Virgin Active victorious in the first Thinkboxes of 2016

‘We’ve Got a Workout for That’, Iris Worldwide’s cheeky commercial for the Virgin Active chain of health clubs, aimed at people who want to improve their health rather than fitness freaks, won the January/February 2016 Thinkboxes award for TV ad creativity.

With fitness often sold as a must-do New Year’s resolution, Virgin Active wanted a creative idea that focused on how the gym could help people be ready for different situations.

Iris Worldwide’s witty solution features a girl who stays fit to navigate the daily challenges of dating – dodging kisses and making hasty escapes from awkward situations through restaurant windows, thanks to the strength and agility she has honed at the gym.

Our heroine’s reward? A desirable man she spots while out running in the park, and subsequently ‘hooks up’ with.

“We are passionate about helping people to get fit and active, but we know that most people’s lives don’t revolve around the gym,” explains Clare Gambardella, Virgin Active’s European marketing director.

“We wanted to create a campaign that reflects our belief that working out with us is never dull and gets people ready to take on life, whatever it throws at them. It’s great to be recognised, and we look forward to building on this with more inspiring and fun campaigns throughout 2016.”

We wanted a campaign that reflects our belief that working out with us is never dull

Clare Gambardella European Marketing Director, Virgin Active

Client: Clare Gambardella Creative Agency: Iris Worldwide Creative team: Chris Baylis, Rich Johnson, Matt Gray, Tommy Allen Production Company: Rebel @ Outsider Director: Jones

Other ads on the podium

Center Parcs: Bears (2^nd)

• Creative agency Brothers and Sisters
• Creative team Ollie Wolf, Indy Selvarajah, Malcolm Duffy
• Client Colin Whaley
• Production company Mustard
• Director Ben Liam Jones

Mattessons: Snackarchist (3^rd)

• Creative agency Saatchi & Saatchi
• Creative team Gemma Phillips, Mark Slack
• Client Kerry Foods
• Production company Riff Raff
• Director Megaforce

Also shortlisted

HomeAway: Why Share It?

• Creative agency Saatchi & Saatchi
• Creative team Ben Robinson, Mike Whiteside
• Client Mariano Dima
• Production company Prettybird UK
• Director Tim & Eric

Thomas Cook: Pool Boy

• Creative agency KBS Albion
• Creative team Adam Lawrenson, Debs Gerrard, Hugo Isaacs, Petrina Kilby, Laura Melville
• Client Remo Masala
• Production company The Sweet Shop
• Director Mark Albiston

Click here to see who won the previous award