The Mighty Ducks. The heartwarming 90’s film that led to the creation of a successful movie franchise…and to the founding of a successful national hockey team.

In 1993, the Anaheim Ducks were founded. They are the only sports team in not only NHL history but in North American history, to be named after a brand.

Let’s talk about that.

The Mighty Ducks came out 1992. It surpassed expectations at the box office, raking in $50.7 million USD. Disney, pleased with the film’s performance, thought that they could further capitalize on their success.

In 1992 the franchise was awarded by the NHL. Disney paid an entrance fee of $50 million to The Los Angeles Kings so that they could “share ownership of Southern California”.

From there Disney set out guns blazing. They marketed like crazy. During the height of The Ducks’ popularity, you could find branded pools, rides, and toys. There was even a TV show released about the team.

Unfortunately, the upward momentum eventually slowed.

By the early 2000s, the franchise was struggling. Disney no longer felt as passionate about the venture as they had before and made the decision to sell the team. In 2005 The Ducks were acquired for $75 million.

After its purchase, the team was rebranded in an effort to distance the franchise from their Disney past. The Mighty Ducks were officially renamed The Anaheim Ducks.

Despite the departure from their initially successful Disney past, the Anaheim Ducks hold their own under new ownership and name. They have made it to the playoffs 14 times and even won the Stanley cup during the 2006/2007 hockey season.

This particular instance in sports history is notable as Disney’s efforts were the first large venture into cross-promotional branding. As a result of this, teams all over the world can be seen sporting brands on their jerseys-sponsorship and sports teams are now inextricably linked.

What are your thoughts on this?

Further Reading:

The Mighty Ducks: The Story Behind the NHL Team That Doubled as an All-Time Great Marketing Stunt

Halloween, a holiday celebrated in several countries in the world. With it comes an abundance of free candy, clever costumes, and spooky decor.

We love our skeletons, witches, and monsters but one particular pumpkin-faced friend comes to mind. The unspoken mascot of Halloween, Jack O’ Lantern, combines equal parts whimsy and spook.

But how did this Jack O’ Lantern come to be?

Let’s talk about that.

Jack O’ Lanterns were originally made out of turnips or other root vegetables. Irish immigrants brought the tradition to the US, switching to using the pumpkin, a fruit native to America. The pumpkin was abundant and very easy to carve…also, they made for much less anguished looking lanterns.

There are many theories explaining why people carved Jack O’ Lanterns. Some say they were used to protect homes and to ward off any unwanted evil spirit visitors during Samhain, a Gaelic harvest festival during which spirits were said to wander the earth. Some theorize that the Jack O’ Lantern’s flame represents Christian souls that are trapped in purgatory.

The folklore behind the origin story of the Jack O’ Lantern is also subject to much debate. The story of Stingy Jack is said to have played a part in the creation of the legend:

“Stingy Jack was a miserable, old drunk who took pleasure in playing tricks on just about everyone: family, friends, his mother and even the Devil himself. One day, he tricked the Devil into climbing up an apple tree. After the Devil climbed up the tree, Stingy Jack hurriedly placed crosses around the trunk of the tree. Unable to touch a cross, the Devil was stuck in the tree. Stingy Jack made the Devil promise him not to take his soul when he died. Once the devil promised not to take his soul, Stingy Jack removed the crosses, and the Devil climbed down out of the apple tree.

Many years later, Jack died, he went to the pearly gates of Heaven and was told by Saint Peter that he was mean and cruel, and had led a miserable, worthless life on earth. Stingy Jack was not allowed to enter heaven. He then went down to Hell and the Devil. The Devil kept his promise and would not allow him to enter Hell. Now Jack was scared . He had nowhere to go, but to wander about forever in the dark Netherworld between heaven and hell. He asked the Devil how he could leave, as there was no light. The Devil tossed him an ember from the flames of Hell, to help Stingy Jack light his way. Jack had a Turnip with him. It was one of his favorite foods, and he always carried one with him. Jack hollowed out the Turnip, and placed the ember the Devil had given him, inside the turnip. From that day onward, Stingy Jack roamed the earth without a resting place, lighting his way as he went with his “Jack O’Lantern”. (source)

So the Jack O’ Lantern might have been used as a way to memorialize or scare off Stingy Jack. No one knows for sure.

While there is no definitive history behind the pumpkin lantern, it is certainly a fascinating part of our modern-day lore!

Happy Halloween, friends!