Virgin Media presenter Muireann O’Connell has issued a rallying call for people to get behind businesses, as the broadcaster continues its #BackingBusiness campaign.

Virgin Media's initiative provides free on-air advertising, including creative, production, profiles in relevant TV programmes and social media promotion across its full schedule, covering Virgin Media Channels One, Two and Three.

“We are entering unknown territory for small businesses in Ireland and this is the moment for us all to come together and support,” said O’Connell, a presenter on Virgin Media One’s Six O’Clock Show. “If you can spend €20 extra in a local business, that kind of collective effort could be what they need to get back on track.”

O’Connell noted that people are wary with their money at present, resulting in less being spent, which is putting more pressure on businesses.“So many of these small businesses were there for us when we needed them at the height of the Covid-19 crisis and I really hope everyone gets behind this #BackingBusiness initiative and help them in their hour of need.”

Virgin Media says c.220 businesses have been featured during the campaign. The company says the free ad value to date amounts to €1,195,250.

In Association with

The campaign has been running since May  and has featured 39 businesses as part of the dedicated TV advertising slots. Seventy two businesses have been featured across Virgin Media’s official social media channels and 110 businesses have featured on Ireland AM.

The latest company to benefit is Dublin coffee roasters, Imbibe. “We’ve brought some of the best coffees on the planet to Ireland but in a way that is very socially aware - we do capitalism but with a conscience,” said principal Gary Grant.

To participate, business owners are invited to send a short video of no more than 30 seconds in landscape mode to backingbusiness@virginmedia.ie, explaining who you are, what your business does, and the operational changes you have had to make in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.