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NEWS: INTERVIEW: Just how big is Movember?

Dan Sung — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:04:34 +0000

"You'll see Obama with a mo. You'll see it. It's going to happen."

Back in the southern-hemisphere summer of 2003, a gang of Antipodean gents came up with the idea of growing a moustache for a month. 6 years on and nearly a quarter of a million men around the globe are cultivating face fur on their upper lips all in the name of charity - well, and because it's kind of fun too. To tell us some more about the background of the annual event and where it's at today, Pocket-lint measured up mos with JC, the man in charge of Movember for Europe.

So, how much money have you guys managed to raise since you've been doing this?
It wasn't about money to begin with. It was just to bring back the mo. Our dads and sporting heroes had them and we just wanted to have some fun. So there were just 30 of us in 2003 in Melbourne but then in 2004 there were 500 of us and we raised AUS$55,000. We wanted to do something for guys because we thought men's health was getting neglected. So, we researched into what the biggest killers for guys were and the single largest one turned out to be prostate cancer. The next year we got 9000 mo bros together and raised AUS$1.1 million which the Australian government matched to give us AUS$2.2 million. That was amazing. We asked them to and they did.

And what about since Movember has gone global?
Well, we went global in 2007 by which time we'd managed to raise ?15million, but last year with 173,000 registered mo bros worldwide we doubled the figure to ?30million - in a single year! This year we've got around 243,000 registered out there and I had a look at the current total and we're somewhere around ?8million for 2009 but we reckon each mo brings in around between ?100 - ?120 per head, so it's set to be another great year.

What do you think has been the key to the success of the event?
Men are inherently lazy. We're not asking guys to do a lot. Just grow a moustache. Actually, though, it's a lot more effort than it sounds having to shave around your mo for a month. I hardly take a razor to my face any other time of the year but it's our ribbon. That's how we look at it. It's also a lot of fun. We get people from all walks of life - lawyers, accountants, bar guys, sporting heroes, mechanics to milkmen, even a few mos in Parliament this year. There are hundreds of passionate people that really drive Movember. We just provide the bus. All you guys put the passion in and the fund raising just happens.

Do you ever hear of any problems for mo bros at work with companies who aren't happy about it?
We get that all the time. Some start off saying no but then the next year, you'll see mos from the CEO down. This year we've got companies like Sainsbury's, Tescos, M&S, PWC - we even had the Federal Police Authority in Australia all growing them last year. We're changing the face of men's health and the workplace too.

Out of all the mos you see, which are the ones that have impressed you the most?
The one that always gets me is a guy called David from Barcelona. He's amazing. Last year he grew a moustache that started with an M on his left cheek and went into an O on his right, so that his mo actually said MO. He's hilarious. He e-mailed us the first year he did it a couple of months after the event saying: "So how long are we supposed to keep these things for anyway?" From then on he just seems to keep them all year round and shaves again for the beginning of each Movember.

And how far do you expect Movember to go? What's the vision for you guys?
You'll see Obama with a mo. You'll see it. It's going to happen. Actually, we're going to Downing Street this year, so we'll have a chat with Gordon and see if we can get him to do one too. Really though, it's all about awareness. One man dies every hour from prostate cancer in this country alone and it's curable from early detection in 90% of the cases. The money we raise is great but go to a doctor. That's what we want you to do. There are key markers to look for at all age groups. We should all be going in for check ups.

How's your mo growing going this year?
It's great when it starts. I get on the Tube, you can see other mo bros with them starting to kick in and you get nods from each other. This year, I've got a handlebar going at the minute, just so as I have a canvass of something to work with later for the Gala party. The thing is though that you don't choose the mo. The mo chooses you when you look in the mirror and then your 30-day journey with you and your moustache begins.

Are there any particular mo growing products you recommend?
Dermalogica. They're actually sponsoring the event this year and, honestly, I'm not pushing the product. I'd never do that kind of thing. When we first got it in the office, I just thought, "yeah, another shaving balm" but it's amazing. We had Jackie Hughes growing a mo down at Mo's Emporium the other day. This is the guy who I like to think of as the love child of the Rolling Stones and Iggy Pop - and even he's standing there going "Dermalogica. How good is that stuff?".

Thanks for taking the time out to speak to Pocket-lint today, but before we let you go, we have to ask you the most important question. Who's the most inspiring mo bro out there for you?
It's got to be Magnum, hasn't it? We talk about this all the time. Jimi Hendrix is obviously another great one but you ask that question to everyone everywhere and they always say Magnum. He lives in a house in Hawaii, he drives a Ferrari, he has ladies everywhere and he does it all in a Hawaiian shirt - and his best mate has a helicopter! That's hard to beat.

You can follow the Pocket-lint team's diary and even donate a little too.

Tags: Gadgets Movember Bathroom gadgets Shavers Features Interviews

INTERVIEW: Just how big is Movember? originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 18:04:34 +0000

NEWS: iDuck wireless, waterproof speaker launches

Amy-Mae Elliott — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 13:54:52 +0000

Floating yellow gadget offers novel bath-time tunes

Sometimes rather than ask why, it's best just to ask why not. Case in point is the iDuck.

The iDuck is a wireless two part transmitter/speaker that beams the tunes from your MP3 player to the waterproof duck-styled speaker for some bath-time crooning.

Simply hook up your MP3 player to the "egg shaped" transmitter via the included cable, says retailer CuteBitz.com, select your favourite song and hit the play button. The music will then be wirelessly streamed out of the built-in speaker in the duck.

With a range of around 10 metres, the aquatic gadget requires a total of seven AAA batteries and costs ?27.95.

NEWS: Daily Tech Deal: Remington R7130 shaver ?68.49 from Boots

Ben Crompton — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

Money saving deals, offers and innovations

If you hadn't noticed already, there is a moustache-themed thread running through Pocket-lint at the moment, this being in no small part due to our participation in Movember - a charity geared towards increasing awareness and raising money for prostate cancer.

Seeing as there hasn't been a 'tache-related tech deal we thought it was time, and it takes the form of the Remington R7130 on sale at Boots for ?68.49 and down from its original RRP of ?136.99.

The Teflon Flex and Pivot Rotary shaver uses Titanium and Teflon coated blades, which is apparently designed to give a close shave as well as protect skin from irritation.

The three independent floating heads and pivoting neck should also make the shave decent, whilst the pop-up trimmer is just the thing for detailed styling (moustachioed men take note).

Battery life seems reasonable with 1.5-hour charge giving an hours run time or you can go for that quick 5 minute refill that should be good for one full shave. Remaining usage time can be viewed on its LCD display.

To take a closer look at the Remington R7130 click through on the link and if you'd like to see how all the Pocket-lint 'taches are coming along, check out the Movember Diaries.

Tags: Home And Kitchen Gadgets Remington R7130 Bathroom gadgets Shavers Boots Daily Tech Deal

Daily Tech Deal: Remington R7130 shaver £68.49 from Boots originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:00:00 +0000

NEWS: Top grooming gadgets for Movember

Dan Sung — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:53:34 +0000

To help make trimming your mo easy

By now, you should be seeing some growth to look after and it's probably about time you shaved away that scruffy unwanted stubbly beard. So, to help you in your grooming endeavour, find below five splendid moustache growing tools to take you from a 5 o'clock shadow to Ron Burgundy in no time. And, if you're not with us already then why not grow a mo yourself and help in the fight against prostate cancer? You can follow the Pocket-lint team's diary and even donate a little too.

GoateeSaver

The GoteeSaver will set you back $19.99, but promises to "revolutionize the way you shave and trim your goatee". According to the makers, the GoateeSaver can be customized to your face in seconds, with three easy adjustments. All you have to do is slide it over your mouth and shave to get the perfect look that "women will admire and men will respect". Now, of course, we're not growing goatees. It's a tache we're after but 90% of all moustaches grown will be left untouched and unprotected by what appears to be Darth Vadar's mouthpiece here. So, whether you're cultivating a Sanchez or a Dictator, save yourself a lot of time by starting your regime with the GoateeSaver and then spending a few minutes after just refining the job. The fact that you'll look like a gimp in the bathroom is probably just one of those things you'll have to live with.

USB Electric Razor

Nobody likes to be caught on the hop with an untidy mo. So, given you're bound to have a laptop with you on your travels, you may as well invest in a razor that charges by USB. For one it means fewer plugs to worry about and secondly it offers you the option of shaving while you type. That said, doing so will probably ruin your computer keyboard in one go. It's only $22 and might just come in handy as a part of your grooming arsenal one day.

Freedom Dynamo Electric Razor

A more sensible way to go might be with the eco-friendly wind up electric razor from Freedom. $49.99 may seem like quite a lot of money when you're having to put in all the work to get that dynamo charging, but it includes new blades, a mirror, travel case and even a 12V adaptor if you happen to be on the road with your car. Essentially you're looking at one of the best travel razors money can buy and a real winner if you happen to be camping. Perfect for making that mo stand out at 100 paces.

Moustache Comb Neckless

Yes, you too can own a fabulous piece of jewellery while keeping your tache in trim at the same time. You can also look like a total sleaze by casually teasing it through the hair on your upper lip as you chat to a lovely lady with one eyebrow raised while she takes note of your manly hair and takes deep, suffocating whiffs of your Sex Panther aftershave. 60% of the time it works every time. This kind of top end style doesn't come cheap though. Each one is hand crafted in solid silver. They measure 2 x 2 inches and hangs on a 35-inch chain, it can be yours for $168. That's mo kudos worth every penny.

Wilkinson Sword Quattro Titanium Precision

For some men, there's a oneness with nature about having a wet shave and if that's how you choose to carve out your mo, then the this razor from Wilkinson Sword seems to be the gadget of choice. It's won just about every men's grooming award in the last year and it also promises to be the first of its type to offer shaving, trimming and edging at the same time. If you want to know the difference - the shaving is about removing your hair at root with the four blades, the trimming is about settings you can click to life for a more stubbly look and the edging is about a fifth blade on the top, all on its own, to help sculpt your mo and sideburns. Best of all though, Wilkinson Sword is a staunch supporter of Movember and is offering anyone taking part a free shave over at Mo's Emporium in Kensington throughout the month.

NEWS: Gentlemen start your Mo

Stuart Miles — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:35:49 +0000

Hairy times ahead

Movember is upon us once more and that means plenty of talk about moustaches, moustache gadgets and of course not forgetting the main reason for the facial hair growth - helping raise awareness for?prostate Cancer.

Over the next 30 days the Pocket-lint team and others will be growing a moustache for charity. It's a tough job that from experience means we will be ridiculed, stared at, and worse still not get many kisses.

But fear not my hairless friends (that's you), it is not too late to join our hairy(ish) team.

We will be keeping a mo diary on the site so you can see our progress and expect plenty of related features exploring everything "Mo".

Men of tech! (that's you) join our brethren.

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Tags: Gadgets Bathroom gadgets Movember Comment Audio Car And GPS Dad Gaming Hardware Home And Kitchen Home Cinema Phones Cameras Software Sports Fitness

Gentlemen start your Mo originally appeared on http://www.pocket-lint.com on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 01:35:49 +0000

NEWS: VIDEO: Wi-Fi Body Scale & iPhone app announced

Duncan Geere — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 12:32:43 +0100

"There's an app for fat"

French company Withings has announced the launch of its Wi-Fi enabled body scale, which it claims is a world first. It can automatically record your weight, lean and fat mass, and your Body Mass Index, and it'll upload it to a secure website or an iPhone application.

It's less than an inch thick and made of glass and steel. It uses bioelectric impedance analysis (BIA) to calculate your body fat composition, which the company says allows for more accurate tracking than other options.

The system can cope with up to 8 different users, and will recognise them when they step on the scale. It can cope with a max weight of 396lbs and is powered by four AAA batteries. The iPhone app allows you to track and browse your stats at any time.

The Wi-Fi Body Scale is currently only available in the States and costs $160. We'll let you know when it makes its way over to the UK.

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