Hamish & Andy Launch Movember’s MAYEIGHT!! Campaign

A graffiti mural of Australia’s comedy duo, Hamish Blake and Andy Lee, has sprung up overnight in Melbourne’s iconic Hosier Lane in celebration of MAYEIGHT!! – the date to catch up with a mate.
The artwork, which was created by street artist Ling and took 17 hours to complete, was commissioned by men’s health charity the Movember Foundation to celebrate the launch of their fourth annual MAYEIGHT!! (May 8, maaaate) campaign.
MAYEIGHT!! encourages Aussie men to use the date to catch up with a mate in order to tackle social isolation and improve mental health among men.
This year Movember is urging guys to take their mateship to the next level, with these three simple steps: Step Up. Catch Up. Speak Up.
A Movember Foundation spokesperson said: “We chose to celebrate Hamish & Andy this MAYEIGHT!! as two of Australia’s most iconic mates.
“Their mateship that has endured the public spotlight for more than 16 years, they’ve been there for each other through thick and thin and are obviously very comfortable and open in their mateship – not all mates could hang out with their Pants-Off every Friday.
“This is the kind of mateship we’d encourage all guys to nurture, and they can start this May 8 with a simple conversation.”
Ling said: “I’ve had mates that have gone through tough times and I’m becoming increasingly aware of being mindful of that.
“Often times when I’ve had mates go through tough times, they just haven’t had the confidence to bring it up themselves.
“For me, it’s about just checking in and having those open conversations.
“It’s often just that the right conversation hasn’t been had or the right question hasn’t been asked.”
Ling continued: “This is very much an issue in the creative space, something which I’ve seen amongst much of the community.
“They go through a tough time and they don’t reach out. Basically, if you think they’re a little off, take the time to actually ask if they’re doing okay and check in with them.”
The Movember research study
The study, which coincides with the launch of the Movember Foundation’s fourth annual MAYEIGHT!!
campaign, also revealed around half of the 500 men surveyed wanted to spend more time with their current mates, while one third said they hadn’t made any new close mates in the past two years.
Movember Foundation global director of mental health & suicide prevention, Brendan Maher said: “It’s not just older men who are at risk of becoming socially isolated or lonely.
“Even young men – who on the surface may appear to be more connected – can struggle to maintain relationships with their mates.”
By encouraging blokes to take part in an official day of mateship on Wednesday, May 8, Movember’s
MAYEIGHT!! campaign aims to tackle social isolation and improve mental health among Aussie men.
Maher added: “There’s a high chance you have a mate who is feeling lonely or isolated but isn’t letting on that he’s struggling.
“This May 8, we’re urging men to step up, put some solid plans in the diary and set themselves the challenge of talking about the stuff that really matters with a mate.
“It’s a great excuse to reconnect with an old mate and can work wonders to strengthen your friendship with a potential new mate.”
The study also highlighted that men most needed the support of their mates while going through a mental or physical health issue (27 per cent).
This was followed by major life changes like the breakdown of a relationship (21 per cent), losing a loved one (9 per cent), losing their job (8 per cent) or becoming a dad (6 per cent).
Men aged 25-44 were most likely to need support from their mates during a breakup.
Maher explained: “Pressure points in men’s lives can have a flow-on effect to their social lives.
“This can include big changes like going through a breakup or becoming a dad, where you shoulder more family responsibilities and have less time for your mates.
“Going through these changes can be tough for guys, particularly as they tend to bond and connect over shared experiences and activities such as watching a sports match or going to a gig.”
Maher continued: “Making time for these ‘shoulder to shoulder’ activities is crucial, not just on May 8 but year-round.
“Taking part in an activity with a mate, rather than a ‘face to face’ catch up allows guys to feel more
comfortable, meaning they’re more likely to open up and have a meaningful conversation.”
In addition, the research found 37 per cent of men would turn to their partner if they were going through a
tough time, while around 26 per cent would rely on a mate and 15 per cent would turn to a family member.
Men were also more likely to rely on a partner as they got older, with 50 per cent of men aged 35-44 nominating their partner as their main support.
Maher said that while partners were often a reliable source of support, it was vital that men establish support networks outside of their relationship – particularly when life events like divorce, relationship breakdown or the loss of a loved one had the potential to leave them socially isolated.
Latest News

Doritos Champions Infamous Orange Dust In New Campaign Via VaynerMedia, TRIO & Mango Communications
There's three absolute givens at any B&T bash - the Jatz, the Dorito and the fruity lexia.

Alan Jones (AKA Gloria) Threatens To Sue Nine Papers Over Indecent Assault Allegations
Why does B&T get the feeling that Alan might actually enjoy a stint in an all-male prison?

Adobe: Calming Rhythms, Nostalgia & Wonder & Joy Set To Dominate Creativity
Be first to read the Adobe Creative Trends 2024 Report here. And there's sparse news for fans of the knickerbocker.

Archibald Williams Wins NBA Digital, Activation & Fan Engagement Accounts For APAC
Independent brand and digital agency, Archibald Williams (AW) has been appointed to lead the NBA account across the APAC region. The NBA is one of the most prestigious sporting leagues in the world and basketball is one of the fastest-growing sports in Australia. Effective immediately, AW said it was “excited” to work across all digital, […]

Tennis Bad Boy Nick Kyrgios To Create New Athlete Content On OnlyFans
Tennis brat takes time off from embarrassing the nation to reveal new social media initiative.

Before Adland: The Media Store’s Sam Cousin’s Journey From Parisienne Nanny To Chief Strategy Officer
B&T's shining a light on industry folk prior to adland. Preference given to anyone purporting actual UFO abduction.

Thursday TV Ratings: Seven’s Big Bash Debuts To Sluggish 318K
The fact that it's December, meteorologically confirms summer is officially here. Cricket just gives it a nudge along.

Spotify CFO Walks As Problems Grow For Streaming Giant
Spotify CFO heads for the Spotify exits. Has requested "Don't You Forget About Me" as preferred leaving song.

TV Reporter Gives Withering Takedown After Being Fat Shamed Live On Air
Haven't yelled "you go, girl" for some time now? Clear the throat and ready the fist pumps with this overnight news.

BBC Presenter Left Red-Faced After Sticking Middle Finger Up LIVE-ON-AIR!
B&T warns this article contains gesticulations readers may find offensive. Yet, nothing you don't see driving every day.

QMS Champions Creativity As First Most Contagious APAC 2023 Sponsor
Leading digital outdoor company QMS has announced it is the first-ever inaugural partner for Most Contagious APAC, the landmark London event by creative and strategic intelligence company Contagious, which will be showcased in Australia on Tuesday, 12 December in Sydney and Wednesday, 13 December in Melbourne. Most Contagious is an event that delivers key advertising […]

OMG’s Annalect First To Get Meta’s Advanced Analytics
Omnicom’s data and analytics division Annalect has partnered with Meta, giving it access to Advanced Analytics (AA) – one of Meta’s privacy-focused measurement solutions – to provide Omnicom’s clients with future-proof, next-level measurement. Omnicom is the first holding company to have access to AA. AA allows advertisers to combine their first-party data with Meta’s ads […]

Foxtel Wins Exclusive Multi-Year Rights Extension With International Cricket Boards
Are you such a weird cricket tragic you even watch games when NOT played in Australia? Foxtel has exciting news for you.

News Corp Launches One-Off Taylor Swift Mag Ahead Of Aussie Tour
Thought we'd reached peak Tay Tay overload? News Corp declares "f@ck that" with a new print iteration.

It’s Quiz Time: Team B&T Got 100% – Can You?
Take B&T's Friday trivia, outrageously cheat, & go into the draw to win a $100 booze voucher! Alcohol & con artistry!

AKQA Launches Eco-Conscious AI DIY Assistant Encouraging People To Gift More Sustainably
WPP’s AKQA has launched Fixmas.gift, an environmentally conscious AI-powered DIY assistant, affectionately known as Fixie, for a one-stop solution for all things repair. Fixmas.gift hosts an array of guides and inspiration to empower people to prolong the lives of their belongings or purchase pre-owned items that need a little love and care. Fixie can: Help […]

wildbean cafe Launches Cheesy New Campaign Via Ogilvy
B&T feels like we're cheating on our barista with this news. And, for that, we'd like to apologise to 7-Eleven too.

Chris Freel Announces Departure From UnLtd
UnLtd boss, Chris Feel, announces departure after six years. Says he won't miss those shithouse industry cricket games.

Marc Collister: AI & Automation Set To Revolutionise Creativity In 2024
Marc Collister (pictured) of P2 Content Creators spills the beans on his 2024 predictions drawing from two decades of experience in the advertising, film and television industry. I’m certain it will come as no surprise that in 2024, we can expect our industry to move at breakneck speed again. With even more rapid shifts in […]

Reddit Recap Reveals That Aussies Went Nuts For The Tillies, Eurovision And, Erm, Finance
Reddit reveals its hits and its misses for 2023. Oddly, Meghan strangely absent from either list.

Zeno Group Australia Bolsters Client Offerings With An Expanded Creative Services Portfolio & New Senior Leader
Zeno Australia has announced expanded creative design capabilities and the appointment of Jim Michell (lead image) to its senior leadership team. The new moves support strong growth in the region. Zeno Australia’s clients, including Abano Healthcare, Motorola and Yorkshire Tea, can now tap into a suite of creative design services to augment the agency’s work […]

Spikes Asia Announces Its 2024 Jury Line-Up
This is a wake-up call to start planning your 2024. Even more so if 2023 turned out a badly planned disaster.

Assembled Media Inks TikTok Creator Campaign for BIC
Assembled Media, is drawing upon the creative power of TikTok Creator Marketplace to help generate unique, impactful content for iconic stationery brand, BIC. The social activation campaign titled ‘A Pen for Every Side of You’ promotes the flexibility of BIC’s 4 Colours pen and is active nationwide on the BIC Stationery TikTok account. The campaign […]

Wednesday TV Ratings: Aussies Sign Up For Taronga Zoo
With animals proving a ratings winner for the networks yet again, we're expecting odd marsupial cooking mash-ups soon.

If You Can’t Beat The System, Cheat The System: Hardhat Launches ‘Cheat Codes For Challenger Brands’.
Independent creative and CX agency Hardhat has launched an Australian-first suite of growth accelerators; ‘Cheat Codes for Challenger Brands’.

Melinda Petrunoff: Pinterest Predicts Is A “Cheat Sheet” For 2024
Pinterest reckons jellyfish & moody cowboys will be big in 2024. Refused to be drawn on the return of shoulder pads.

IAB Launches Fourth Module In Its Marketing Measurement Innovation Series
IAB Australia has launched ‘Evolution in Market Mix Modelling’, the fourth module in its Marketing Measurement Innovation Series, which has been developed by IAB Australia’s Ad Effectiveness Council. The module explores what is driving the increased use of MMM and how the technique is evolving with advances in computing power and machine learning to provide […]

Scope3 Expands Carbon Measurement Capabilities To Include DOOH Advertising
Scope3, the collaborative sustainability platform leading the decarbonisation of media and advertising, announced the addition of digital out-of-home (DOOH) to its emissions measurement. With DOOH ad spending predicted to grow from $17B in 2023 to nearly $24B by 2028, measuring this channel brings us one step closer to understanding the total impact of digital advertising […]

VOZ Enters Final Phase Of Total TV Viewing
This headline can be made so much more appealing by reading it with a Darth Vader-like inflection.

Selfies! Swipes! Scrolling! It’s The Best Of The Best Social Media Directors, Presented By Finecast, Part Of GroupM Nexus
Social media's far more than faffing about with videos of the office dog, as these digital maestros attest.

Thinkerbell Unveils Pringles “Shoot From The Chip” After Winning Competitive Pitch
Other than heroin, nicotine and Sex In The City re-runs, is there anything more addictive than the Pringle chip?

Now Open For Registration – NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific
NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific, is now open for online registrations for the main conference. Jointly organized by the National Retail Federation and Comexposium, Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific will take place from 11 – 13 June, 2024 at the Sands Expo and Convention Centre in Singapore and is expected to draw thousands […]

“He Cannot Die Without People Knowing What He’s Done”: Alan Jones Accused Of Indecently Assaulting Young Men
As sad as it is to say about these unsavoury allegations, why does it not come as any real surprise?

B&T TV – Jasmin Bedir On Why Trade Media Needs To “Drop The Shade”
Much like the arrival of tequila shots, you know you're in for a rollicking good time when Jasmin Bedir gets involved.

Kmart Does Christmas Via Dentsu Creative
Kmart is always B&T's one-stop shop at Christmas. Particularly for people we don't overly like.

Wavemaker Promotes James Boardman To Chief Strategy Officer
James Boardman amps up his Dungeons & Dragons creds as he's named Wavemaker's chief strategy officer.