BATTLE OF THE BRAND MASCOTS: ROUND 2: MODERN MASCOTS

It's time for Round Two of Battle of the Brand Mascots! For round two, great modern mascots will face off for winner of the Battle of the Brand Mascots.

Our Contenders:

Flo of Progressive

vs.

Mayhem of Allstate

 VS.

Flo found on Google Images                                                                                                                                 Mayhem found on Google Images

Stats:

Flo

Who is She: Flo is the ever high spirited and energetic

brand mascot and face of Progressive. She is always seen

in her white progressive apron helping people save by

using Progressive.

Special Abilities: Great people skills, upbeat personality, trustworthy.

Weaknesses: Perhaps too upbeat

Product: Progressive Insurance

Creator: John Park and Steve Reepmeyer of ad agency Arnold Worldwide

Commercials: In her commercials Flo is always helping people save by using progressive. She gives them the insurance they need and helps give the people the power to chose which insurance they should get. The commercials are normally laced with light comedy, and happy endings for people looking for insurance. 

   

Image found on Google Images

Mayhem                                                    

Who is He: Mayhem is one of the spokesman

for Allstate. He is a rugged personality that    

portrays Mayhem, any mayhem you may       

face on the road. Always dressed in his          

formal attire and a bandage on a cut on his     

eye he is ready at all times to spread some      

mayhem.                                                    

Special Abilities: Causes mayhem for driver's,

   ability to become a drivers worst nightmare,   

always ready for a black tie event.                  

Weaknesses: Allstate Insurance                      

Product: Allstate Insurance                           

Creator: Ad Agency Leo Burnett                

Commercials: The Mayhem Commercials are

humorous commercials that focus around       

Mayhem causing problems for drivers. They  

take the form of many different scenarios       

such as a deer in the road or a teenage girl      

who just got broken up with and is texting      

while in a parking lot. Each commercial's       

focus is on one key aspect, if you get Allstate 

you will not have to worry about dealing with

Mayhem.                                                    

Images above found on Google Images

What Makes Them Good Brand Mascots:

I find these Brand Mascots to be amazing brand mascots for a few reasons. They both accomplish giving a face to their brand, but not just that they give a tangible being to an intangible product. Both are insurance companies mascots which is an intangible product, you can't necessarily hold on to see

insurance, yet you see Mayhem and Flo and think insurance. They increase brand awareness. Most people know who they are and which company they are associated.

Flo personifies not only Progressive insurance, but gives a face to a product you get online. You do not deal with people face to face when you get Progressive, it is internet based yet you see Flo as a sales rep for them and trust her through her personality, positivity, and honesty. 

Flo's quirky personality has won the hearts and trust of many consumers and in turn has been a great mascot for Progressive. The comedy that the creative team comes up with is attention getting, yet does not pull your attention from the fact that it is a Progressive commercial. Not only that but Flo's great facial expressions always earn a chuckle.

Mayhem also personifies something else beside just insurance and that is issues that you may face on the road or which may affect your car. The scenario's written for the commercials are funny and

entertaining. The scenarios are also a little frightening at times if you think about them with out the humor added. Which I believe is a goal of the commercials; to frighten the audience into getting Allstate rather than not being covered if a freak accident happens. 

The character of Mayhem is well portrayed and developed well to fit, well, mayhem. The dry delivery and sly smile of Mayhem add even more humor to the scenarios. Again, like Flo, Mayhem does not distract from Allstate but rather ingrains the name Allstate in your mind especially when coupled with that distinct voice at the end of each commercial.

My Decision: Mayhem

After looking at each Brand Mascot I would have to say Mayhem, would be my choice. Both are designed well and work the way they were intended for their brands. Coupled with their ad stories, however, I think Mayhem wins by a nose.

Image and previous images above found on Google Images

Thoughts? I would like to hear them.