Bamsefabrikken - A cute teddy bear in purple plush represent a No Bullying project for Save the Children

Sweet teddy bear representing No Bullying

Bullying is most prevalent in the 4th-7th grades, but already begins in kindergarten. This has laid the seeds of the anti-bullying project "No Bullying" aiming at the 3-8 year-olds.

Save the Children and the Mary Fund have developed Project No Bullying by initiative of HRH Crown Princess Mary. The inspiration comes from The Alannah and Madeline Foundation's work against bullying in Australia.

The project is aimed at both children and parents and contains several instructive elements used to help create communities of children in kindergarten and the first school years.

Bamsefabrikken was contacted by Save the Children to produce a mascot figure - a purple teddy bear - as mascot costume. The purple teddy bear was inspired by the mascot representing the Australian sister concept against bullying. He is simply called Teddy Bear Friend and remind children to be nice to each other.

Teddy Bear Friend has repeatedly been in distinguished company with HRH Crown Princess Mary, not the least at the launch of the No Bullying campaign where the purple costume was brought to use for the first time and caused joy among children as well as adults.

Mascots are important effectors of messages as they are able to communicate in children's height, and the kids can relate to the mascot. It is equally important that the mascot has the perfect look and charisma to fit the personality you want added to the mascot. For example, should the mascot be cute, cheeky, silly, dangerous or stupid?

Teddy Bear Friend's charisma is quite harmless. The mascot radiates joy and kindness and warmth, and it is equally important that the person who appears in the costume manages to convey the right qualities, such as hugging children or talking nicely and friendly to the children that he or she meets.

The No Bullying project is already several years old and Teddy Bear Friend has appeared in the purple costume many times, not least by Børnestaffetten, a friendly race for children, where it is also very popular to be photographed along with the purple mascot.

In a costume such as Teddy Bear Friend's the head has a built-in electronic ventilation system that cools the head of the person who appears in costume. It's quite warm to wear a mascot costume - as anyone who has tried it will confirm. The ventilation system makes the situation a little more humane and bearable. Yet we do not recommend that you act in a mascot costume for more than an hour at a time.

Do you have a great idea or need help in developing a mascot, please feel free to contact Bamsefabrikken at +45 4062 2927 or by email.