Wenlock and Mandeville. The names don’t exactly roll off the tongue like Mickey Mouse, Papa Smurf or Spongebob Squarepants. But those are the just unveiled names of the mascots for the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympics.
Any you know what, even though it doesn’t seem to have the staying power of a Bart Simpson, I like these names.
Just think about the brainstorming and approval process they must’ve gone through. You can’t offend anybody (in about 75 different languages), it should be playful and original, child-friendly, loveable, and it should relate to or have some sort of meaning for the “Olympic Spirit.”
Wenlock is named after Much Wenlock, a town about four miles outside of London that helped inspire the modern Olympics with its own local games. Mandeville is named after Stoke Mandeville, a town about 45 miles from London where the Paralympic movement started. A little bit forced? Sure. But when you consider all the parameters, test-marketing, and other creative paths they could’ve taken, these mascot names earn a Bronze Medal. Maybe even a Silver.
Now we just need to add a little fuzzy fur. And maybe an ear, nose or mouth. And perhaps a second eye. On second thought, why not just make Poochie the Dog the Olympic mascot.
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