_Agency grows facial hair to stop cancer

July 27, 2009

Louisiana Ad Agency finds a hairy way to fight cancer and honor loved ones.

Baton Rouge, La. (November 9, 2009) – Over the last two years, two managing partners at Rockit Science Agency, Brent Sims and Josh Dickerhoof, have lost parents to long battles with cancer. Not willing to idly sit back while this disease affected others, they decided to grow mustaches, or “moustaches,” as it’s classically spelled.

How in the world would growing a moustache make a difference? Turns out it has raised about $47 million difference over the past couple of years in the form of the global fundraising initiative entitled “Movember.”

Stephen Bowling, Rockit Science Agency’s Interactive Director, approached Brent and Josh with the concept. Once the two partners were onboard, they recruited the entire team at Rockit Science Agency, and as a group, they formed the “Moustachetronauts.” Theirs is the only team from Louisiana to enter the “Movember” global campaign featured on Ellen and other global media outlets. Other corporate teams include Morgan Stanley, Merrill Lynch, GE, U.S. Airforce, Pfizer, Inc., Disney, DDB New York, Campbell Soup Co. and Rockstar Games.

“Our team was looking for a creative outlet to raise funds to fight cancer, we found that in the Movember global effort. We get to spread awareness of men’s health issues and raise funds for cancer research – it’s one of the best projects we’ve worked on as a company,” said Josh Dickerhoof, Managing Partner at Rockit Science Agency.

The premise is simple: individuals or corporations can form teams and compete to raise funds, but with one catch – each team member has to grow a moustache. The growing charity event is held during November, and each team must grow a “mo,” which is slang for moustache – thus “Movember” is born. The mo-tivation of the global effort of Movember is to bring much needed awareness to prostate and testicular cancer.

“I lost my Dad last year to cancer, so for me, it’s about a personal journey to help others affected. My Father would be proud if he saw what we’re accomplishing; he had a great moustache,” said Brent Sims, Managing Partner at Rockit Science Agency, “To date, Movember has raised $47 million globally making it the world’s largest charity event for men, which is just amazing. All the funds raised go directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation and Lance Armstrong’s Livestrong Foundation.”

The idea for Movember was sparked in 2003 over a few beers in Melbourne, Australia. The guys behind it were joking about 80s fashion and decided it was time to bring the moustache back. In order to justify their Mos (Australian slang for moustache), they used their new looks to raise money for prostate cancer research, never dreaming that facial hair would ultimately lead to a global movement that would get men talking about a taboo subject – their health.

A “Mo Bro” starts Movember – the month formerly known as November – clean shaven, and grows a moustache all month long, garnering support from friends and family in the form of donations. What’s more, a Mo Bro is a walking billboard for the cause as his new look opens the door for him to talk about cancers affecting men, making the moustache a symbol, much like the pink ribbon is for breast cancer. Each Movember culminates in a Gala Partè in major cities around the globe where Mo Bros dress up to match their Mo, channeling the likes of Tom Selleck, Ghandi and Ron Burgandy, vying for the ultimate accolade: Man of Movember.

While growing a Mo is left to the guys, Mo Sistas (women who support their guys) form an important part of Movember by recruiting Mo Bros, helping to raise funds and attending the highly anticipated Gala Partés.

The Prostate Cancer Foundation has used the Movember funds raised from 2007 and 2008 campaigns to fund research to find better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer.

“Movember is helping to support three vaccine research programs and move 12 new medicines from the laboratory to clinical trials. These may alleviate pain and suffering for the nearly 2.5 million men and their families who are currently facing prostate cancer in the U.S. How else can we say thank you from the bottom of their hearts and ours?” said Dr. Jonathan Simons, Prostate Cancer Foundation President and CEO, “Without Movember, the progress of those projects would have been hindered.”

To learn more about the Movember global initiative visit www.movember.com and to donate to Rockit Science Agency’s Louisiana Team visit www.moustachetronauts.com

Rockit Science Agency is a national award-winning advertising agency based in Baton Rouge, La., whose services include Advertising, Public Relations, Interactive Website and Social Media Strategies. Past clients include Blue Cross Blue Shield, United States Navy, KVCR NPR California and Rave Movie Theaters.