Lauren Conrad, Audrina Patridge and ... Richard Branson!

Billionaire businessman Richard Branson was a busy guy yesterday, launching the first of Virgin America's three daily flights from San Francisco to Las Vegas.

Naturally, he brought Lauren Conrad and Audrina Patridge along.

In need of some star power to help build up press for the affair, Branson looked to Lauren and Audrina, the stars of MTV's reality show The Hills, along with former centerfolds Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra. Hey, whatever works.

Richard Branson is flanked by Hills babes Lauren Conrad and Audrina Patridge.

In related news, The Hollywood Gossip is looking to launch a sister website next year and plans to invite D-list "stars" such as J.R. Rotem, Javier Bardem and Kimberly Stewart to help build up press at its huge premiere night bash.