What a crazy year it's been so far!

Wow, can it get much busier? I don't know.

Last year we brought on four new people to help us build costumes, design characters, and wear mascots for local teams.

This summer we trained nearly 50 people in the fine art of mascotdom.

Recycled costumes are becoming more popular.

Tomorrow I'm bringing Casey Bear to my son's Pre-K class, it's "B" week!

Oh, and if you haven't seen them yet, here are some video highlights from our 2010 mascot camps!

Yes, they DID silly string Sergeant Slaughter!

Yes, they DID Twist with the Phillie Phanatic!

Yes, they DID dance to Japanese Hip Hop at San Jose Giants' Japanese Heritage Day!

Yes, they DID take down York's mascot in a tug-of-war!

Yes, he DID hold his own with the Phillie Phanatic in a dance contest!



Seeing the work that the campers and trainers put into the time we spent really makes me feel proud that I'm at a point in my life where I can enjoy what I do, enjoy my family, and look to more days on the bench cheering these mascots on, and less in suit. But not totally out of suit!

It's midnight.... do you know where your Mascot is?

Most likely your mascot is on a social network coming up with some new ideas for skits!

I love checking in with my mascot buddies on Facebook. While mascot.net's Bulletin Board System is sloooooooowing down, Facebook is able to get me back in touch with people from 15-20 years ago who roamed the sidelines with me, and helped create some great myths and legends for our schools.

So if you see me on Facebook, I might be just looking around, with my fingers busily sewing something, or letting one of the kiddos check out a funny video clip. But definitely keep in touch! If you don't we'll send the Titan after you.

Show the love.... bring in the fans!

You know, it's always more fun when the fans get involved. And fans don't necessarily mean "innocent bystander" fan. I love this video because Eddie looks so real, although I'll bet this was a scripted, rehearsed stunt.

Don't be afraid to bring fans into your fun. As a mascot, don't be afraid to be "showed up". BIG kudos to G-Man, who let his superhero powers be overshadowed this night.

Enjoy, and share the excitement!

Timberwolves Respond to Miami’s Harlem Shake Video

You can buy wolf mascot costumes from the link below:

http://www.mascotzentai.com/discount-wolf-mascot-costume_c44

Orlando Magic’s STUFF and Captain Fear Go Gangnam Style!

Get down Florida, go ahead get down! We love these, a lot. In case you missed it, here’s the Oregon Duck getting down to Psy.

Captain Fear and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Orlando Magic’s STUFF:

Buy Duck Mascot Costumes Online Shop:

http://www.mascotbuys.com/animal-series-duck-mascot-costume-c-114_122.html

Kegasus. That’s it. That’s the title of the post.

The Preakness' Kegasus

Move over Dartmouth, there’s a new Keg in town.

The Sports Business Exchange posted a blog earlier today that the Preakness has choosen a new mascot costume for their InfieldFest festivities, Kegasus. We assume that the new mascot is promoting sobriety, of course…

TMB always promotes a high level of saftey for everyone at sporting events otherwise there’s a high level of inappropriate acts performed against the mascot. We’re not sure we support this decision.

Bucky Parody Video Gets Violent

Two brothers were arrested last Friday after attacking a Madison, Wisconsin man at a party. Apparently they were unpleased with their level of compensation for the video “Teach Me How To Bucky,” which they produced. Here’s a excerpt from the police report:

 “A 19-year old Madison man was knocked unconscious early Friday morning and taken to a local hospital with a broken nose, a broken orbital bone, and cut to his eye requiring multiple stitches following a fight on Langdon Street. The victim and a 22-year old friend were battered outside of a residence following a dispute with the suspects listed above. One, Mr. Andrew Schecher, had evidently helped the 22-year old victim film the popular dance video: “Teach me how to Bucky” and has not been happy about his level of compensation for his efforts. He says he and his twin brother, the other suspect, had gone to Langdon Street in order to speak with the 22-year old regarding the financial disagreement when a fight broke out.”

If you didn’t catch the video back in Ocotober when it was released, now’s your chance:

On a side note, here’s a really good clip of Bucky really getting down to the song:

From:http://themascotblog.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/bucky-parody-video-gets-violent/

Written By: http://www.mascotzentai.com/blog/

Clutch Smashes Cake on Lakers Fan

Check out the expression of the man on the right and the woman in the back.

bear mascot costumes

Talon & Twinkle Gallery

"Twinkle was the android radio presenter Mascot for 106.6 Star FM in the Windsor, Slough, Maidenhead area of Berkshire, UK. As well as making appearances at special events and promotions, she also presented the overnight show. The character was so successful that her "sister", Talon, was built to be the mascot of new radio sation, 96.4 The Eagle which served Guildford and the surrounding area of Surrey and North East Hampshire in the UK. Talon presented the overnight show and a Saturday afternoon show - which achieved the highest audience share on the radio station. Talon's "voice chip" was provided by Dallas radio presenter, Pam Steele. Both Talon and Twinkle are featured in this set. Twinkle and Talon"minders" were often also Talon models themselves."

SUNY Mascot Madness – Championship

Welcome to the First Annual GenerationSUNY Mascot Madness – the Championship! This is a competition where YOU can decide who is the BEST SUNY mascot. We are excited to announce that this year’s contest includes 30 SUNY campuses representing 472 athletic teams and over 220,000 students!

Over our 64 campuses, SUNY has 80 NCAA Division I, 290 NCAA Division III, and 385 NJCAA athletics teams, not to mention teams in other athletics associations and club teams! Our mascots work so hard cheering on every SUNY student athlete – why not cheer them on?

We’ve interviewed each competing mascot to learn a little more about them… Where they are from, what their favorite school event is, even what their favorite foods are. You’ll learn what it is that make these dedicated supporters of SUNY athletic teams, students and alumni tick.

Finals:

It’s the Championship Game!

This is it.  In 28 games over 4 rounds, the SUNY mascots have racked up over 278,000 votes! Of that, Hugo the Hawk from New Paltz and Wolfie the Seawolf of Stony Brook took in a combined 44,000 votes.

 

Over the last month, we have grown to know and cheer for these mascots as much as you do.  We are so excited to see how this match-up unfolds in the coming week.

What more can we say that hasn’t been said about these dynamic characters already? We have learned that both of them are friendly with other mascots, love meeting new people and are highly competitive.  But who has what it takes to become the winner? Only you can decide that.

We know how hard it is getting to pick one winner – but, we remind everyone that since we’re down to the final two, these mascots are great characters with unique personalities and fan support that continue to entertain and inspire us event after event. Help us pick the winner.

The finals begin today and end Thursday, April 4 at 12:00pm. The votes will then be counted and verified and the winner will be announced after the final tally is complete.

Good luck to the remaining competitors. May the most creative/fun/energetic/crowd-energizing mascot win.

Written By: Mascotzentai.com

Rays apologize after mascot wields 'inappropriate' Steve Irwin sign

So here's what "Raymond," the Rays' official mascot, did to put his employers squarely in damage-control mode (image courtesy of Lloyd Johnson) ...

Shots fired! You'll recall, of course, that Steve Irwin -- better known by his nom de insanity, "The Crocodile Hunter" -- met his untimely demise in 2006 after being gored in the chest by a stingray. Therein lies the joke and the fallout.

As the Tampa Tribune notes, the sign was not Raymond's; rather a fan handed it to him, and Raymond subsequently brandished it for a photo op. So at worst, consider the world's furriest ray to be merely an accessory to poor taste.

As for the team, here's the official statement:

"Rays mascot Raymond was handed an inappropriate sign brought to the game by a fan. Fans are welcome to bring signs into Tropicana Field provided they are not offensive.

"The Tampa Bay Rays regret that this particular sign was displayed in the ballpark, and we apologize for the lapse in judgment."

No word on whether Raymond will be handed over to Randall Simon for corporal punishment.

Y3 Week 31: Brave

 

"There are those who say fate is something beyond our command. That our destiny is not our own, but I know better. Our fate lives within us. You only have to be brave enough to see it."

-Merida in Brave

 

How to run a mascot program

So you’ve been handed the mascot program and you aren’t exactly sure what to do. You’re now responsible for keeping the costume clean, staffing the costume, and scheduling appearances. Here is some basic advice:

1. Learn how to take care of the costume: Read our entry on “how to clean a mascot costume“. If this doesn’t answer your questions, feel free to contact us for specific cleaning advice. It is a good idea to designate an area for the costume to be hung to air out after use. Make sure that anyone you give the costume to knows how to properly clean a costume. A fur costume can easily be destroyed if someone puts it in a dryer.
2. Find a mascot performer: Review our “finding a mascot performer” entry. If you cannot find a consistent performer, you or other staff members may have to wear the costume. Make sure anyone who gets in the costume reads our “basic character development” entry. The less experienced performer you have the more attention you have to pay to them. Make sure they are comfortable in the costume, know to hydrate properly, and take proper breaks. We recommend 20-30 minutes on, 20 minutes off for outdoors, and 30-45 minutes on indoors with 20-30 minutes off for inexperienced performers. Heat sickness is a real concern for someone who does not yet know their limits. More experienced performers already know their comfort level.
3. Provide a mascot escort: Make sure your mascot always has an escort to assist them. This person is the mascot’s eyes and ears, seeing things the performer cannot (small children below eye level, steps, etc.) and assure their safety in case of unruly fans or other emergencies. This person should have a radio or some means to get in touch with you in case of an emergency. An escort also helps the mascot manage his/her props, preps contestants, and distributes giveaway items.
4. Set a schedule of fees: Establish the rate for your mascot at different types of events
   • Non profit
   • Sponsor events
   • Non sponsors
   • Private appearances (birthdays, deliveries, parades)
   • Community events (walk a thons, school/church festivals)
5. Create an appearance request form: The form should ask for
   • Event Name, date, time requested
   • Name of organization, type of organization (business, non-profit, private party)
   • Name of person making request (phone #, e-mail)
   • Name of on site contact (phone #, e-mail)
   • Address of event
   • Description of event
   • Expectations of mascot at event
6. Create an appearance confirmation form: This is the form you send out once the appearance is scheduled. It confirms the information provided on the request form, sets the appearance time and expectations, and informs the client:
   • If parking is an issue, please designate an assigned spot for the performer, preferably close to the event, as he/she will have a large bag to carry
   • You must provide a private place to for the performer to change.BATHROOMS ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE since the performer may have to place parts of the costume on the floor while getting dressed and bathrooms are unsanitary.
   • If the crowd becomes unruly, or the performer fears for their safety, the appearance may be cancelled without refund.
   • Advertise the appearance as “between the hours of” to avoid disappointing people if the mascot has to take a break.
7. Maintain a master calendar:  Use Outlook, Google, Yahoo, or other calendar programs to keep a master schedule online. Allow your performers access to the schedule so they can manage their appearances. Send out a weekly e-mail reminder/schedule of events to keep your performers in the know and avoid missed appearances.
8. Create a payroll spreadsheet: Keep accurate records of appearances and hours to make sure your performers get paid properly. Advise your performers to keep track of their hours in case of an error.
9. Create a mascot program budget: Calculate expenses for the program. Items to consider
   • Payroll for appearances and escorts
   • Costume maintenance (cleaning, supplies)
   • New/replacement costume pieces
   • Mascot promotional items (t-shirts, tattoos, autograph cards)
   • Props
   • Mileage/travel expenses
   • Training for performers
10. Develop merchandise: Generate revenue with your mascot through sales of items such as dolls, t-shirts, hats, bobble heads, and more.
11. Develop community outreach programs: Decide how you want to impact your local community. Create programs to be performed at schools that encourage students to read, get active, recycle and more. Other popular school shows are anti-bullying and test taking techniques. Many programs rewards students with ticket vouchers to attend a game.
12. Work with sponsorship: Generate revenue through the sale of mascot related sponsorship  School programs, promotional items, and even an overall mascot sponsorship can bring in money for your organization. Read our “how to generate revenue with your mascot program” entry.
13. Work with marketing: Use the mascot to get your marketing messages out. Social media, publicity stunts, community events, charitable visits, all are ways to promote your character and brand.

A mascot program entertainment, community outreach, marketing, and sales combined. A successful program depends on a lot of people, but mostly on its administrator. If you ever need additional advice, feel free to contact us atamazing-mascots.com

Stay Fuzzy my friends!~ Kelly Frank, President/Owner AMAZING!! Mascots, Inc.

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