MASCOT MANOR
We all know the advertising business is going through some pretty hefty changes these days, and there’s no shortage of coverage outlining the various implications. One unexplored aspect of all the shifts that are afoot: what about the mascots?
What started as a random aside between fellow writer, Eric Arnold, and I led to a deeper thought experiment. Which after tons of on eBay-ing, visits to Michael’s (the craft store) and tinkering with a small production studio in my basement led to Mascot Manor — a retirement community in 1:12 scale where we documented the lives of retired advertising icons navigating their second acts.
We built a website — www.mascotmanor.com — created a handle on IG — @mascot_manor — and are still shooting and creating more as time and inspiration permits. Most people seemed to enjoy it. Hope you do too.
Episode 1: Busting the Glass Ceiling
The Kool-Aid Man hits the gym in an ill-fated effort to regain relevance.
Episode 2: Artificial Unintelligence
Life at the manor is disrupted when a not-so-bright resident moves in.
Episode 3: Evergreen Envy
The California Raisins find themselves divided over the industry’s obsession with youth.
Episode 4: Noid's Void
The Noid's crisis of confidence deepens when he scrolls upon
Domino's latest spokesperson.
Episode 5: It Is Easy Being Cheesy
Reactions are mixed when a slick and still working mascot pops in for a visit.
Episode 6: Puddingate
Tempers flare when a favorite afternoon treat goes missing.
No advertising adjacent send-up would be complete without a list made up of an arbitrary number of people at or around an arbitrary age. So it was only fitting we honor that tradition with one of our own that drew attention to the old kids on the block, rather the new ones.
