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Prepare yourself—the time has come for another instalment of Friday vibes. There is a lot of love in the Man of Many office today, and we’re eager to spread it around like a healthy dose of Lurpak on freshly toasted sourdough. From youth sports to new environmental initiatives, we’ve got everything you need to get the weekend off to a cracking start. Here’s Feel-Good Friday for your enjoyment.
Superdry Supports Grassroots Soccer
After teaming up with Brazilian football legend Neymar Jr., fashion label Superdry is getting back in the game. The clothing brand has launched a new campaign, ‘Superdry Superstar’, which celebrates the future faces of football by supporting grassroots teams. Fronted by arguably Australia’s most iconic footballer, John Aloisi, the new campaign also introduces fans to the next big names in A-League, including Western United’s Abel Walatee and the youngest-ever A-League goal scorer, Melbourne City’s Max Caputo.
However, the campaign doesn’t simply stop at superstar players. On July 22, Superdry will launch a call for the young guns of tomorrow, encouraging local teams and clubs across VIC and NSW to share their star-quality moments for a chance to win prizes and funding up to $20,000. As part of the campaign, Superdry will invest $5,000 each in four winning clubs that are a breeding ground for players setting their sights overseas. Additionally, Superdry reward runners-up with Superdry off-field kit and Superdry Superstar draft recruits will appear in a further campaign, launching on 16th September.
“So many of Australia’s young guns leave the country to head onto their international journey before Australia has a chance to celebrate them, this is a great campaign for grassroots soccer, unearthing and supporting the players of the future,” Aloisi said.
R.M. Williams Announces B Corp Certification
After renewing its domestic ties a few years back, iconic Aussie bootmaker R.M. Williams has announced its B Corp certification. The announcement solidifies the brand’s emphasis on social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency – values that R.M. Williams says has underpinned its entire 92-year-history.
The B Corp certification formally acknowledges the brand’s positive impact across the categories of Governance, Workers, Community, Environment and Customers, with R.M. Williams achieving a total score of 88.6. In addition to this, the brand unveiled a comprehensive Sustainability Playbook, which offers insights, progress updates and objectives. The document focuses on the three core missions of said strategy: to shape Australian craftsmanship, to make regenerative products and to craft products that endure.
“We are immensely proud to have obtained B Corp certification, in recognition of our ‘Crafting a better future’ strategy and the many ways in which we’re enacting positive change in every corner of our business,” R.M. Williams chief sustainability & strategy officer Angela Winkle said. “R.M. Williams was founded on the principles of circularity and quality some 92 years ago, and under the ownership of Andrew and Nicola Forrest, we’ve seen our sustainability journey continue with renewed passion and focus.”
Deadpool & Wolverine’s Saucy New Trailer
Some people just go together like ketchup and mustard, and Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman’s on-screen counterparts are precisely that. Ahead of the July 25 release of the long-awaited flick Deadpool and Wolverine, the superhero duo has dropped a saucy new teaser that cannot be unseen. Voiced by Deadpool himself, Ryan Reynolds, the new short film addresses something fans have been noticing for months—the pair’s signature red and yellow suits look eerily similar to the old HEINZ Ketchup and Mustard combo.
“I don’t spend much time on the internet,” Ryan Reynolds, actor, writer, and producer of Deadpool & Wolverine said. “When my assistant faxed me a photocopy of a memo (he spelled it ‘meme’ – ugh, assistants amirite?) wherein Deadpool and Wolverine were identified as a HEINZ Ketchup and Mustard bottle, respectively, I thought nothing of it and went back to my book and tea. But the faxes kept on coming! So, the idea was hatched to actually partner with HEINZ to bring this memo to life. Huzzah!”
Kick-starting the new campaign, the short film opens like a new spot for Deadpool & Wolverine, but quickly morphs into an ad for HEINZ Ketchup & Mustard. In his classic fourth wall-breaking style, Reynolds (as Deadpool) comes to the shocking realization that he and Wolverine look exactly like HEINZ Ketchup & Mustard bottles.
“After seeing the conversation on social media highlighting the similarities between our two iconic duos – Deadpool & Wolverine and HEINZ Ketchup & Mustard – we knew we had to team up with the film,” Lizzy Goodman, brand communications manager for HEINZ U.S. at The Kraft Heinz Company said. “Once we made that connection – we couldn’t unsee it – as these similarities go beyond colour. One’s sweet, one’s zesty. Everybody has a favourite, but really, they’re better together.”
Ben & Jerry’s Final Free Cone Day Celebration of 2024
Everyone’s favourite ice cream purveyor, Ben & Jerry’s, has announced its final free cone day of 2024, and it’s a big one. On Tuesday, 23 July, the legendary company will head to Bondi Beach to thank its legion of fans by serving up a monster amount of delicious treats. Earlier in the year, Ben & Jerry’s set a target of dishing up one million scoops of ice cream across the world during the Free Cone Day event, but feel agonisingly short at 997,544 scoops. Now, the team is back to give it another crack.
“Free Cone Day is our annual celebration where we thank fans for supporting us over the past 12 months, and so far, with just one store left to go, we have given away 998,000 free scoops,” Bruce Lambert, head of retail ANZ at Ben & Jerry’s said. “Bondi Beach will be the last store in the world to celebrate Free Cone Day, and we are hoping to give away enough free ice cream to surpass the 1m mark and break our own record for the most ice cream we have ever given away! So come on down to Bondi on Tuesday 23rd July for free ice cream on us, and if you happen to be the one-millionth customer, there will also be a very special prize just for you!”
As Lambert alluded to, the lucky customer who secures the millionth scoop will nab a year’s supply of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream. But that’s not the only prize up for grabs. To keep fans entertained while waiting in line for a free scoop of their favourite flavour, they can try their luck at a spin-to-win game with the chance to win some sweet prizes. Ben & Jerry’s Free Cone Day will kick off on 23 July from 12pm at the chain’s Bondi Beach outlet.
Fujifilm Kickstarts Aussies’ Content Creator Dreams
Camera company Fujifilm is giving away almost AUD$150,000 in grants to help bolster the next generation of content creators. As part of Fujifilm’s GFX Challenge Grant Award Program, five talented global award recipients will each receive over $14,000 AUD ($10,000 USD) to assist in bringing their photography and videography projects to life, while a further ten regional award recipients will score over $7,000 AUD ($5,000 USD) each.
“At Fujifilm, we’re passionate about inspiring creativity and curiosity through the lens of photography – and that’s why we’re really excited to be bringing the Fujifilm GFX Challenge back again this year,” Shaun Mah, general manager of the Electronic Imaging & Optical Devices Division at Fujifilm Australia said. “The Challenge presents a rare opportunity for content creators to bring a passion project of theirs to life – and with the mentoring and financial backing of an established photography brand too. We can’t wait to see this year’s collection of creative entries and are delighted by the prospect of helping Australian creatives unlock their potential.”
All winning content will be showcased in an exhibition, as well as on the fujifilm-x.com website. Australian photography enthusiasts can enter the GFX Challenge from today until 15 September 2024 online via the Fujifilm GFX Challenge 2024 website.
Uber Launches New Holiday and Regional Features
Uber has announced a range of new features designed to bolster regional tourism and holiday travel while also expanding its service range. After launching dedicated pick-up zones across six Australian airports this year, the ride-sharing platform is set to scale Uber Intercity rides, introduce a new Uber Rent offering, and make travel easier than ever.
“Our ambition is to be the ultimate travel companion app for every trip need, getting you seamlessly from A to B,” Emma Foley, managing director of Uber ANZ said. “Whether that’s meeting consumer demand at the kerbside in our airports, enabling riders to book convenient long-distance rides or renting a car with the tap of a button – we want to give people options, help them move and fuel their love for travel.”
As per the announcement, Uber is launching services in several new regional cities and towns, from the Whitsundays to Wodonga, and relaunching an improved service in six locations, bringing the brand’s presence to 50 Australian cities. From there, Uber Intercity is set to expand, offering riders the opportunity to be connected with top-rated drivers for a private trip in a vehicle of their choice. With flexible booking options, travellers can reserve a ride up to 90 days in advance or book on the go, and can split costs with friends and family picked up along the way.
Most exciting of all, Uber Rent is the platform’s new car reservation option. With this integration, you can book a vehicle at your closest hub or airport, and drop off the car at your destination. Powered by third party partner, Car Trawler, customers can reserve a car from close to 30 rental partners including Avis, Hertz and more in over 1700+ locations across Australia.
