Meerkats

Logos brought to life through animation, or puppets enlisted for a particular advertising campaign; brand mascots are a special breed of identity device. Here is a list of memorable ones; did we miss any of your favourites?

Digital 3D Animation

The flexibility of 3D modelling and animation has led to its widespread use for advertising campaigns. The popular Meerkats of Meerkova have gone on to spawn collectable toys, and apparently Fox's Vinnie the Panda has more fans on Facebook than Wayne Rooney!

Vinnie the Panda

Digital UK

Duracell Bunny

Direct Line

Churchill Insurance

 

Traditional 2D Cell Style Animation

This year sees the return of the Tetley Tea Folk after a decade away from our screens. The traditional style animation will surely please fans, as Tetley Tea fights to catch up with the popularity of PG Tips.

Cara, Confused.com's figurehead, is another example of 2D animation. This choice of style helps set Confused.com apart in an overcrowded marketplace.

Tetley Tea Folk

Confused.com

Green Giant

Felix Cat Food

Chester Cheetos

 

Puppets & Soft Toys

Puppets offer a quirky, touchy-feely element to advertising campaigns. Both Flat Eric and Monkey are notable; built by Jim Henson's Creature Shop, they each went on to star in multiple advertising campaigns for various products.

Flat Eric

Monkey

C'mons

Birds Eye Polar Bear

Old Speckled Hen Fox

 

Classic Logos Brought To Life

Some logos cry out to be brought to life through animation, and whilst the the current manifestation of Bibendum (AKA the Michelin Man) might not have the same classic appeal, the enduring, friendly nature of these characters ensures their longevity.

Bibendum The Michelin Man

The Laughing Cow

Bic Logo

MGM Logo

Haribo

 

Live Action

Live action campaigns have the power to become incredibly popular, despite having the potential to cause intense irritation! Customer services rep Howard Brown went on to become the face of Halifax and reached pop-star-like status. Sadly, the banking crisis wiped the smile off Howard's cheery face, and the campaign is no longer deemed suitable.

Howard Brown Halifax Mascot

Go Compare

Admiral Car Insurance Mascot

Burger King Mascot

Oxo Family

 

Stop Motion

Wallace & Gromit, possibly inspired by their Aardman colleagues from the Creature Comfort ads, have gone on to star in a recent nPower campaign. As an animation technique, stop motion is less common now due to the popularity of digital 3D modelling, but some brands are still using it to great effect.

Wallace & Gromit npower Mascots

Cadbury's Creme Egg

Cravendale Mascots

Peperami Animal Mascot

Lurpak Douglas

 

Breakfast Cereals

For children's breakfast cereals, mascots are a must, and there are numerous enduring examples in this sub-genre. Hopefully the rumour that Jedward are to replace Coco Monkey as the Coco Pop's mascot will prove to be false!

Tony The Tiger

Sugar Puffs Mascot

Lucky Charms

Coco Pops Mascot

Rice Krispies

 

Sports

Mascots are often used to promote sporting events such as the FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games, as well as individual teams around the world. Wenlock and Mandeville, the London 2012 Olympic mascots, have caused a stir with their bold design style.

Wenlock and Mandeville

 Italia 90 Mascot

Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics

World Cup Willie

Chicago Bulls Logo

 

Where Are They Now?

Retired Mascots

For one reason or another, many mascots are eventually put out to pasture, or re-designed beyond recognition. If the character becomes misaligned with the values of the brand, or feels at odds with popular culture, they can do more harm than good. Take Ronald MacDonald; he did McDonald's proud for many years, but has no place within the revitilised identity.

Similarly, the chimps who played a huge part in the rise of PG Tips have been replaced by the current sock monkey, due to a shift in attitudes towards animal rights.

Ronald McDonald

Andrex Puppy

Fido Dido 7UP

PG Tips

Captain Birdseye

By creating an emotional connection with their audiences, successful mascots have the power to propel a brand to the heights of popularity.