FRANCE 98 – The Mascot
FOOTIX, FRANCE 98’s Official Mascot All he needed was a name! FRANCE 98’s official Mascot, lacking “legal status” ever since he was born on May 28 this year, will now answer to the name of FOOTIX. This was the consensus of the thousands who took part in a national competition organized by The French Organizing Committee of the Football World Cup, in collaboration with the French TV channel TF1. For two weeks, between November 13 and 26, the entire French population was given the opportunity to decide on a name for this likable rooster, who is to be France’s ambassador throughout the world. Voting took place via Minitel and by telephone, and no less than 18,500 connections and calls were made. Out of the five names submitted to popular scrutiny, FOOTIX was the runaway winner with 47% of the votes. The other possible names, in descending order of popularity, were ZIMBO, HOUPI, RAFFY and GALLIK. Research on a name for the FRANCE 98 Mascot was undertaken by a company specializing in this field. To reach the final selection list, all names had to fulfill a number of specific criteria. Above all, it was important that they should be easily pronounced, and have absolutely no negative connotations, in the world’s principal languages. It was also essential that the name should have protection as a registered trademark in Europe, the United States and Japan.
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