Yuru-chara: Mascot in Marketing
If you're not familiar with the term "yuru-chara," it's a Japanese word that translates to "relaxed character." The characters are usually cute, cuddly, and colorful. They can be used to promote brands, products, or services in many different ways: as billboards, as spokespeople for commercials, on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram.
The use of yuru-chara has become popular in Japan and other countries because they are more relatable than other forms of advertising. They're also more memorable because they're fun! Studies show that people remember mascots better than other forms of advertising because they evoke positive emotions such as warmth and familiarity: two things that are crucial for marketing campaigns.
The First Yuru-Chara
The Japanese culture is well known for its unique style and character. It is also famous for its mascots that are used in various forms of media such as anime and manga. These mascots are usually cute animals or characters that are used to represent a company or event. They were first introduced during the Tokyo Olympics in 1964. The idea behind using these mascots was to create a fun atmosphere during the Olympic Games so that people could enjoy themselves more than they would have otherwise. However, this practice became so popular that it started being used by many companies all over Japan and eventually spread outside of Japan as well.
One reason why mascots are so popular is because they help attract attention from children who are likely to get excited about what they see on television or read in books at school. This makes it easier for them to remember certain products which will hopefully lead them into buying those products when they grow up into adulthood. Another reason why mascots are so popular among businesses is because they can be used as an effective tool for marketing campaigns where there may not be enough time or money available for producing high quality advertisements such as TV commercials
Mascot at Large
A mascot is a character or symbol used to represent a brand, organization, or event, and is designed to bring attention and generate a positive emotional connection with its target audience. Mascots can be a person in a costume, an animal, or an inanimate object, and are typically used for advertising, marketing, and promotion purposes. Mascots are often used in sports and entertainment events, as well as in schools and universities, to create a fun and engaging atmosphere and to promote their spirit.
How Does It Work?
In recent years, they've become more popular in other countries as well—and now they're being used to promote brands and products.
How does this work? Let's take a look:
1) A brand creates its own yuru-charas that embody its brand values.
2) The brand uses these yuru-chara to market its products and services in different ways (for example, on social media).
3) The public interacts with the yuru-charas and becomes familiar with them. This helps develop familiarity with the brand itself, which can lead to increased sales of its products or services over time.
Benefits of Having a Mascot
If you're looking to create a Yuru-chara for your marketing campaign, you'll need to consider the character's design, and personality.
First off, let's talk about design. When it comes to Yuru-chara, there are two main types: "yuruchara", which are more realistic depictions of people; and "yurumate", which are more cartoonish or exaggerated.
When creating your character, it's important not to shy away from showing some personality. Yurucharas can be cute, but they also need to have some edge or attitude that reflects the brand they represent. You can do this by giving them interesting features like quirky hair color or an eccentric outfit. Other benefits are highlighted below:
Increased brand recognition: Yuru-chara mascots can help increase brand recognition and recall, making it easier for customers to remember your company or product.
Increased engagement: Yuru-chara mascots are often designed to be cute and appealing, which can increase customer engagement and make them more likely to interact with your brand.
Unique marketing approach: Yuru-chara mascots offer a unique and creative approach to marketing, which can help your company stand out from the competition.
Cross-promotional opportunities: Yuru-chara mascots can be used in a variety of marketing materials, including advertisements, events, and merchandise, providing multiple cross-promotional opportunities.
Long-term marketing impact: Yuru-chara mascots have the potential to become cultural icons, providing a long-term marketing impact for your company.
Emphasize the potential of Yuru-chara mascots to bring personality and character to your brand, and to engage customers in a unique and memorable way!
19 Greatest Mascots in Advertising Campaigns
Can you guess the brands they represent?