Furry Friends will Still Dominate

Capitol One, the credit card company, is planning to settle the issue once and for all. The winner of its mascot contest (http://www.capitalonebowl.com/) will be announced on New Year's Day. Sadly, the inflate-a-Rockie didn't make the cut. But one thing is for sure, furry mascots are given as the "unsung heroes" of the mascot world--not those hot air balloons.

The field was narrowed to twelve for this contest. Check here for the latest scoop on this contest. http://www.creditcards.com/fur-flies-in-competition-for-capital-one-national-mascot-of-the-year.php

Maybe Rockie can get some pointers from these guys. Notice that Lil' Red or Herbie Husker aren't in the line up. I wonder what a Testudo is?!

What's next?

So, what do we do with this information? Now that we know that these inflatables are THE mascots of the 21st century, should we just accept inflatable Rocky and his sidekick stock-race-car driver Rockio Rockdretti? Or should we push for more?Here's my current idea: How about we design a new sidekick for one of those mascots? You know, something in keeping with the war/power/destruct symbolism of the rocket.
Here's some ideas.

• Firestorm: I see an inflatable ball-of fire, gnashing teeth, furrowed brow. This occurs after a nuclear detonation--a side-effect of a nuclear blast, which generates strong inrushing winds from all sides, which spread fires and add fresh oxygen to intensify them. We could bring him out after every touchdown to celebrate annihilation.
• Cruise: A small inflatable Rocket...Rocky's little brother...kind of like Barbie has Skipper tagging along. While most of Toledo wouldn't likely be too keen on the name, once they see this little rascal dance, they would declare him our Top Gun!

Cute names aside, we could design a sidekick using an offical missle name like Hawk, Hellfire, Minutemnan, MIG, Patriot, Pershing, FalconGenie, Quali, Poseidon, Stinger.

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know about Inflatable Mascots **

I'll bet all your readers out there are wondering just how inflatable mascots really work...wonder no more! At right is a diagram from the the WalkAround.com mascot site. It appears that they operate on the same principle as that now ubiquitous symbol of American consumption--the inflatable lawn ornament/decoration. The wearer carries a blower which inflates the costume.

They're Bipartisan

After reading comments about the inflatable invasion in the CNNSI article mentioned in the previous post, I started into some research and found the pitch-site of a manufacturer/distributor of "Walk-around" inflatable mascot wear. The website entices those who use "fuzzy" costumes with the promise that their costume
attracts more attention •is more comfortable to wear • lasts longer • stays cleaner • is more distinctive • is more entertaining • stays cooler • performs bigger • stores smaller • enables to wearer to do tricks • doesn't stink. As this photo demonstrates, it also brings warring politcial factions together in laughter. The former Pres. George Herbert Walker Bush and the William Jefferson Clinton embrace the New Orleans something or other's mascot, who smartly donned red and blue to hide his party allegiance, or gang membership, or both.

I'd bet that pirate's booty that this isn't the first time Clinton has been with a blow-up doll.

Do We Not Bleed?

Exploring the inflatable mascot phenom, I found a CNN/SI interview article in which Purdue Pete interviews Herbie the Husker and Lil' Red, the duo representing Nebraska.

Purdue Pete explains that other mascots he has spoken with are "... not too thrilled with the recent popularity of these inflatable mascots," and asks Lil' Red, " What do you have to say about this discriminatory attitude?" Red's reply: "It's an injustice. We're mascots, too. I think other mascots just don't understand us. And maybe they're a little intimidated by the tricks we can do."

Does this change our attitude toward "The Inflatable Rocky?" Can we see him as a "mascot, too?"If we cut him, will he not deflate?

Lil' Red's Brethren

This Lil' Red reminds me of Lard Lad, the character from The Simpon's Treehouse of Horror VI, "Attack of the 50-foot Eyesores," and Big Boy, the Frisch's mascot. Consider the common characteristics: portly, cherubic cheeks, overalls/suspenders....

Lil' Red

Blow up mascots appear to be an inexpensive alternative to those very hot plush costumes. I guess Rocky the spaceman should be happy he doesn't have to wear one, but don't you think he looks like a formula 1 race car driver more than a spaceman?