Former world mountain running champion Melissa Moon will help kick off a revolutionary new way to train for one of Wellingtons largest fitness events on Monday with the launch of the Vector Mobile Mob (VMM).The Vector Mobile Mob has been developed based on the FLASH-mob concept that has taken on an almost cult status around the world. Organised with the help of the internet or other digital communications, FLASH-mobs involve the sudden assembly of people in a public place to do something unusual or notable.

Vector, one of New Zealands largest network infrastructure companies, is the major sponsor of the annual Wellington Round the Bays fun run/walk and has developed the initiative to assist people in preparing for the event.

Vector sponsorship and communications manager Denise Bailey says the Mobile Mob is believed to be the first of its kind in New Zealand and has been designed to motivate people of all fitness levels to train for the Sunday February 19 event.

This year we wanted to do something different and what better way than to help people get ready for the big event and have a bit of fun at the same time. The Vector Mobile Mob is a great concept as it connects people and communities - something Vector does every day through our electricity, gas and technology businesses.

Ms Bailey says the Vector Mobile Mob is open to anyone, from novices to fitness fanatics, and is designed to provide a friendly, group based training regime in the weeks leading up to the event

Beginning this Monday (16 January) Vector Mobile Mob members will meet during the week at a nominated location and time for a guided group run or walk. Former world mountain running champion Melissa Moon will lead the runners in their first training session.

Details of where and when each training session are to be held will be sent via text message to members mobile phones the evening prior to each session. This will also be followed up with a friendly reminder, for those struggling to get motivated, the morning of the training session.

The Vector Mobile Mob will help people remain motivated and is ideal for those who feel like some company whilst training for the event, or who just fancy running or walking with a group of like-minded people, says Ms Bailey.

TOUCH/CAST, the creative team behind the initiative says the concept has great potential.

Vector approached us to investigate how it could assist Sport Wellington to add value to the event in a relevant and engaging way. It wanted to go beyond the well-worn, traditional naming
sponsor path and generate a real feeling of community, says TOUCH/CAST partner Andrew
Hawley.

The Mobile Mob concept fitted extremely well with their vision and has already attracted some great support. We expect a good turnout at the first event.

Mr Hawley says the Vector Mobile Mob initiative is a pilot at this stage, but is scaleable.

If it is successful at this event, it is possible that a more comprehensive version may be rolled out in the future.

Breathe Communications were TOUCH/CASTs development partner for the project.

To register for the Vector Mobile Mob, go to www.vmm.co.nz or text VMM to 8785.

ends

Contact:
Denise Bailey
Sponsorship and Communications Manager
Ph: 09 978 7826
Mob: 021 270 9513