Our BlueFur mascot has been a representation of our business since we opened. The lovable character has been one dimensional with our logo and has served us well. I feel it is time for our mascot to come alive in the form of a puppet. I have been working to find a good puppet maker to design it and have a few possible solutions.
The idea I have is that we can use the puppet to make weekly video’s for our blog. Something like BlueFur TV where our mascot would comment on the state of the hosting industry in a humours manner. I think the idea would be both entertaining, viral and educational for our current and future customers. The owner disagrees and feels that it is not a good idea.
As a leader in community evolved hosting we have decided we will throw this question out to you to help us decide…
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Rhetorical
April 28, 2008 4:56 pm
This idea makes me think of Ask Palpatine, but without the Star Wars geekdom.
Matt
April 28, 2008 5:12 pm
I don’t think so. It would put into question whether you’re serious about web hosting, or if it’s just a big joke. Seems like it would look like a kids show…
However, a podcast about the Hosting Industry might be cool. Even if it’s just audio (or video with actual people)…
crunchycarpets
April 28, 2008 5:13 pm
Forget puppet…big honking costume that some poor starving college kid can wear at trade shows!!!
blogadmin
April 28, 2008 5:26 pm
There are some that will see our logo and think that already.
I do not see much of a differance between a 2d logo and a puppet.
I think video has more value then a podcast.
blogadmin
April 28, 2008 5:26 pm
Way out of our budget.
blogadmin
April 28, 2008 5:27 pm
That’s kind of what I had in mind but more niche for the hosting industry.
Matt
April 28, 2008 5:36 pm
Podcasts can also refer to video.
You really shouldn’t reinforce that then. :P
Brad Blogging.com - Making Your Blog Better Through Personal Experience
April 29, 2008 3:17 pm
Thats actually a good idea..
Everyone would be like “WTF is this blue thing?” and then they would see bluefur web hosting on the back and be “Oh!!” “I should check them out when i go home”..
But then the budget problems would evolve..So I can’t say I’m for that.
Dr. Cossack
April 29, 2008 6:40 pm
The question is valid, and I’m not sure of my own answer.
On one hand, when you have a solid mascot design (which I believe is the case for BlueFur), there’s a lot of potential in reusing it somewhere else.
On the other hand, it’s too easy to throw ideas around and end up diluting the brand with no-so appropriate uses.
As such, I wouldn’t be able to say if this is a good idea or not.
Nick
April 29, 2008 7:20 pm
I would think it more as a joke or something unprofessional , but on the other hand , if it reaches out to people who cares if its unprofessional or not.
I think making a weekly video on web hosting or how to would be a way better idea.
Linus
April 30, 2008 8:40 am
I like the idea. If you did it right it could be a Muppet kind of thing – maybe like Animal – and he could beat up on the competition. Or maybe not. To make it work it would have to be silly and fun and clear that Blue Fur is not taking itself seriously, except when it comes to webhosting.
Adelle
April 30, 2008 8:59 am
I agree with Matt, you could end up calling into question your professional business reputation. It would be a fine line to walk between education thru entertainment…and Seseme Street.
You could make your mascot a puppet, but I would make him more along the lines of Animal, from the Muppets. He doesn’t need to talk. Make him a co-host, or side-kick, to a strong regular human anchorperson.
Aaron
April 30, 2008 9:51 am
This makes me laugh — I mean Bluefur has horrible downtime, and now I know why – you guys are too busy looking for puppet makers, then to keep your servers running. Pathetic.
blogadmin
April 30, 2008 9:57 am
Not sure what horrible downtime you are talking about. Our servers all have a 99.9% uptime or higher.
Joshua
April 30, 2008 11:17 pm
The fact that this post has an abnormally high amount of comments should say something!
Might be a good way to stand out in an incredibly crowded industry and appeal to more of the mainstream folks (aka the growing sector) of people looking for web hosting.
GoDaddy and the busting bra strap got people talking…BlueFur mascot can be the PG-13 version that appeals to families looking for the perfect web host?
Joshua
May 1, 2008 12:20 am
I should also mention that I know a guy in Vancouver who makes puppets (he did a pretty good one for a TV pilot I was associated with).