Have you ever wondered just what a mascot is? While most think of some fluffy cute figure that might root for the team while it plays, or that comes out during a half-time show, there are many different types of mascots. Sometimes just one person can be a team’s good luck charm, sometimes it is the presence of a particular object (like a lucky rabbit’s foot). But any figure which is thought to bring an organization good luck can be called a mascot.

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.

Mascots need to be sensitive to the culture that they live in. While sports teams like the Chiefs, the Indians and the Redskins were created at a time when many North Americans perceived the Native American as being primitive and violent, these teams have had to make changes to their good luck charm due to changes in perception of the Native American people. Even restaurants have had to change their figures which continued to perpetuate the image of the lazy Mexican.

Some are linked to special events. For every Olympic Games a new figure is created which represents the country in which the games are held. The 2010 Olympic Games had four mythical characters, named Quatchi, Miga, MukMuk and Sumi, who were the mascots of the Games. These characters not only generated income to support the Games, but also generated good will and made many children and adults happy. The figures for the Olympics have at times met with controversy, just look at the discussions heating up over the figures Wenlock and Mandeville for the 2012 Olympics in Britain.

Some political groups rally behind a mascot. You can rally behind the Elephant, Donkey, Camel or Owl (representing any of four different political parties in the United States).

A mascot’s life is not eternal, not always anyway. Gone are the days when you could watch the Hamburgler and Grimace try to make off with Ronald’s fries and shakes. The California Raisins are gone, as are Frito Bandito and the bathroom tissue squeezing Mr. Whipple.

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.

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!

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