Virgin Media’s 2015 advert ‘Inspired’ highlighted the transformative power of the internet and its ability to motivate and connect people. The commercial follows a young girl, Grace, as she watches online videos of her favourite footballer, Steph Houghton. Her mother then introduces her to a clip of Nadia Comăneci, the Romanian gymnast famous for scoring a perfect 10 at the Olympics.
Inspired by what they see, the pair search for “women who rock,” discovering more remarkable figures such as British suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst, singer and activist Paloma Faith, and American jazz legend Billie Holiday. The advert concludes with the tagline: “When you have a better internet connection, you get more out of it.” Through its storytelling, the campaign perfectly demonstrated how a fast and reliable internet connection can open up a world of inspiration and learning.
The Music in the Virgin Media Inspired Advert
Song: Girl On Fire
Artist: Fleur East
Album: Love, Sax and Flashbacks
Released: 2015
The soundtrack for the advert is a cover of Girl on Fire, originally a 2012 hit by American singer-songwriter Alicia Keys, performed by British X-Factor contestant Fleur East. Featured on her debut studio album Love, Sax and Flashbacks, the track showcases East’s powerful vocals and energetic interpretation, transforming the original ballad into a dynamic and uplifting performance.
Fleur East’s version retains the empowering message of the original song, perfectly aligning with the advert’s theme of inspiration and achievement. Known for her charisma and vocal strength, East’s rendition also helped reinforce her rising profile in the UK music scene, complementing the advert’s celebration of ambition, confidence, and connection.