Ever since the Quaker Oats Man made his first appearance in 1877, mascots have been branding products and businesses of all types. Mascots are one of the most classic forms of branding and remain relevant today, promoting products and slinging slogans with continual fervor. But why do so many different organizations choose mascots as the center of their brand strategies? It’s all about recognition and sociability- making them the perfect ambassadors for your college or university.
Living away from home for the first time while attempting to sort out a career path often leaves new students feeling lost. When alumni recall their college mascots, however, they’re likely to say, “We were the…” rather than, “Our mascot was…” It’s mascot psychology; on some level, they identify with the mascot. They feel like part of its community because it’s the one thing they shared with every other student. This is the main benefit of college mascots – they create that sense of belonging students crave, and it makes them feel at home.
Want to start building community around your college or university? Here are some things to consider while putting together your very own mascot.
Your mascot can personify your school without saying a word. Students will rally around him/her and relish photo-ops as a sign of school pride, so appearances at campus sporting and social events are important. Other opportunities to foster community around your mascot include:
College mascots create lifetime, loyal supporters for your school, a unique and important ROI that can’t quite be replicated by any other branding technique. Interested in an Olympus mascot for your college or university?
Balancing Mascot Design and Functionality
If you want your mascot to be active and to perform at its best, you will need to balance your design with the functionality of the costume. Consider the following design tips to maximize your costume’s performance.
Once you have a mascot costume, it’s time to choose a mascot performer. Your costume can provide some limitations with whom you can choose as your mascot performer, so it is important to be aware of them.
Why College Mascots Improve the Experience
When alumni recall their collegiate mascots, they’re likely to say, “We were the…” rather than, “Our mascot was…” It’s mascot psychology- they identify with their college mascot. Learn more about how a college mascot improves the experience!
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