Little Known Facts 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?

No matter which game you play, you will be sure to see some pretty outrageous team mascots. Billy Buffalo is the mascot for the Buffalo Bills. When they come out to play, so does their eight foot tall mascot! When the Dallas Cowboys come to town, you can be sure to spot Rowdy the cowboy stirring up the crowd into a frenzy. Miles the white horse follows the Denver Broncos where ever they go. When the Indiana Pacers play, Boomer and Bowser come out too. When the Florida Marlins take the to field, so does Billy the Marlin. All sorts of sports teams have an animal as a good luck charm.

Some of these good luck figures, unfortunately, have met with controversy. Many of these are linked to previous images of Native North American which portrayed them as fierce of primitive. Teams such as the Redskins and the Chiefs have had to re-examine their names, their mascots and their fan based paraphernalia in order to be culturally sensitive. Restaurants, especially Mexican ones, have had to get rid of figures which perpetuated the image of the “lazy Mexican”.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are known for their unique mascots. The 2010 Games’ four furry figures, Sumi, Miga, Quatchi and MukMuk were popular with children and adults alike. Through sales of their stuffed likeness, the Games were able to support athletes and to help pay for the venues which were built for the event. However even Olympic mascots are not without controversy, just look at the heat that the British are taking for their figures Wenlock and Mandeville.

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?

Creating your own mascot is something that should take time and a lot of thought and planning. Make sure you spend time studying what has worked in the past for others in your line of business. Make sure that it is something that reflects your business values and will appeal to your public.

As the manufacturer of the world’s most lovable mascot, costumes, and characters, we also specialize in custom mascots that are suitable for almost any social context. Our fun sport mascot designs and theatrical costumes will bring joyous smiles to your audience!