Phryge Plush: What Does The Future Hold For The Olympic Mascot?
She was the star of the summer of 2024. The famous mascot in the shape of a Phrygian cap, created by the agency W, took some time to win over the public. But as soon as the Olympic Games began, its sales skyrocketed. The Phryge plush toy was such a hit with children that the company Doudou et Compagnie will continue to produce it.
A lukewarm start
At its inception, the mascot of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games did not win unanimous approval from the public. When the name and design of the Phryges were unveiled in November 2022, these quirky Phrygian caps elicited mixed reactions on social media.
While they were supposed to represent France and the French Revolution, their anthropomorphic appearance drew numerous criticisms and mockeries from some internet users who saw them in the shape of a clitoris.
The phenomenal success they encountered during the Olympic and Paralympic Games was thus all the more unexpected… The mascot of these Games became a darling of internet users on social media.
like a desire to rebrand my entire being around the Phryges.............. they seem so unbothered umproblematic and just vibing???? pic.twitter.com/Kkzm3UW30p
— Greg/Gigi Von D (@greg_crchl) August 2, 2024
Among the merchandise featuring its likeness, one item in particular captured the public's heart: the Phryge plush toy!
Nearly one and a half million stuffed animals sold
Alain Joly, the CEO of Doudou et Compagnie, the company that manufactures the French version of the Phryge plush toy, has reason to be pleased: this made-in-France toy sold nearly 1.5 million units during the Paris 2024 Games!
These plush toys, which required 9 months of research and development, have become the iconic object of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. For the many tourists who came to watch the events, they are a souvenir they will cherish.
The public's enthusiasm for these plush characters can be explained by the omnipresence of the mascots, with or without prosthetics, during these Games. A collector plush was notably given to each Paralympic medalist during the medal ceremony.
These same plush toys entirely covered the taxi driven by para-swimming champion Théo Curin during the Paralympic Games opening ceremony, and the mascots accompanied the public until the closing ceremony.
The giant and glittery versions, which danced at the Stade de France to the electro sounds of Kungs or Martin Solveig, left a lasting impression. If you loved this festive version of the mascot, know that Doudou et Compagnie created 4 series of 2024 collector “glitter” Phryges. However, these 8096 made-in-France plush toys sold out like hotcakes in just a few days.
A toy built to last
The public's love for Phryges plush toys feels like "a revenge" for Alain Joly, whose company will continue to supply department stores and toy retailers with the famous mascot.
The day after the end of the Paralympic Games, Doudou et Compagnie sold 10,000 plush toys shaped like a Phrygian cap. For the company based in Saint-Leu-la-Forêt in Val-d'Oise, the next challenge is to sustain the success of this character beyond the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
According to Alain Joly, the Phryge plush toy is "not a fleeting product, but a heritage product." Among the possible strategies to prolong its success over time, the CEO of Doudou et Compagnie is considering producing other limited series, much to the delight of collectors.
As you can see, whether in classic or collector's edition, the French people's favorite mascot hasn't finished making headlines!
