Maya Angelou’s stirring narration invites the world to fly with heart, soul and bold red spirit
In a world brimming with turbulence—both literal and metaphorical—Virgin Atlantic’s latest global campaign is a poetic balm for the modern traveller’s soul.
Titled “A Rainbow in the Clouds”, the film is more than just a celebration of destinations; it’s a vivid call to see the world differently—a philosophy that sits at the very heart of the Virgin brand.
Crafted by creative powerhouse Lucky Generals and narrated by none other than the late, legendary Maya Angelou (through beautifully restored archival audio), this ambitious spot spans continents, cultures, and emotions.
Angelou’s evocative words float over breathtaking visuals, turning every frame into a promise of wonder, diversity, and discovery.
Directed by Nikolai Fuglsig, the campaign feels less like an advert and more like a modern-day travel hymn—an ode to human connection and the joy of exploring with open eyes and open hearts.
Angelou’s narration, drawn from her iconic wisdom, anchors the campaign in a deep sense of purpose: that even amidst life’s storm clouds, we can choose to be a rainbow.
Annabelle Cordelli, Virgin Atlantic’s SVP of Global Marketing, sums it up powerfully,“Maya Angelou’s voice encapsulates how we see the world. Her words are a perfect echo of our red spirit—the energy our cabin crew bring, and the warmth we want our customers to feel, no matter where in the world they’re headed.”
Launched across the UK and US in film, outdoor, press, digital and social formats, the campaign is a masterclass in multi-channel storytelling.
Media planning and buying by PHD UK and Jellyfish ensures maximum visibility, while the creative direction from Joe Stamp and Tom Prendergast at Lucky Generals gives it emotional altitude.
“When the world seems full of clouds,” the duo reflect, “we need Maya Angelou to remind us how powerful it is to be a rainbow.”
It’s not often a campaign elevates beyond brand storytelling into something soul-stirring—but Virgin Atlantic’s latest effort does just that.
It’s a reminder that while planes may carry us across the sky, it’s the spirit of travel—the courage, curiosity, and kindness—that truly helps us soar.
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he APPIES is an annual event that presents a rare opportunity for creative, media, digital and marketing agencies or brands to present their best campaigns to the industry.
This is the only event where Live Presentations meets Live Judging.
Similar to TED Talks, The APPIES is the chance for great presenters with outstanding work to show it off to some of the industry’s most important industry leaders.
This year’s winners will receive Gold, Silver or Bronze trophies for 21 categories, and 6 special Best of Best categories (red trophies) that require no submissions!
Campaign entries must have run between June 2024 to May 2025
