When CTV reported on Vancouver’s search for the 2010 Olympic Games mascot, I didn’t think too much of it, to be honest. I mean really, how important could some cartoon character be? As the CTV article states:
The mascot will appear in advertisements for the Games, official publications and websites, and will provide souvenir-minded Olympic fans with stuffed toys and other trinkets to take home as proof they were there.
“They will be animated, they will be at the events, they will be part of the light and humorous side of the Games,” said Renee Smith-Valade, spokeswoman for the Vancouver Olympic Committee. “They’re usually very appealing to children and they will be ambassadors for the Games.”
Cut to this week…I was in the car when it happened - breaking news on the unveiling of the 2010 Olympic Games mascot.
The result…not one, but three cartoon characters which upon later discovery, reminded me of some overly happy Nintendo character/Monchichi cross. Or if you’re Perez Fox, maybe Chilly Willy the Penguin.
Now don’t get me wrong, I’m a big believer in the power of creating hype and word-of-mouth marketing/social networking. I’m also a fan of kids and the power the impact they can have on adults and consumer spending. But are Quatchi, Miga and Sumi the trifecta to get this done?
Kids and fun stuff aside, I have a question. Is it expected that people from BC (read: adults) will/want to associate the Vancouver 2010 Olympics with a sea bear, sasquatch, and thunderbird? Honestly!
According to Vancouver 2010:
[Quatchi, Miga and Sumi] are the three critters who will meet and greet athletes, visitors, and fans in Vancouver and Whistler for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. Each of the creatures is distinct and special – both in personality and in appearance. One is big, gentle and shy . . . one is small, mischievous and outgoing . . . and one is a natural-born leader with a passion for protecting the environment.
I’m not against them, nor am I for them. To be honest, I’m indifferent. What I do know, though, is that customers like to be ’served’ with something they understand and can relate to. In this particular circumstance, do these three critters relate/connote Vancouver and the 2010 Olympic games to you? If you don’t know, try stepping back and determining if any of the Olympic mascots of the past have - I think we had it down in ‘76 (thanks to Rebecca for the link). Pretty mixed bag, I think. Ryan over at metroblogging vancouver, on the other hand, has a good point - ‘it could be worse’.
Regardless of where you sit on the whole issue, Quatchi, Miga and Sumi will be running, flying, swimming (or doing where bear/orca crosses do) in just over two years time. When the smoke clears, the Vancouver 2010 Olympics will be a great time to be here in the city, with or without the Monchichis.
darren
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