'Chrismahanukwanzakah' Makes the Best of the Holidays

'Chrismahanukwanzakah' Makes the Best of the Holidays Virgin Mobile Holiday Campaign Tweaks Post-Election Obsession Over 'Divided Nation' With Tongue-in-Cheek Celebration of Inclusiveness WARREN, N.J., Dec. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- If Virgin Mobile has its way, December 13th will be all about inflatable palm trees, reindeers with menorahs for antlers, sitar-playing Santas, and a completely madcap mix of holiday traditions. That's because the wireless provider has dubbed that very special Monday as the first official commemoration of "Chrismahanukwanzakah" -- the all-inclusive holiday celebration. "Chrismahanukwanzakah" (easier said than spelled!), with all of its joyous iconography, is symbolic of what Virgin Mobile represents in the wireless space -- all the good (great savings, no contracts, no hidden fees) without the bad. It also pays tribute to all the great things about the December "holidays" -- while tweaking the nation's post-Election obsession over the supposed "morality gulf" between the Red states and the Blue states. For a nation tired of feeling so divided, "Chrismahanukwanzakah" offers a tongue-in-cheek tango of traditions. It celebrates the joys of all things holiday like Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, and elves (it even includes Scientologists and agnostics) with songs, images, ad spots, e-cards, a roller disco skate party -- and, of course, $20 off Virgin Mobile handsets throughout the festivous "Chrismahanukwanzakah" season. "Most companies dance around the different traditions that make December so festive, by just branding it all 'holiday,'" said Virgin Mobile chief marketing officer, Howard Handler. "When we looked at that 'play it safe' mentality, combined with election angst over the whole 'morality' issue, we thought it was high time to mix things up a bit. We're spotlighting aspects of each of the major December traditions to create one all-inclusive jamboree that's tongue-in-cheek, but also real about its message." Striking a Chord The campaign has struck a fast chord with Virgin Mobile's teen and early- twenties customer base. More than 300,000 customers and counting have already downloaded the free "Chrismahanukwanzakah" carol -- a special song penned by alt band Ween called "We're All Snowflakes" (lyrics available upon request!). "We've been seeing scores of emails and blog postings from our customers praising the 'Chrismahanukwanzakah' all-inclusive spirit as a real breath of fresh air," said Handler. "They get the humor of the campaign. But many also point out how much they appreciate a portrait of different traditions coming together. More than a few have said how tired they are of all the politically-charged talk about being divided. I guess you could say we're a wireless melting pot of sorts." Anyone who wants to experience the seasonal cheer first hand can visit http://www.chrismahanukwanzakah.com/ , where they can carol along with all the merry "Chrismahanukwanzakah" characters. Those visiting New York City the week of December 6th may see some of those characters live and in the flesh -- personally spreading the "holiday" joy. About Virgin Mobile USA, LLC: Launched nationally in July of 2002, Virgin Mobile USA, LLC has redefined and set the pace for the entire prepaid wireless category. More than two million wireless users have chosen Virgin Mobile's Pay As You Go service with no contracts and no hidden fees. In addition, J.D. Power and Associates has recognized Virgin Mobile for providing "An Outstanding Customer Service Experience" under its Certified Call Center Program.(SM) The nation's first mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), Virgin Mobile is a joint venture between Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group and Sprint, which operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. It is the first wireless provider to focus exclusively on the needs and desires of the youth. All Virgin Mobile customers have access to VirginXtras -- a host of music, entertainment and fun lifestyle features, including exclusive content from strategic partner MTV: Music Television. Customers with 3G-enabled phones also have access to VirginXL -- the high-octane version of VirginXtras featuring picture messaging, downloadable games and more. Virgin Mobile phones are available direct on the Web at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ ; at 888-322-1122; or, at more than 20,000 locations, including Amazon.com, Best Buy, Coconuts, CompUSA, F.Y.E., Media Play, Radio Shack, Rite Aid, Safeway, Sam Goody, Sprint Stores, Strawberries, Target Stores, Wal*Mart, Virgin Megastores and select college bookstores. Top-Up cards are also available at more than 50,000 locations, including Circle K, CVS and 7-Eleven stores. Source: Virgin Mobile USA, LLC CONTACT: Anne Green of CooperKatz & Co., +1-212-455-8017, or agreen@cooperkatz.com , for Virgin Mobile USA, LLC; or Sue D'Agostino of Virgin Mobile USA, LLC, +1-908-607-4160, or sdagostino@virginmobileusa.com Web site: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/ http://www.chrismahanukwanzakah.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment