One casualty I've noticed since consolidation - now that stations are partners and not competitors - is the death of the Station Mascot. A costumed character - often wrapped around a sweaty intern gasping for breath - that gave away dopey shit and posed for photos at remotes and events.
And I really miss them! :'(
Stations I was involved with over the years had kangaroos, large birds, cats with sunglasses... the guys crosstown had a bear, a square-jawed jock, gorillas, chickens ... there was no end to the creativity.
Nowadays, an "event" usually means a folding banquet table with a sprinkling of cheap giveaways like squeeze water bottles and crap key rings, a stained & torn banner across the front, a boombox, and a couple of "street team" members being paid minimum wage to stand there and explain to the public why "Jason in the Morning" is really based out of Akron and won't be here today. Gone are the days when giant smiling ears of corn were handing out T-shirts.
Guys older than me miss their cart machines and turntables. For me, it's mascots. They might have been a '90s phenomenon, but they were fun. Anyone else?
And I really miss them! :'(
Stations I was involved with over the years had kangaroos, large birds, cats with sunglasses... the guys crosstown had a bear, a square-jawed jock, gorillas, chickens ... there was no end to the creativity.
Nowadays, an "event" usually means a folding banquet table with a sprinkling of cheap giveaways like squeeze water bottles and crap key rings, a stained & torn banner across the front, a boombox, and a couple of "street team" members being paid minimum wage to stand there and explain to the public why "Jason in the Morning" is really based out of Akron and won't be here today. Gone are the days when giant smiling ears of corn were handing out T-shirts.
Guys older than me miss their cart machines and turntables. For me, it's mascots. They might have been a '90s phenomenon, but they were fun. Anyone else?