Bryon Hill, Global Head of Technology - Movember Foundation talks with Jeff Frick at AWS Imagine Nonprofit 2019 from Seattle, WA. #MovemberFoundation #AWS #theCUBE https://siliconangle.com/2019/09/06/more-than-a-hairy-problem-movember-builds-a-global-organization-to-improve-mens-health-imagineabetterworld-guestoftheweek/ Hairy problem: Movember builds a global organization to improve men’s health Men are dying in startling numbers, and growing a mustache just might help. Three major causes — prostate cancer, testicular cancer and suicide — account for why men are dying, on average, six years earlier than women. Forty-five men die of prostate cancer every hour, and 60 males will die from suicide in the same amount of time. A way to address this sobering trend was started in 2003 when two men were having a beer in an Australian pub and joked about bringing the mustache back in style. When the conversation turned to a friend’s mother who was raising money for breast cancer, the two mates were inspired to see if they could find 30 men who would each donate $10 to support men’s health and grow a mustache in solidarity for the cause. The Movember movement was born. “We realized that men’s health was in a state of crisis,” said Byron Hill (pictured), head of technology at the Movember Foundation. “We’re really trying to develop unique messaging to talk to men in a very direct way. It’s been one way we’ve tried to get some ‘cut thorough’ to really make a difference.” Hill spoke with Jeff Frick, host of theCUBE, SiliconANGLE Media’s mobile livestreaming studio, during the AWS Imagine event in Seattle Washington. They discussed the organization’s history and growth, how Movember leverages the experiences of afflicted men to generate new services, key strategic partnerships, and the group’s highly effective marketing campaign (see the full interview with transcript here). This week, theCUBE features Byron Hill as its Guest of the Week. Over $837 million raised Since that fateful conversation over beer in 2003, Movember has grown into an international phenomenon. The non-governmental organization has raised over $837 million across 20 countries and initiated a number of global projects in support of men’s health. The organization’s name is a blending of the Australian-English word for mustache or “mo” with the month of November, when efforts were focused on raising awareness around men’s health issues. Women, or “Mo Sistas,” are encouraged to participate as well through various fundraising efforts and contributing to the conversation around men’s health. Movember’s founders soon realized that the simple act of growing a mustache ignited interest and dialogue that could benefit a worthy cause. “People were coming up and asking them, ‘What’s that thing on your lip?’” Hill said. “They realized the power of the mustache was something much more. It created conversations; it allowed people to connect with one another.” Research drives new products It would be tempting to view Movember as simply a clever marketing campaign that focused global attention on important health issues. Yet, the group’s philosophy and strategic approach to building an effective organization carries the hallmarks of a business model that offers its own lessons in achieving success. An example of this can be found in product research. Many businesses will make the mistake of assuming that the product or solution it is delivering is precisely what the market wants, without first getting the customer involved. Five years ago, the Movember Foundation announced the launch of TrueNTH, a global program focused on improving the quality of life for men with prostate cancer. The program, designed to provide lifestyle advice and treatment information, came from dialogue with men who were being treated for the disease themselves. “Imagine the power you could have by bringing the community to the table when you’re designing a new product,” Hill said. “We try to do that all the time, having a man in the room who suffered from prostate cancer. The insights they give you will very quickly highlight that you may have no idea what the problem is.” Partnerships to meet goals Like many businesses, Movember has also reached out and formed partnerships to help in its battle with prostate and testicular cancer. Groups such as the Irish Cancer Society, the Prostate Cancer Foundation, and the Prevention Institute have partnered with Movember. In the past month, Genie Solutions Pty Ltd., provider of medical practice management software, announced that it would work with the foundation to provide digital tools to help men with prostate cancer manage their health. This is in addition to corporate partnerships the group has formed with Mastercard Inc., The Men’s Wearhouse Inc. and Schick Hydro. ...