1) A Good Mascot Costume
Several factors contribute to making a costume “good”. First, it must have a visual appeal for its primary audience. Generally speaking, this means it be cute and cuddly, and bear an obvious relation to the organization that owns it. Second, it must be constructed of sturdy, durable materials that will stand up well to wear and tear. Finally, it must be highly functional in a wide variety of performing environments. This means it must be well ventilated, allow for a good range of vision and permit unencumbered body movements.

2) A Good Performer
A “good” mascot performer is defined by three characteristics. First he/she must have a suitable personality. Street Characters’ experience has found that mild introverts with a dry sense of humor make the best performers, not extroverts. This is because the anonymity of the costume allows an introvert to do things he would otherwise shy away from. Extroverts, meanwhile, have difficulty suppressing their own personality in favor of the mascots. The performer must get along well with people of all ages, but be especially good with children. Accordingly, he or she must be gentle and patient in manner.

Second, the performer’s act must endear the mascot to fans by providing them with a lasting positive impression. This requires the performer to develop routines that leave the fans wanting more.

The last characteristic is the performer’s physical suitability for the role. This entails having the correct stature to wear the costume and being in good physical condition.

3) A Committed Organization
The final ingredient of a successful mascot program is the commitment of the organization managing the program. By commitment, we mean the willingness to provide the program with all the moral and material support it needs to run effectively.

In terms of moral support, an organization needs to regard the program as an integral part of its overall marketing, public relations and entertainment package. To that end it must seriously consider the promotional ideas and managerial concerns of the mascot program’s staff. As for material support, it is essential that the organization give the mascot program sufficient financial, logistic and administrative resources to do the job well.

Conclusion
So there you have it: the three keys to a successful mascot program. Remember them, and your mascot will soon become a fan favorite.