How Would You Remake Mickey Mouse?

Audience -
Millenials and Gen Z would be the audience.

Essence -
Smart, self-effacing, stylish, peer driven, wired and connected, mashed up - timeless Old School Steamboat Willie in techni-color with a touch of environmental green and a good scoop of Michael Phelps.

Name/Handle -
Change nick name to Mic or Michael and drop the Mouse in everyday conversation. Just use it in formal address.

In The Know -
Tight fitting, ever changing t-shirts that speak in code - short messages with double meanings.

Healthy -
Do push-ups and leg lift crunches to tone the pecs, triceps and abs.

Wired, Connected, Listens and Responds -
Non-descript smart phone with big screen always in hand or back right pocket. Complete with small head set (at least one earbud in ear at all times) to multi-task - listen to music, watch video, talk to friends and toon out. This is the epicenter for cross merchandising and promotional opportunities.

Prepared for action and business -
Gold shoes morph into tan, slighted muted leather work books with matching work gloves. Deflate gloves and consider fingerless for more versatility to text, game, sign language, lift weights and get busy. Cut gloves tight to free up wrist for additional gaming flexibility and to make room for a mixed assortment of rubber and weaved wrist bands.

Jeans and Assets -
Turn in the mom/Barack-fit pants with big buttons, for low rise, tight fit, tail hanging just over the top in back jeans. Make sure pockets have tears and shreds and the fabric weave has odd patterns that shimmer and change hues in the light. Must look faded and worn.

Black Lycra underwear band hanging low, but just above low rise pants. Note, t-shirt hangs just above underwear band to accentuate it.

Green fabric double buckle military belt with metal fittings.

Hat -
Black with Big iconic mouse head black logo with silver outline on the side. Wear it on one ear turned off center, because nobody else can do that.

Hoodie -
For blustery days - Black and gray stripe hoodie with oversized grey shoe strings in the hood. Big double pockets and zipper down the front that's always open to keep underwear in view. Mouse logo small on chest and just below hood/collar on back.

Backpack –
Black acrylic with grey and silver accents and elastic pull tight, bungee cord weave in front. 6 zippered compartments provide space for every need including padded laptop holder in back. Small mouse logo at the bottom front of the bag. Adjustable padded straps include pocket to hold smart phone. Bag always worn on one shoulder only – never two.

Sideburns -
Restyle sides to be bigger, more blunt shape, less point.

Eyebrows -
Thicken up and move down - but still keep manicured.

Get some choppers -
Nice and natural - not the overdone Hollywooders.

Scruffy whiskers –
Scruff a little, not too much like your trying to scruff.

Tattoos -
Back of neck and ankle. Cool and small. Change out often with secret game cheat codes.

Ear Ring -
Optional. Single diamond stud if absolutely necessary.

Rodney Mason, CMO
www.moosylvania.com
www.twitter.com/rodmoose

Three words: Disney: Hire Rodney Mason!
Killer ideas, Rodney, and I can't touch them.

Disney has morphed Mickey many times over the years and has always asserted the Mouse's relevance, even as other characters and icons have taken his place. My hope is that Disney will loosen its notorious death grip on Mickey by soliciting new non-Disney ideas. Maybe this will give Marvel something to do while Disney and Marvel wait for all of those existing licensing contracts to expire? Testosterone Mickey!

Carol Spieckerman/ President/ newmarketbuilders
http://www.nmbblog.com
Twitter: @retailxpert

Up-to-date youth clothing and 3D graphics, teaching environmental aspects to save the planet! Nuba-Norberto Isnenghi,SP,Brazil

instant reaction: I will keep Mickey Mouse intact and invent a new one may be.

Why not get the guys at Coca-Cola who came up with the brilliant idea to change the formula for Coke to the NEW Coke. The plan to reinvent that icon really worked!

uh oh - crowdsourcing again.

get back to the original.... the very first drawings of mickey. do it. do it.

Rounder, softer, quieter. Why does everything has to be changed to be so, "loud?" Why not just keep an icon, an icon. After all, lack of change establishes it as an icon in the first place.
Right Pillsbury Doe Boy?

Mickey Mouse as a brand and as an iconic character has already proven its ability to "remake" itself (at least be re-discovered with the same awe and wonder as it was first received) by 4 or 5 subsequent generations now by my count. If the suits at Disney corporate can't figure out how to capitalize on magic like that, they don't deserve the legacy left by Disney the man. It's a slippery slope, Mr. Spector. Put down the pen and step away from the gel before someone gets hurt (specifically the generations of children yet to come). The NEW COKE is an apt warning, but, unlike a beverage, once a personality changes, you can't bring back the classic version or stuff that genie back in the bottle. Just ask Michael Jackson's former fans.

Mickey was a rabbit before he became a mouse for copyright and legal issues. Maybe it's time for the rabbit to finally see the day and honor it's creator's original idea.

Let's start by putting him in the public domain where he belongs.

I think to make this work with today's media, Mickey has to go politically correct - therefore we will have to have a Caucasian Mickey, an African American Mickey, a Hispanic Mickey, an Asian Mickey, and a gay Mickey who hang around with each other where ever they go.

Of course we'll have to introduce a bevy of new pals not to leave any one out, including a handicapped Mickey (Sorry, I meant physically challenged), a midget Mickey, (jeez, I mean little person Mickey) an American Indian Mickey (the son of a casino owner,) an emo Mickey (who the others constantly encourage not to cut himself,) and most definitely an earth friendly green Al Gore Mickey. I guess we'll need an anti-smoking zealot Mickey while we're at it.

The story lines are so exciting as no one ever gets in trouble, there's no arguing, they all get along amazingly swell, and when they play sports, there are no winners or losers as every game ends in a tie! Disney Life...milquetoast at its finest!

It's PC Mickey, people! Welcome the the Magic Kingdom!

Tommy Z • Publisher, PlanetZman
The Last Great Bastion for REAL Men
http://www.planetZman.com
http://twitter.com/planetzman

As a parent, I don't think we need another hip, mashed-up, cool, fashionista character. My daughter watches enough and sees enough between what's on Hannah Montanna, iCarly and the junk on the Cartoon Network.

Let's keep someting good and clean and trustworthy. When Micky's Clubhouse is on, I know I don't have to monitor. I can trust it.

Were a hip, edgy, "cool" Mickey to emerge, I would feel less comfortable.

Have you not checked out Epic Mickey - the new video game in the works - its a dark demented Mickey.

I would leave Mickey alone - he is recognized the world over. Millions go to the parks and watch the shows - leave it be!

I have a 2 year old daughter and she is just being introduced to Mickey Mouse through the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Cartoon. She seems to like it as much as Dora the Explorer, Handy Manny or any other recent character designed to appeal to children. Small updates to his wardrobe could work but to go beyond that would be huge mistake. Parents who take their kids to Disney Land and Disney World do it for themselves as much as their children...they identify with Mickey and the other characters because they grew up with them. If Disney chooses to completely overhaul Mickey they will be turning their backs on the parents who buy the movies, toys, etc. and encourage their children to embrace Mickey.

First, I think any updates to this icon should be subtle. How about an update with a bit of 'timeless' applied. The hoodie, low slung pants with underwear hanging out feels very circa 2005. I would hate to see Minnie trying to rock the exposed thong fashion disaster.

There's already a push to go back to the original, non-spokesperson Mickey. It's odd how quickly people have forgotten that Mickey originally could be kind of a jerk with a propensity for cruelty, somewhat in the vein of Bugs Bunny. THAT Mickey is starring in the upcoming Nintendo Wii title "Epic Mickey." http://gameinformer.com/mag/mickey.aspx

Otherwise, the last time we saw Mickey behaving like Mickey was when Bob Hoskins was falling down the side of a skyscraper and Mickey told Bugs Bunny to hand him a spare tire in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit." http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGFc_w1oXt8&feature=player_embedded

I think, at this point, the original vision of Mickey is more stylish, edgy and iconic than anything else. Just embrace the fact that you wouldn't want your kid holding this mouse's hand.

I wouldn't. You don't mess with PERFECTION.

Makeover the way he walks? The way he talks? The way he lives??? Disney, get real...

Honestly, why bother trying to make over a cartoon character that's already achieved worldwide fame?

Instead, why doesn't Disney go back to its roots by focusing on making new movies that are actually worth a damn? What they need are EDGY PLOTS and not a new "edgier" Mickey Mouse.
You want to fix him up? Write lines for him that mean something this day in age without killing his unique personality.

Whatever they do, I vote for keeping him somewhat sweet & innocent so that he can appeal to the masses. There are too many smarty-pants characters out there already that are disrespectful and send the wrong messages to young audiences. My 6-year-old son loves Mickey Mouse, and I love that I can trust that nearly anything associated with Mickey will send a wholesome, respectful message. There's nothing wrong with freshening his look a bit to keep him relevant, but please don't lose the essence and innocence of all of the traditional Disney iconic characters.

I've always seen Mickey Mouse and Sonic the Hedgehog as very similar characters, with Sonic obviously borrowing much from MM. Maybe we can borrow a little from Sonic. Give Mickey a little of that "rogue" they're looking for with a pointier muzzle, sharper and more cocky eyes, and a better stance.

I would give Mickey more bass in his voice, make him a bit buffed, and give him a swagger. He sounds like a squeeky little girl now. I say it's time to "Man UP," Mickey!

We live in a much more ironic world today. The new Mickey M. should be the old Bugs B.

Are you crazy!

Are you crazy!

Are you crazy?

hmmm... tricky. I think when an opportunity like this arises, you have to be careful. We are actually in the process of recreating a logo. We've realized that when creating something new, you must maintain the identity everyone has recognized for all of the company's existence. So if there are not a whole lot of changes, that's easy. Right? Wrong. This presents somewhat of a challenge, because you want to make it noticeable enough to make people curious; but you don't want to upset them. We don't like change! Especially when it comes to our old pal, Mickey.

All this said, I want to say that remaking Mickey Mouse is not an option. Perhaps, a slight modification/enhancement is.

I would suggest a more modern Mickey. He is dated. Needs cooler, but SIMPLE shoes. New clothes... subtleness is key.

www.scoutbrand.com
@socialtweetia.com

p.s. can we also note what a hot topic this is? what am I... comment 27?

Bring him back to his roots. The 1928 Steamboat Willie was a scrappy little bastard who didn't give a shit about anybody or anything, except making music, music, music. He swungs cats by their tails and tossed them in the drink, cranked goats, knocked around baby piglets, and grabbed Minnie by the panties. And bring back the round eyes...he lost his soul when he lost the round eyes.

Yes, perhaps the look is important, yet the setting really helps defines the character's backstory.
Let's take Mickey to Extreme Sports; Skateboards, BMX, Surfing where the slang and jargon is well understood by the youth of today. This same guidance would then be extended to his look and apparel–paid placement anyone? DC shoes, Element Hoodies or tees, Cargo Shorts, etc., etc. Also, how about modern artists in the soundtrack with a driving beat and scenes cut to pace.

Give the kids what they want, seek relate to and understand.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/bretsanders
www.canyonpointe@yahoo.com">www.canyonpointe@yahoo.com

Also,

He needs to be stretched vertically. Taller, lankier, more athletic.

http://www.linkedin.com/in/bretsanders

Can anyone here really imagine a tween -> teen really looking at a modernized Mickey and thinking, "Wow, this new Mickey is so much cooler now." That isn't the culture, kids are savvy enough to know when they are being pandered to--you'd have to wait about a generation for any of this to not induce a bunch of eye-rolling.

But if you bring back something that already existed, that isn't well-known, then you can get reactions like, "I didn't know Mickey was such a badass."

A more engaging Mickey already exists and therefore has the credibility that a tattooed, pierced Mickey does not. Don't pander, reinvigorate.