What Do You Know About Mascots?
What, you may wonder, are mascots? Can they be a fluffy figure that kids adore and cuddle? Is it a logo or object that an organization considers to be a good luck charm? Is it an animal or a person whose presence brings good fortune for a team? The answer may surprise you. The answer is yes.
There are many types of these figures. They may be good luck for a sports team. They may act as an ambassador of good will for a service agency such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Who can forget their Crash Test Dummies, Vince and Larry in their blue test jump suits?
Sports mascots tend to be large and cuddly. They are friendly with children. They are filled with energy and cheer on their team from the side lines. Examples of these are Rowdy for the Dallas Cowboys, Billy the Marlin for the Florida Marlins and Boomer and Bowser for the Indiana Pacers.
Cultural sensitivity has come into play in the creation of mascots in recent years. Some sports teams have come under fire for the way in which they have portrayed the indigenous groups which have given their names to their team. As a result, teams like the Chiefs and the Redskins have had to undergo a change in appearance, changing their mascot and their paraphernalia. Restaurants have had to get rid of advertising that misrepresented Mexican or Spanish speaking people as being slow or lazy.
Who can forget the mascots of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics? The mythical characters of Quatchi, Miga, Sumi and Mukmuk were mobbed by adoring fans everywhere they went during the Olympic events. These popular figures did more than generate good will for the Olympics, they also generated a lot of income to support the building of the Olympic venues in Canada!
Even political parties sometimes rally behind an animal figure. In the United States, each political party banner bears an animal, hence their nicknames in common caricature and literature.
There have been some very famous mascots that have now passed into the annals of history. How many people remember Birdie the Early Bird, the Grimace and the Hamburgler, Ronald’s old companions in television commercials? Who now remembers Rosie the Waitress mopping up spills with her favorite paper towel or Mr. Whipple and his favorite brand of bathroom tissue?
If you are thinking of creating a mascot, take some time to think it through. Do not jump on the first design that is thrown at you. Consider what values you want your public face to show to your community. Get feedback from your business advisers to create a figure that will have lasting impact and visibility.
Tags: Costume