It’s AFL Grand Final eve and Swans fever has officially hit Sydney. The red and white army is prepping their festivities and getting the beers cold for what promises to be a delectable day of footy, but before we dive in, there is work to be done. Kicking off your big weekend with a touch of positivity, here’s another instalment of Feel-Good Friday.
Ralph Lauren Launches Pink Pony Campaign with McGrath Foundation
Iconic fashion brand Ralph Lauren has announced its official partnership with the McGrath Foundation as part of the 2024 Pink Pony campaign in Australia. Centred around the theme of ‘Live Well. Be Well.’, the 2024 campaign is designed to inspire Aussies to be proactive about their health, consider preventative cancer care and take care of themselves and their loved ones.
It’s all part of Ralph Lauren’s more than 30-year commitment to raising awareness in the fight against cancer. The Pink Pony Initiative, the company’s worldwide initiative, supports programs for research, screenings, early diagnosis, treatment, education and patient navigation. This commitment was deeply inspired by Ralph Lauren’s friend, American fashion editor Nina Hyde’s diagnosis, leading to a sustained effort to support cancer research globally.
For this year’s campaign, Ralph Lauren has released a diverse collection of men’s, women’s and children’s pieces alongside a host of accessories emblazoned with a fresh black and pink palette. Best of all, the brand has confirmed that 25 per cent of the gross sales from all Pink Pony products sold in Australia will be donated directly to the McGrath Foundation.
Further to that, 100 per cent of the gross sales from the Ralph Lauren “LIVE/LOVE” Collection, including the unisex cap and cashmere sweater, will be donated to support the Foundation’s vital work in Australia. All items will be available to purchase in Australia from September 30th in select Ralph Lauren stores, online and in select global wholesale stores.
Lennox Hastie’s Pintxo Challenge
You know him as the enigmatic and inspiring chef behind the internationally recognised Firedoor restaurant, but Lennox Hastie isn’t above asking for ideas. The renowned culinary master has thrown out an open call to the foodie world, inviting Aussies to pitch their own Pintxo ideas for the chance to snag a money-can’t-buy experience at his Gilda’s restaurant.
Interested parties need to pitch their pintxo idea, creating their own interpretation of the mighty Gilda with just three simple ingredients. From there, Hastie’s team at Gilda’s will celebrate the most delicious and innovative idea by putting it on the menu, giving the winner the opportunity to enjoy their three-ingredient masterpiece with three friends in true Basque fashion – surrounded by great company and exceptional Sherry. Submissions close on 16 October, so get your ideas in quick for a chance to dine at one of Sydney’s most tantalising restaurants.
Domino’s Delivers Mental Health Awareness with Conversation Cards
In honour of Australia’s Mental Health Awareness Month this October, pizza chain Domino’s is handing out Conversation Cards to encourage them to check in with their loved ones. Designed in collaboration with headspace, the cards have been created as a tool to help initiate important conversations around mental health, anxiety and overall well-being.
“As an employer of choice for thousands of young Aussies and Kiwis, it’s important that we care”, Domino’s ANZ CEO Kerri Hayman said. “This campaign aims to raise awareness about the importance of mental health, as well as encourage our customers to engage in conversations about mental health with their loved ones. After all, no matter who you are or what you’re going through, pizza has a way of making things better. We’re big believers that pizza brings people closer!”
The Conversation Cards are part of Domino’s wider Minds & Meals charity network, created to support youth mental health. The cards will be given away in Domino’s Australia stores on Wednesday, 2 October, in recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month while stocks last.
Brian Cox Takes on Workplace Mental Health with ASICS
Logan Roy really cares, well sort of. To mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October, ASICS has joined forces with Succession actor Brian Cox to deliver a warning to the world to get away from their desks and move for their mental health. The brand has released a cheeky new advertisement calling on the world’s workers to take a ‘Desk Break’ and engage in at least 15 minutes of movement, with Cox playing a larger-than-life boss.
“I’ve played some pretty intimidating characters in my time but who would have thought a desk could be scarier?” Cox said about the new role. “It’s great to see ASICS try and do something about this and encourage people to support their mental health through exercise. As I say in the film, run, jump, roller skate. I don’t care. Just move for your mind.”
The new ASICS and Brian Cox campaign comes after the brand released its global State of Mind study, which suggested that sedentary behaviour can lead to a decline in mental well-being. According to the results, Australians who are sedentary for 10 to 12 hours a day reported a significantly lower State of Mind score of 45/100 versus those who were sedentary for only 4 to 6 hours a day, 63/100. For desk workers, just 15 minutes of movement can help to reverse the effects.
“We have shown previously that just 15 minutes of exercise in leisure time can result in a meaningful improvement in people’s State of Mind scores,” Dr Brendon Stubbs, a leading researcher in exercise and mental health from King’s College London said. “But what surprised us with the Desk Break experiment was how powerful the 15-minute movement breaks were in improving well-being and reducing stress. It even changed people’s perceptions of their workplace for the better.”
In addition to the new campaign, ASICS is calling on workers to propose a Desk Break as part of their company’s working day. On World Mental Health Day, 10 October 2024, ASICS is inviting office workers to join the DeskBreak movement and feel the mental benefits. Office workers who are able to take a 15-minute Desk Break are encouraged to share an image of their empty desk, with images shared raising funds for mental health charities around the world.
