Mascots In Play

Josh Smart - Creative Director

Josh Smart got his start in the mascot business when he decided to revitalize his high-school mascot. Bringing a new vision to this old Miller sparked Josh's interest in mascots. He realized he had a penchant for bringing mascots to life through illustration and took a good look at how mascots were being used to entertain in various venues. He was approached to revamp a mascot program for blood centers. His efforts increased overall blood donations through educational marketing. He brought Buddy Blood Drop into a new millennium for the American Red Cross blood services; illustrated a 24-page coloring and activity book; and has created blood drop mascots for over 200 other blood centers. From mascot costumes to T-shirts to stickers to activity pages, Josh's blood drop illustrations have helped blood centers raise awareness about the need for blood through educational programs in elementary schools across the US, Canada, Europe, Asia and Africa.

Josh has brought the same approach to developing mascot programs for professional sports. He started by drawing caricatures for his local professional basketball squad. When the front office saw his talent in the pregame, they invited him to put together an idea to recreate their mascot. The team used Josh's illustration and animation of the mascot which appeared all of the arena, from the Jumbo-tron to the program. He has continued working with this team on various marketing promotions increasing concession and gift-shop revenue just by maximizing the exposure of the mascot.

Since this initial foray into professional sports, Josh has continued to work for teams of all sports and leagues. His talent, combined with the marketing expertise of Mascots-in-Play will take your mascot to the next level.

Jamie Stewart - Creative Director

Jamie's bio coming soon!