Mo buses, mo conversations: Kinetic gives men’s health a lift this Movember

For most people, a bus ride is simply part of the daily routine. Getting to work. Going to school. A trip across town. This November, Kinetic hopes those same journeys will also help spark conversations about men's health.

Mo’s typically come in all shapes and sizes, but Kinetic is going big for Movember. As part of Movember’s ‘Mo’s About Town’ activation, 3,500 buses across Australia and New Zealand will sporting their own larger-than-life mos.

Hitting the road in cities, towns and regional communities throughout the month, the supersized moustaches are designed to turn heads and get people talking about men’s health.

The campaign aims to encourage people to check in on the men in their lives, while raising awareness of some of the biggest issues affecting men’s health, including mental health and suicide prevention, prostate cancer and testicular cancer.

Kinetic Group CEO Michael Sewards said the initiative was about making the most of Kinetic’s everyday presence in communities to start important conversations about men’s health.

"As Australasia’s biggest bus operator, our buses are part of everyday life for millions of people, giving us a fantastic opportunity to take the Movember message far and wide.

“Our giant moustaches are bound to turn a few heads, and that’s exactly what we want. But behind the fun is a serious message. Through our partnership with Movember, we want to get people talking about men’s health and encourage more people to take action.

“Men’s health is something that touches all of us, and it resonates strongly across our business. Many of our people have experienced these challenges firsthand, whether personally or through family and friends.

"If this campaign encourages more people to ask a mate, colleague or family member how they’re really going, that’s a great outcome."

It’ll be hard to miss the Mo. Nearly 2,000 buses in Australia and 1,500 in New Zealand will be sporting moustaches, across everything from daily commuter and school services to charter buses and SkyBus airport services.

Originally founded in Melbourne in 2003, Movember has raised almost $2 billion globally and funded more than 1,320 men’s health projects around the world.

For Kinetic bus driver John Gatt, based at Melbourne's Fitzroy North depot, the cause is a important one. This Movember marks his 10th year growing a Mo, a tradition he shares with his son Anthony as they raise funds for men’s health.

“It started as something Anthony and I did together, As we wanted to do our bit to raise awareness and start a conversation about men's health and ten years on it’s become a family tradition,” John said.

“Most blokes don’t like talking about their health, so the Mo does the talking for you. People ask about it, and before you know it you’re having a conversation you probably wouldn’t have had otherwise.

Even if we can help make a difference in one man's life it's worth it.

“Seeing our buses out there with their own Mos this year is pretty special. Every bit counts, whether that’s a donation or just asking a mate how he’s really going."

Charlene Brennan, APAC Country Director, Movember said: “Movember is all about turning everyday moments into meaningful conversations about men’s health. Kinetic’s Mo’s About Town activation will put that message on the move, giving thousands of people a reminder to check in on the men in their lives.

“It’s also a great example of a Growmitment in action: coming together to make a difference for men’s health. We’re proud to have Kinetic on board, helping spread the message far and wide."

Kinetic is encouraging everyone who spots a Mo on the move to use it as a prompt: check in with a mate, book that overdue health check or start a conversation about men’s health.