In an increasingly competitive market in 2023, brands are looking for ways to stand out and connect with customers on an emotional level. A brand mascot is your ultimate tool for representing your company and and expressing your brand values. It’s a fun and unique way to build a relationship with customers, increase engagement and drive sales. In this post, we’ll explore how to use brand mascots to achieve these goals, using both traditional and more modern marketing techniques.
Integrating your Mascot into Marketing and Sales Efforts - TRADITIONAL TECHNIQUES
Once you’ve created a brand mascot, the next step is to integrate it into your marketing and sales efforts. Traditional marketing techniques, still powerful tools, use mascots in a variety of ways, including:
ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS (eg. PepsiCo's Pepsi Max: PepsiMax utilized its brand mascot, the "Pepsi Penguin" in a series of print, TV, and digital advertising campaigns. The penguin was used to showcase the product's light and refreshing taste and was a hit with audiences.)
SOCIAL MEDIA POSTS (eg. Burger King posted a photo of The Burger King holding a Whopper burger with the caption "Feast like royalty. #WhopperWednesday" - using their mascot with humor and witty captions to engage with followers on Instagram, showcasing menu items and special promotions)
WEBSITE DESIGN (eg. Amazon's Amazon Smile: Amazon Smile features a happy and playful brand mascot, the "Smile" logo. The logo is integrated into Amazon's website design, making it easy for customers to find products that benefit their favorite charities.)
PRODUCT PACKAGING (eg. Coca-Cola's Coca-Cola Polar Bear: Coca-Cola has been using its polar bear brand mascot for over 25 years, and it has become synonymous with the company's soft drink brand. The polar bear appears on the product packaging and is a recognizable symbol of the brand.)
IN-STORE DISPLAYS (eg. McDonald's Ronald McDonald: Ronald McDonald is one of the world's most recognizable brand mascots. McDonald's has used the clown as the face of its chain for over 50 years, and he is often featured in in-store displays, promotions, and advertising campaigns.)
MARKETING EVENTS (eg. Red Bull's Red Bull Wings: Red Bull's brand mascot, the "Red Bull Wings", is often used at marketing events and product launches. The wings are a visual representation of the brand's energetic and adventurous personality, and they are an eye-catching addition to any event.)
Techniques for 2023 - 10 modern marketing techniques
Traditional marketing techniques are still effective tools, though recently the marketing landscape has changed, and alongside traditional marketing techniques brands have begun to employ modern technology to create more personalized and hands-on customer experiences:
INTERACTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGNS: Companies can create interactive social media campaigns featuring their brand mascot character to engage with customers. For example, they can run quizzes or polls related to their brand mascot or ask customers to share their thoughts and opinions.
INFLUENCER MARKETING: Companies can collaborate with social media influencers to promote their brand mascot and products. For example, they can partner with an influencer to create a fun video featuring their brand mascot.
VIRTUAL REALITY: Companies can use virtual reality to bring their brand mascot to life for customers. For example, they can create a virtual tour of their store or a virtual product demo featuring their brand mascot.
LIVE STREAMS: Companies can use live streams to showcase their brand mascot and products. For example, they can host a live stream event featuring their brand mascot, product demonstrations, and customer Q&A.
GAMIFICATION: Companies can use gamification to engage customers with their brand mascot. For example, they can create a mobile game featuring their brand mascot or a scavenger hunt with clues related to their brand mascot.
AUGMENTED REALITY: Companies can use augmented reality to bring their brand mascot to life for customers. For example, they can create an augmented reality experience that allows customers to interact with their brand mascot in real-time.
PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCES: Companies can use their brand mascot to create personalized experiences for customers. For example, they can offer virtual tours of their store or personalized product recommendations featuring their brand mascot.
CUSTOMER SERVICE: Companies can use their brand mascot to provide customer service. For example, they can use chatbots featuring their brand mascot to answer customer questions or provide support.
CONTENT MARKETING: Companies can use their brand mascot to create content that engages and informs customers. For example, they can create a blog or video series featuring their brand mascot or create an e-book that explores the history and personality of their brand mascot.
POP-UP SHOPS: Companies can use their brand mascot to create pop-up shops that bring their brand to life for customers. For example, they can create a pop-up shop that features their brand mascot, product demonstrations, and interactive experiences.
When customers have a positive emotional connection with your brand, they’re more likely to make a purchase. This can be especially true if you use your brand mascot with both traditional and more recent marketing techniques, as customers are more likely to be drawn to products that feature a fun and memorable character.
Get in touch with us to create your brand mascot and get ahead of the competition!