As the calendar turns from the mega-awareness month for Breast Cancer and the amazing viral phenomenon of the Ice Bucket Challenge for ALS in the past, we can applaud the work the ever-growing (no pun intended) groups for Movember are doing specially tied to Prostate Cancer Awareness.
Originally launched in Australia, the theme for “Movember” is to get primarily men (although women can help out with a fake one) to grow a mustache or not shave for the 30 days of the month, and then gain dollars through pledges for growing their ‘stache. Given the always intriguing Beard-A-Thons that happen in the spring, and around the MLB post-season, Movember has been a natural fit, and now it has gained even more traction from previous years, with some new corporate sponsors as well.
Last year Major League Soccer was on board in a big way with Movember, with clubs throughout the League growing ‘Mo’s (moustaches). Players, supporters, staff and partners were clean-shaven on November 1st and grew their moustaches throughout the month. Participants document progress on their ‘MoSpace pages as part of the MLS Movember Network, on the Movember website. Women participated by becoming ‘Mo Sistas’ and created their own ‘MoSpaces to support the men they love.
The NHL has also been a long supporter, following on their yearly ritual of not shaving during the playoffs. The Washington Capitals Karl Alzner, the then-Canucks goalie Roberto Luongo and a wide-ranging group from Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment all signed on for 2013.
This year a host of new sports brands on both sides of the Atlantic have come on board to support the initiative. One big one was adidas, who through the NFL ties enlisted the support of Washington Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III (Washington Redskins), wide receiver Vincent Jackson (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), linebacker Von Miller (Denver Broncos) and wide receiver Sammy Watkins (Buffalo Bills) to join in and encourage others to do the same.
In the UK, Mitre and the Football League have teamed up to support the Movember charity campaign, turning out their new ball with a “Mo” all of its own.
The new ball was be provided to all 72 Football League clubs for their first matches of Movember and will feature in the 34 Sky Bet Football League matches that kicked-off on Saturday including Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Birmingham City and AFC Bournemouth vs Brighton & Hove Albion, both broadcast live on Sky Sports.
McLaren Formula One drivers, as well as all 12 English Premiership Rugby clubs have also joined in more this year than ever, and brands like Gillette, Toms and Playstation have also been key parts of the expanded call to action.
Now “Movember” has some shortcomings still; guys have to look a little unkempt in a month not known for vacations, and it is not as easy to activate such a program as it is with a “Wear Pink” campaign. Also other sports, especially Major League Baseball, do activate against prostate cancer with blue bats and other events around Father’s Day each year. Still “Movember” continues to have a great upside, with the potential of thousands of fake ‘staches being given out at games during the month, maybe even tied to Coaches vs. Cancer events in college hoops. The fake handouts are low cost and would make for great digital integration and TV. Still it does cost money to engage nationally or internationally, but with the increased interest in social media, the campaign and its awareness keeps growing and new partners onboard will amplify the message around the world.
A simple idea gaining steam year over year, with an excellent cause behind it.
Brady And Facebook Winning Together