also on the Virgin Mobile Stage in Yonge-Dundas Square, Danish duo The Raveonettes will get the party started on Saturday, June 19, touring in support of their October release, In and Out of Control.

Members Get...

When you're with Virgin Mobile, you get exclusive deals before anyone else. Virgin Mobile has partnered with NXNE to bring the best NXNE deals to its Members. Look for details in the coming weeks on how to:

    
    -   Access Members-only deals on wristbands to NXNE
    -   Sign up for alerts on the hottest events and secret shows at NXNE
    -   Win NXNE wristbands for yourself and a friend
    -   Get VIP treatment at some of the hottest NXNE shows
    

It's all part of getting more from your mobile phone when you're a Virgin Mobile Member. For more information on the benefits of being a Virgin Mobile Member, head to www.virginmobile.ca/lounge.

About Virgin Mobile Canada

The Virgin Mobile group of companies has attracted more than 14 million customers worldwide. As the No. 1 mobile youth network, Virgin Mobile Canada's mission is to be Canada's most loved mobile company with the hottest phones and plans on the hottest network. Its plans with extra for no extra make it easy for Members to find the perfect plan for them to connect to e-mail, social networks, texting and GPS navigation with the smartest phones and mobile Internet products. Virgin Mobile Members also get access to the hottest events, global roaming and the best customer service. J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Canadian Wireless Customer Satisfaction Study has awarded Virgin Mobile "Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Prepaid Wireless Service, Five Years in a Row"(1) and it has ranked Virgin Mobile "Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Postpaid Wireless Service"(2). 91% of customers would also recommend Virgin Mobile to a friend.

Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 4,000 locations nationally including The Source, Virgin Mobile retail locations and additional retail partners. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at www.virginmobile.ca or by calling 1-888-999-2321. Get personal with Virgin Mobile Canada on Facebook at facebook.com/virginmobilecan and Twitter at twitter.com/virginmobilecan.

    
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    (1) J.D. Power and Associates 2005-2009 Canadian Wireless Customer
        Satisfaction Studies(SM). Study based on 15,207 total responses from
        consumers with prepaid wireless service, measuring 5 wireless service
        providers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences and
        perceptions of consumers surveyed in October 2009. www.jdpower.com

    (2) J.D. Power and Associates 2005-2009 Canadian Wireless Customer
        Satisfaction Studies(SM). Study based on 15,207 total responses from
        consumers with postpaid wireless service, measuring 9 wireless
        service providers. Proprietary study results are based on experiences
        and perceptions of consumers surveyed in October 2009.
        www.jdpower.com
    

For further information: Kayla Rochkin, Hill & Knowlton Canada, [phone], [email protected]; Erica Faltous, Virgin Mobile Canada, [phone], [email protected]