While men are being encouraged to grow out their moustaches over the course of November to spark conversation and raise funds for cancer and mental health, Pringles’ Mr P and KFC’s Colonel Sanders are going bare-faced to get more men talking.
KP Snacks, too, is supporting the cause, having signed up English actor, singer and model Will Mellor to spur men into ‘checking their nuts’.
Julius Pringle (aka Mr P) is also not running it alone and has enlisted the likes of British footballer Peter Crouch and track athlete Sir Mo Farah, singer/songwriter Liam Payne and actor Russell Tovey to grow a 'mo'.
This is the first time Mr P has gone moustache-less since Pringles was launched in 1968.
Creative agency We Are Social gave him the makeover as part of the brand’s year-long partnership with Movember – the first time the brand has supported a charitable cause in the UK – and fans can see his new look on social media, including Pringles’ Instagram, Facebook and Twitter pages.
A hairy tale
Movember’s story began in 2003 with 30 Australian Mo Bros signing up to the challenge to grow a mo – and donate AUD$10 for the privilege – to get the campaign around men’s health and prostate cancer on its feet.
Dial forward 17 years, and over 6.2 million Mo Bros and Mo Sisters around the world have clocked in their support, with over $550m raised, funding more than 1,250 men’s health projects.
By 2030, the charity aims to reduce the number of men dying prematurely and the rate of male suicide by 25%.
“Movember is an incredible cause and the work it does to support men all over the world is second to none,” said Rebecca Worthington, Pringles UK activation brand lead.
“As a partner to the charity, we couldn’t let Mr P get away without removing his iconic moustache and we’re looking forward to helping to drive important conversations around people’s mental health.”
Anne-Cecile Berthier, country director, UK and Europe at Movember, added, “Movember is delighted to have partnered with Pringles for the first time. Pringles are working with Movember to encourage conversations and get people talking about their mental health. We are excited that Pringles and their moustachioed mascot are helping us to spread this important message.”
The Pringles and Movember partnership was launched in September with branded point of sale in over 800 Tesco stores nationwide. The Kellogg's-owned brand has pledged to donate a minimum of £75,000 to Movember Europe.
Breaking down taboos
Pringles isn’t the only brand to take part in the initiative. KFC’s Colonel Sanders is also going whisker-less this month, shaving off the years with a surprisingly youthful look, thanks to Sid Lee Paris, which redesigned the logo.
And, for the second year running, KP Snacks has secured its partnership with Movember, using its brand equity to get more people talking about testicular cancer.
The German-owned British producer of branded and own-label maize-, potato-, and nut-based snacks has signed up ‘Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps’ Will Mellor to lead the charge to get men to ‘check their nuts’, using nut jokes and puns to break the ice.
“Men up and down the country are opening a packet of KP Nuts over a beer…. the perfect moment to share nut jokes and break down taboos with comedy,” said Jenny Blanco Barcia, marketing manager of KP Nuts.
“We are extremely proud to be working alongside Movember.
“Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in young men but there can be a stigma attached to talking about it. If caught early, there is a 95% chance of survival.
“This campaign aims to educate young men on the importance of checking their nuts, and we encourage our consumers and retail partners to do just that.”
To donate or learn more about Movember, visit movember.com.