Branding represents the personality of a business, making it memorable and distinguishable from others. It can shape the way we see and feel about a company or a product. Logos, specific color combinations, typography, and slogans are all part of branding. But branding is actually deeper than that. Branding is all about creating an emotional connection and influencing customer decisions. When done right, branding can turn a simple product into one everyone knows and loves.
Cartoon characters can take the art of branding to a whole new level. Adorable and charismatic animated figures can become key players in catching the audience’s attention and creating strong emotional connections.
What Cartoon Characters Can Do for Your Business?
- Draw attention and make your brand noticeable
- Make your brand memorable and recognizable
- Create a bond with your target audience and increase engagement
- Make your brand relatable and more approachable
- Help create engaging marketing campaigns
- Help create share-worthy content
The Appeal of Cartoon Characters
Cartoon characters have a natural charm that appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds. When we see a cartoon character, we can instantly connect with it on an emotional level. It is almost like meeting a friend.
What is it about cartoon characters that make them appealing to both kids and adults?
The universal appeal of cartoon characters lies in their ability to make us feel things. Cartoon characters evoke emotions, inspire creativity and create a sense of unity. Kids love cartoon characters because they are colorful and exciting. They are irresistible, fun and playful. All things needed to spark curiosity among children.
Cartoon characters charm adults because they often bring back wonderful memories. They bring feelings of comfort and familiarity, taking them back to simpler and carefree days.
A well-designed character can evoke laughter, empathy, and excitement. All those positive feelings contribute to creating an experience that brings everyone together.
Popular Brands that Use Animated Represenatives
Brands have been using cartoon characters as representatives for more than a century. One of the earliest examples is the Michelin Man, introduced in 1898 as the iconic mascot for the Michelin tire brand. As technology and media evolved using cartoon characters gained in popularity. Today, many popular brands have adapted to the use of cartoon characters in branding.
Here are few examples:
- Pillsbury Doughboy: mascot for Pillsbury's baking products.
- Coca-Cola Polar Bear: cartoon representative that has become synonymous with the brand's holiday campaigns.
- Tony the Tiger: mascot popular breakfast cereal.
How to Use Cartoon Characters for Marketing?
- Explainer videos featuring the cartoon character.
Explainer videos featuring cartoon characters are a dynamic and exciting way to communicate complex ideas and showcase products or services. An appealing character, together with a relatable story, can take the audience on a journey and deliver the brand-related information in an interesting and accessible way.
The video can be a product demonstration, an explainer about provided services, a step-by-step guide, and more.
With the help of an animated character, we can easily turn the technical information into entertainment.
- Social Media content: Animated GIFs, Short Videos, Infographics.
Cartoon characters can become the face of your brand on social media accounts. You can create a series of short videos with the characters. Some videos can showcase the product, but most of them should actually focus on being interesting and providing helpful tips.
You can share the videos on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and other platforms where short-form video content thrives.
It is possible to host a Live Q&A session. Let the audience talk to your character and ask him questions.
You can create stickers featuring the cartoon character and make them available on platforms like GIPHY for users to include in their posts and stories.
- Add the character to the emails you send to clients.
Integrating a character as part of the email you send to clients can add a personal touch and inject a sense of friendliness. You can also use the character to deliver special announcements, promotions or even personalized messages.
- Make the characters part of the website design.
You can use the cartoon character on different website areas. The cartoon can welcome visitors on the homepage, guide them through the different sections of the website and also be part of the call to action buttons.
It can be part of the about page, telling the business information, fan facts and the background story in a unique and engaging way.
- If you have physical products, you can incorporate the character into the packaging design.
We can add the mascot to product boxes, labels, or wrappers. That can reinforce brand identity and make the product more recognizable and encourage repeat purchases.
- Create promotional merchandise featuring your character.
You can create t-shorts, mugs, clocks, stickers, plush toys, key chains, phone cases and many more useful products featuring your character. This is a way to expand your reach and create a community around your brand. Fans wearing a brand t-shirt become a brands ambassador and help spread brand awareness.
- Offer photo opportunities with the character on events.
Adding a photo booth with your character to different events creates a memorable and interactive experience for attendees. We can share the photos on social media and become a marketing tool.
To set up a photo session, you need a designated area with a backdrop that features the brand’s logo or relevant visuals. A photographer or a self-operated photo booth stand. Brand-related accessories could be a great idea. The character itself can be in a form of a person wearing a costume of the cartoon, a puppet, or even a cardboard stand.
Last updated on April 25, 2024 11:04 pm
You can also create more of a high-tech experience by having a digital puppet interact with the audience on the screen. Attendees can stand in front of the screen and pose with the digital character as if they are standing next to a real-life mascot. The puppet can talk, blink, wink, pose, gesture as if it was a live person.
Why Choose Cartoon Characters Over Real People?
The choice between cartoon characters and real people depends on the brand’s objectives, target audience, the marketing strategy and the story they wish to tell. Cartoons leave a memorable impression and can appeal to a wider and more diverse audience. In comparison, real people can be effective for specific demographics. Once we create a cartoon character, we can easily use it across various marketing materials.
Conclusion
Whether they represent big famous brands or smaller local ones, animated characters can bring businesses to life. They create a special connection with people that lasts even after the ads are over.
Shop Related Products:
Last updated on April 25, 2024 11:04 pm
- Like
- Digg
- Del
- Tumblr
- VKontakte
- Buffer
- Love This
- Odnoklassniki
- Meneame
- Blogger
- Amazon
- Yahoo Mail
- Gmail
- AOL
- Newsvine
- HackerNews
- Evernote
- MySpace
- Mail.ru
- Viadeo
- Line
- Comments
- Yummly
- SMS
- Viber
- Telegram
- Subscribe
- Skype
- Facebook Messenger
- Kakao
- LiveJournal
- Yammer
- Edgar
- Fintel
- Mix
- Instapaper
- Copy Link
