It's Moustache Time

Since 2004, the Movember Foundation has organized the global men's health initiative called Movember. The idea was born in Australia, where men grew their "mo's" to raise awareness and funds for men's health, specifically prostate cancer. The great thing about this initiative is that male participants of Movember "become walking, talking billboards for the cause, raising awareness by prompting private and public conversations around the often ignored issue of men's health." It's a fun, interactive, "on your face" (as opposed to "in your face," ha ha) charitable approach.

How do you get involved? Register online at Movember.com, grow a moustache for the month of November, and raise some money along the way. Last year, 255,722 people participated around the world and raised $42 million. All funds raised here in Canada will support Prostate Cancer Canada. Last year there was a 273% increase of registrations here in Canada, so it's clear that this phenomenon is gaining momentum.

Keep in touch with your fellow Mo Bros here in Ottawa by checking out the Movember Ottawa Facebook page.

The Do-Good Power of Blogs and Social Media

Pedigree is promoting their brand of dog food with an interesting viral web marketing campaign. They're taking advantage of social media and the blogosphere to get some attention and do some good. As Amber Macarthur of the Globe and Mail reports, Pedigree will donate a 20-pound bag of dog food to an animal shelter every time a blogger writes about their adoption program. Over 300 bloggers took advantage of this opportunity. Unfortunately, this blog post won't count as the campaign ran from September 16th through the 19th only. If you'd still like to help, become a fan of the Pedigree Adoption Drive on Facebook and they'll donate a bowl of food to shelter dogs on your behalf.

This is a great example of the power of blogs and social media for businesses in Ottawa and around the world. Macarthur explains the possibilities:

Ever so gradually, companies are recognizing that social media success isn't so much about what consumers can do for them but what they can do for consumers -- and the world. There are plenty of excellent examples from brands south of the border that are leading this trend. In Canada, big businesses are little slower at finding the connection between social media and corporate responsibility, but there is no reason we can't play catch-up, help a few animals in the process, or even better, make this country a better place to live.

Feel-Good Marketing

I think I like the Pepsi Refresh Project, Pepsi's new consumer generated marketing (CGM) campaign. If you check out the website, you'll see that the collection of ideas in the running for grants (currently 241) are pretty nifty.

Yesterday, Rohit Bhargava posted an article on different types of CGM campaigns on his Influential Marketing Blog. He sees this "share your idea to get a grant" approach as one of five big CGM marketing trends, mentioning other similar campaigns such as the American Express Members Project and DonorsChoose.org.

A shout-out to our client AtlasCare, who has initiated a similar campaign to give back to their community in the GTA. This program is called Care to Share and works like this: They accept nominations for charities within their service area (Toronto, Mississauga, Oakville, and the surrounding areas) and donate $1,000 to one selected local worthy cause each month. They really do put the "care" in AtlasCare.

Run Ottawa Run!

If you've had an opportunity to visit the Rideau Canal area lately, you'll notice that the paths alongside the canal are filled with runners, bikers, and rollerbladers. What's bringing out all these fitness freaks? Is it the weather? Is it 10 pounds of extra winter weight that people are trying to burn? Most likely, yes.

But more than likely, people are getting ready for the 2009 Ottawa Race Weekend. Since 1975 this event has brought thousands of health enthusiasts to the city from all over the world to raise money for a variety of charities.

This year organizers are hard at work to make those in Ottawa aware of all the great events that are taking place May 23-24. You can see their signage throughout the city and you can find them online at their user-generated blog.

The blog is easy to use and it's an excellent resource to read about how people are preparing for their attempt at the 2k, 5k, 10k, and half marathon runs.

If you're a fitness enthuasist and like to hear about other people's steps to prepare for Ottawa Race Weekend, I suggest checking out the Ottawa Marathon Blog.

Happy running Ottawa!