Ranking of Well-Loved Brand Representatives Unearthed, Revealing Bizarre Outcomes
Brand Mascots: Still Tearing It Up in the Digital Age?
Ever pictured a brand mascot and instantly thought Tony the Tiger from Frosties? Well, you're not alone. But a study from Falcon Digital Marketing is shaking things up, suggesting that some lesser-known mascots are making a splash online.
It's hard to believe, but three cereal mascots—Snap, Crackle, and Pop from Rice Krispies—reportedly top the charts! Whether they've been captivating our billboards or breaking the internet, these mascots haven't graced our screens since the '90s ($#!+).
"Breakfast mascots like these have stamina for days because they're tied to daily rituals," says Monica Cabaniss, co-owner of Falcon Digital Marketing. "Their catchy slogans and quirky personas give Rice Krispies a playful vibe that appeals across generations."
Mickey Mouse, the world's most famous mouse, drops to second place. Disney's done an excellent job maintaining Mickey's relevance across almost a century, adapting him to modern times while preserving his core values.
Dissecting this data, though, raises a few eyebrows. Analyzing global search data for 35 well-known brand characters, Falcon Digital Marketing equated higher search volumes with increased interest. But let's face it—people probably aren't Googling Snap, Crackle, and Pop because they adore the characters, but rather to confirm if they still exist. Mickey Mouse, on the other hand, has ubiquitous presence, so no need to search.
Next on the list: Sonic the Hedgehog, a character at the heart of numerous Sonic controversies, followed by the cryptic Freddy from Mailchimp—I'm a fan of their branding, though. Colonel Sanders of KFC grabs the fifth spot, while Firefox’s Foxy struggles to grab my (or anyone's) attention.
At number seven, Ronald McDonald is a distant figure (I haven't spotted him in a while). Lastly, the Monopoly Man, Mr. Peanut, and Tony the Tiger round up the list.
"A mascot with the right X-factor can make a brand's marketing budget overflow," says Monica. "When people attach feelings to a character, they're not just remembering a logo—they're forging an emotional link that lasts generations. That's why companies splurge on creating and nurturing these fictional brand faces."
Could Snap, Crackle, and Pop really outshine Mickey Mouse in this digital arena? Time will tell. Until then, feel free to question the methodology.
Who's your favorite brand mascot? Let us know below.
Bonus Read: Learn more about creating memorable characters with our character design tips.
- When people think of brand mascots, often Tony the Tiger from Frosties comes to mind, but a study from Falcon Digital Marketing suggests that less popular mascots, like Snap, Crackle, and Pop from Rice Krispies, are making a significant impact online.
- Monica Cabaniss, co-owner of Falcon Digital Marketing, believes that the enduring popularity of breakfast mascots like Snap, Crackle, and Pop is due to their association with daily rituals and catchy slogans.
- Despite being the world's most famous mouse, Mickey Mouse falls to second place in this study, while Sonic the Hedgehog, Freddy from Mailchimp, Colonel Sanders of KFC, Firefox’s Foxy, Ronald McDonald, the Monopoly Man, and Tony the Tiger complete the rest of the top 10.
- Falcon Digital Marketing analyzed global search data for 35 well-known brand characters, equating higher search volumes with increased interest. However, it's worth considering that some high search volumes may be due to people confirming the existence of lesser-known mascots.
- In the digital age, mascots with the right "X-factor" can significantly boost a brand's marketing budget, as people form emotional connections with characters that extend beyond simple recognition of a logo.
- The art of character design plays a crucial role in creating memorable brand mascots, and learning more about this process can help companies make their fictional characters stand out.
- It's intriguing to consider if Snap, Crackle, and Pop will continue to top the charts, or if classic mascots like Mickey Mouse will regain their prominence in the digital landscape.
