SCREW IT, LET'S DO IT! November 19 is National Fearless Day

    
    -  Survey finds only half of Canadians think they are fearless!
    -  Richard Branson throws down challenge to find Canada's most fearless
       person
    -  Winner to be announced at a special event on November 19 by Richard
       himself!
    
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<p><location>TORONTO</location>, <chron>Oct. 28</chron> /CNW/ - <chron>November 19</chron> has been named National Fearless Day - a day when Canadians can officially say "SCREW IT, LET'S DO IT!" Ski naked, ask that secret crush out, do that bungee jump or ask for a massive raise. On <chron>November 19</chron> you can beat your fear and live out your dreams.</p>
<p>Plus it looks like Canadians could do with a day dedicated to conquering their fears. According to a national survey conducted by Angus Reid Strategies on behalf of Virgin Mobile <location>Canada</location>, only 49% of Canadians say they consider themselves fearless. The survey also found that the U.S. is considered the most fearless nation by Canadians compared to less than one in five Canadians (17%) who think <location>Canada</location> is the most fearless.</p>
<p>What's most surprising is that Canadians voted "riding a rollercoaster" the most fearless thing they've ever done, followed by "quitting their job"...which sounds sort of lame. National Fearless Day will kick things up a notch and inspire Canadians to really take charge.</p>
<p>"At Virgin we know what it takes to be fearless, whether it's racing across the Atlantic in record time or launching the first passenger space ship. Sometimes you have to stand up and face what scares you head on," said <person>Sir Richard Branson</person>, Virgin Mobile's fearless founder. "That's why we've made <chron>November 19</chron> National Fearless Day and launched the search to find Canada's most fearless person!"</p>
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    Canadian Fearless Facts

    -  No Fear Of Getting Old - Though many believe younger generations are
       the real risk takers, this survey found that Canadians over the age of
       55 are the most likely to say they are fearless (53%).
    -  Generation Scared - Canadians between 18 and 34 are the most likely to
       claim that they are not fearless (32%). Maybe it was that whole
       recession thing...
    -  Let's Get It On - 10% of Canadians aged 18-34 claim to have been
       fearless by making a sexy video for their significant other, while 24%
       have braved going on a blind date.
    -  Look Ma! No Ski Pants! - This year for National Fearless Day,
       Canadians will be doing everything from skydiving (24%) to skiing in
       the buff (3%).
    -  Thanks Balloon Boy! - Nearly a third of Canadians said the number one
       thing to do on National Fearless Day would be a trip in a hot air
       balloon.
    -  Fearless Olympians - 16% of Canadians said they would hurtle
       themselves down a luge track.
    -  Most Fearless - That distinction goes to Québec, where three out of
       five people think they are fearless. That's compared to only two out
       of five in Ontario.
    -  Canada's Got Talent - 31% believe singing in public is the most
       fearless thing they've done. Let's hope they were good.
    
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<p>For more tips and ideas, check out the National Fearless Day website <a href="http://www.nationalfearlessday.ca">www.nationalfearlessday.ca</a>. Packed with fearless stuff including polls, quizzes, videos, The Fear Meter, a Twitter feed, and soon to be released e-cards. <a href="http://www.nationalfearlessday.ca">www.nationalfearlessday.ca</a> is the one stop shop to being fearless and sharing your fearless stories. Plus you could win <money>$5,000</money> and get to meet Sir Richard Branson!</p>
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<p>The Search for Canada's Most Fearless Person</p>
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<p><person>Richard Branson</person> is searching for the most fearless Canadian....ever!</p>
<p>Canadians can submit a video online at <a href="http://www.nationalfearlessday.ca">www.nationalfearlessday.ca</a> explaining why they think they're the most fearless. Fans will then vote for the most fearless video until <chron>November 11, 2009</chron>.  The three finalists will be flown to <location>Toronto</location> and will compete on <chron>November 19</chron> in the National Fearless Championships, created and judged by the world's most fearless entrepreneur - <person>Richard Branson</person>.</p>
<p>The winner will be named Canada's most fearless person and win an award of <money>$5,000</money>.</p>
<p>For all the rules and regulations check out <a href="http://www.nationalfearlessday.ca">www.nationalfearlessday.ca</a></p>
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<p>About the Survey</p>
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<p>From <chron>October 16</chron> to <chron>October 19, 2009</chron>, Angus Reid Strategies conducted an online survey among 1,015 randomly selected Canadian adults who are Angus Reid Forum panelists. The margin of error-which measures sampling variability-is +/- 3.08%, 19 times out of 20. The results have been statistically weighted according to the most current education, age, gender and region Census data to ensure a sample representative of the entire adult population of <location>Canada</location>. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding.</p>
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<p>About Virgin Mobile</p>
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<p>The Virgin Mobile group of companies has attracted more than 12 million customers worldwide. As the No.1 mobile youth network, Virgin Mobile Canada's mission is to be Canada's most loved mobile company. Its simpler, better deals offer customers control, flexibility and choice to design mobile packages that truly works for them. J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Canadian Wireless Customer Satisfaction Study has awarded Virgin Mobile "Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Prepaid Wireless Service, Five Years in a Row"(1) and it has ranked Virgin Mobile "Highest in Customer Satisfaction With Postpaid Wireless Service"(2). 91% of customers would also recommend Virgin Mobile to a friend.</p>
<p>Virgin Mobile phones are available at more than 4,000 locations with top-up cards available at more than 10,000 locations nationally. Virgin Mobile products can also be purchased online at <a href="http://www.virginmobile.ca">www.virginmobile.ca</a> or by calling 1-888-999-2321.</p>
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    (1)  J.D. Power and Associates 2005-2009 Canadian Wireless Customer
         Satisfaction Studies(SM). Study based on 15,207 total responses from
         consumers with prepaid wireless service, measuring 5 wireless
         service providers. Proprietary study results are based on
         experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in October 2009.
         www.jdpower.com

    (2)  J.D. Power and Associates 2005-2009 Canadian Wireless Customer
         Satisfaction Studies(SM). Study based on 15,207 total responses from
         consumers with postpaid wireless service, measuring 9 wireless
         service providers. Proprietary study results are based on
         experiences and perceptions of consumers surveyed in October 2009.
         www.jdpower.com
    

For further information: or to arrange an interview, please contact: Erica Faltous, Hill & Knowlton Canada, [phone], [email protected]; Kayla Rochkin, Hill & Knowlton Canada, [phone], [email protected]