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Is the Team the Mascot, or the Mascot the Team?

Mascots may be most closely associated with sporting teams and sporting events. They become synonymous with the team itself, and may become the embodiment for the attributes the sports team holds dear. This is especially true when an animal or a historic figure (person) for a locale is used to represent not only the team, but possibly the community. The use of mascots may convey the character, history, qualities, and ideas of not only the team, but where the team if from. Founders and historical figures from cities and towns may serve as mascots to indicate the history of the community and its roots.

Money Making Mascots

The use of mascots is not only for team usage, although that may be its most popular incarnation. Businesses, television stations and/or media venues, parades, and communities may all use mascots for several reasons. They are often leveraged as useful marketing tools to help promote a company, product, or event. This helps people to associate a symbol with an item or service that is being marketed to them. The mascot will assist in bringing the marketing campaign back to mind when the product or service will be needed by the consumer. Many tout mascots as being the best choice for placing funds for marketing. Experts say it will yield the best rate of return for the investment placed in a mascot. Use of mascots is especially useful when a company is new to the public at large. It will help to establish a name, reputation, and character synonymous with the company.

Mascots as Positive Personalities

Mascots may range from very generic symbols such as animals or historical people, to mascots that are unidentifiable anywhere else in the world. Teams and businesses can be as creative as they want with inventing a mascot. The mascot may represent the team colors, personal attributes a team or company prides itself on, or it can be a creation all of its own. Mascots may use actions or dances that make them unique in a physical way. Fans and customers may grow to love and expect the same qualities from the mascot. It important that the mascot be upbeat, positive, and charismatic to grab the attention of all ages and all types of people.

Mascots Suit Up

Typically, mascots have suits that are created for them. This can range in price from roughly $500.00 to as much as $25,000 depending upon the quality and who the designer happens to be. A team may not necessarily hold ownership rights over the suit. It may be important for a team or business to discuss this with the designer if copyright is of concern. Also, the construction and design of the suit is very important. A suit that is colorful and elicits attention from one's desired audience will work best. The suit should be properly ventilated ensuring that the person wearing the suit will be able to breathe easily and have a pleasant experience. It's very important to ensure that the suit is well constructed so it can withstand being worn for several events.

Mascot Mania

The use of mascots will help fans to become more involved in sporting events. It will be a crowd pleaser and will invoke excitement along with team pride. Businesses that decide they will benefit from the use of mascots will effectively market their services and easily become a household name. This will translate into dollars and higher profit margins for businesses. Not to mention a mascot can embody the mission or value statement of a company, ingraining this image on the minds of people everywhere. Mascots send a strong symbolic message to people who encounter them both for business and leisure.