Know-How Exchange : Advertising/PR

I am not sure where you are located, but in the US, the use of cartoon characters will be hit and miss.

I am not saying there is no busienss there, but it will be difficult to do this as your only business offering. Many US companies won't use cartoon characters since they do not like the branding message they give off.

Even so, some will use them from time to time. One example is www.saraundersiege.com, used by Travelers (insurance). This company, however, rejects the use of any and all cartoon characters in their branding guidelines, which is not unusual. However, for special promotions or uses, you can find some work.

Your challenge will be coming up with the ideas that make a cartoon character worthwhile to invest in. Keebler's elves or Jolly Green Giant and two examples where this can be big. However, those are the exceptions. Focusing on consumer products that can embrace the idea of cartoons will be important, then the idea or how to use them will be critical. Then the next challenge is convincing them to hire you. Companies that have large budgets often will look to cartoonists at Nickelodeon to draw for them - it's not that expensive to have that done.

Not every cartoon charaters will easily get popular and famous. It still need more marketing strategy.

I have seen a Telco company in my country comeout with a mascot. First, they did a promote and songs of the mascot. I was a bit shock with the advertisement from TV, newspaper, megazine, etc and now the the cartoon was so popular until the company try to make money by using the cartoon as a merchandise.

Or maybe some other country don't actually likes a cartoon character. To me, most important is the marketing strategy on how to make it famous and everyone likes it.

Luis

Don't forget the jingle, a cartoon or animated branding character is even more powerful with a good jingle.

Steve