1. Richard Branson
By: Heather Dela Cruz
http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2004/11/11/Richard_Branson_wideweb__430x283.jpg

2. Early Life
Born July 18, 1950 in Surrey, England
Dyslexic
Educated at Stowe School
Dropped out of high school
At 16, he started a youth-culture magazine
called Student
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3. Student Magazine
Inspired by student activism in the late ‘60s
Focused on the students – not the school
Sold $8000 worth in advertisement in first
publication
50,000 copies in its first run
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4. Virgin Music
Opened a mail order record retailer in 1970
1973 – Virgin Records launched
Mike Oldfield was first artist signed – his hit
“Tubular Bells” stayed on the UK charts for 247
weeks
Other Virgin artists – the Sex Pistols, the Rolling
Stones, the Culture Club, Janet Jackson, etc.
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01556/virgin-records_1556606i.jpg

5. The Sound of Success
One of the top 6 record companies in the
world
1992 – Branson sold Virgin Music label to
Thorn-EMI for $1 billion
1993 –Launched Virgin Radio
1996 – Created V2 Records
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6. Taking the Air
Branson’s true passion lies in the airline industry
1984 – Created Virgin Atlantic Airways (Branson’s
most recognized brand)
Flies worldwide including Australia, the
Caribbean, USA, Asia and Africa
Won major awards including “Airline of the
Year” on numerous occasions
http://www.therefinishingtouch.com/blog/uploaded_images/Virgin-Atlantic-Plane_March-16-732829.jpg

7. Virgin America
Launched in 2007 – based in San Francisco
Affordable
High-end service and entertainment
Seatback TV in each seat
Won best in-class awards including “Best Domestic
Airline”
Thrived when other U.S. carriers filed for bankruptcy
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8. Planes, Trains, and Automobiles
Dominates in travel industry
Virgin Galactic – takes ordinary people to space for
$200,000
Virgin Trains – runs throughout England
Virgin Holidays – offers adventures in USA, Caribbean,
Africa, Indian Ocean, Middle East and Far East
Virgin Oceanic – “flying” submarine; dives 40 meters below
surface to enhance experience
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http://mightygadget.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/virgin-trains.jpg
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http://www.virginholidayscruises.co.uk/a/i/ships/carnival/carnival-victory-large.jpg

9. Branson Takes Over the World
More than 200 Virgin Brand companies in 29 countries
Virgin global revenues exceeded $17 billion in 2008
Ranked No. 261 on Forbes’ World Billionaires list in 2009
Worth about $2.5 billion
Knighted in 1999 by Queen Elizabeth II for services to
entrepreneurship
Also known for his humanitarian efforts including going on a
hunger strike in 2009 to raise awareness in Darfur
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10. Works Cited
"Branson, Richard (1950- )". Hutchinson Unabridged Encyclopedia . 08 Sep 2005. eLibrary . Web. 09 Feb
2010.
Deutschman, Alan. "The Enlightenment of Richard Branson". Fast Company . 01 Sep 2006: 49. eLibrary .
Web. 09 Feb 2010
Levy, Steven. "Virgin Master". Newsweek . 02 Jun 2008: n/a. eLibrary . Web. 09 Feb 2010.
Lorie, Anouk. "Richard Branson launches high-tech 'flying' submarine - CNN.com." CNN.com . 18 Feb.
2010. Web. 20 Feb. 2010. <http://edition.cnn.com/2010/TECH/02/18/branson.flying.submarine/>.
"Richard Branson - Biography -." Biography.com . Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <http://www.biography.
com/articles/Sir-Richard-Branson-9224520>.
Shepler, John. "Richard Branson's Virgin Success - The Incredible Triumph of an Enigmatic
Entrepreneur." John Shepler.com . Web. 22 Feb. 2010. <http://www.johnshepler.com/articles/branson.
html>. "Virgin." Virgin.com . Web. 09 Feb. 2010. <http://www.virgin.com/virgin/>.
Virgin Atlantic Airways . Web. 20 Feb. 2010. <http://www.virgin-atlantic.
com/en/us/whatsonboard/economy/index.jsp>.
"Virgin." Virgin.com . Web. 09 Feb. 2010. <http://www.virgin.com/virgin
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