'Stache by 'Stache: Ogury’s Movember Journey

For Ogury, November means our annual Movember campaign! Supporting the Movember Foundation, this global charity focuses on transforming the face of men’s health from groundbreaking research for cancer treatment, to innovative mental health support initiatives. While this month's focus is on supporting men’s health, with company-wide efforts to help steer the ‘stache, our employees genuinely bring this initiative to life. As Melisa Zenicanin, Director of Field Marketing, APAC, puts it, “Most men tend to suffer in silence so these initiatives help bring people together and foster an environment where people feel more open sharing personal experiences.”

Moving with Purpose

For November, our employees tackled 60 km for a cause. Whether through walking, running, cycling or even rollerblading, each kilometer clocked brings us closer to the 60 men lost to suicide every hour worldwide. Beyond the numbers, it’s the personal connections and stories that motivate us. The camaraderie has been palpable, with colleagues cheering each other on on Slack, and our employees traversed a whopping 4,895 km in total, triggering a donation of $580 from Ogury to the Movember Foundation. 

FUNdraising through Mustaches 

For some, the highlight of Movember has been the mustache challenge. Whether sporting real or fake facial hair, employees have stepped up and grown it out! Group selfies and individual shots have filled our Slack, each triggering a donation to the Movember Foundation, for a total of $1,610. 

Participant Rich Bobe, Senior Publisher Development Director, shared some humor from this initiative: “The funniest reaction to my mustache has been people pointing out how many white hairs I have compared to the last time I did this.”

The mustache challenge has helped normalize conversations about health and vulnerability, proving that even a playful activity can have a profound impact. 

Sweet Support through Bake Offs

Another cherished tradition of this initiative? Our Movember Bake Offs! Employees across our offices whipped up homemade treats for bake sales, sparking friendly competition and a sweet way to raise funds. While the cakes and cookies have been delicious, what stands out most is the spirit of collaboration, with employees coming together to bake, organize and celebrate this initiative - and raising $1,580 along the way. 

A Workshop with Impact

One of the most powerful aspects of this year’s campaign was our live workshop on men’s mental health. This session provided a safe space to discuss issues like vulnerability, mental health stigma and the alarming statistics surrounding men’s health. Employees reflected on how these discussions helped them connect with the men in their lives. As Gabriela Suarez Garcia, Culture Lead, puts it, “Workplaces play a pivotal role in supporting men’s health by fostering open communication and creating environments where vulnerability is seen as a strength, not a weakness. When employers prioritize their wellbeing, it sets a powerful example and makes it easier for everyone to seek help when needed.”

Making Movember Personal 

While Ogury's donations and efforts create a solid foundation, our employees' connections to Movember truly drive its success. As Rich puts it, “Movember allows us to be more conscious of the various issues that impact men's health on a daily basis. I have personally thought more about the health and wellness of men in my family and myself during this journey and have made efforts to let the men in my life know if they need to talk, I am always here for them. Also, pushing for them to always get medical checkups for preventative measures.”

From traversing 60km to growing (or faking) mustaches, and from baking cakes to fostering conversations about mental health, Movember at Ogury has been a collective effort filled with heart. The month-long campaign has sparked conversation, but the real success lies in how employees carry these lessons forward, continuing to advocate for men’s health long after the mustaches are gone. As Dimitar Kostadinov, Senior Director AdOps APAC, learned, "44% of Movember participants said they confided in a friend about mental health when struggling (compared to 17% of the general population) and 75% of Movember participants stayed in touch with friends and family (compared to 50% of the general population) - it's important to talk about these topics and continue to raise awareness." So let’s keep moving, baking, talking and making a difference!