Connecting the Muppet Brand with the Audience
What do you think would be possible if I gave you permission to pursue your dreams? If you have all the resources, time and energy and couldn’t fail, what would you do? What is it that you really, really, really want? What is the whisper in your heart that speaks and never seems to go away?
If the Muppets’ purpose is to make people’s dreams come true, and the audience needs to fulfill their destinies, what is the connection between them? You may think it’s the “Rainbow Connection,” which is true, but it is more specifically: “permission granted.”
The underlying mystical message in Kermit’s song is that you have permission to dream and permission to pursue. You will find the Rainbow Connection!
Who said that every wish
Would be heard and answered
When wished on the morning star
Somebody thought of that
And someone believed it
And look what it’s done so far
Believing in your wish “on the morning star” produces results as you have vision to take action and pursue your dreams. When the Muppets are singing and dancing, expressing mischievous mayhem, and asking the deep questions, they give us permission to live life to the fullest. Their joy has a purpose and their joy has a leader. Kermit is the ultimate underdog. He doesn’t freeze in terror when overwhelming obstacles come his way, he does whatever he needs while being afraid. We love Kermit for his humble determination. He feels insecure in his ventures, and we see ourselves in him. We face the same fears, but Kermit has the strength to pull us to the top of the mountain. He might be a little green guy, but he has vision. And we and the Muppets support the vision. When Kermit achieves that victory, we and the Muppets celebrate that accomplishment. When the Muppets win, we win too.
As an analogy for winning and celebrating the Muppets let’s try to look at them as a physical product that a business wants to sell to a customer. In order for a successful purchase, the brand must fulfill a need or function that the customer requires. “I have some wood and nails, but I need to build something. I need tools: a hammer and saw.” So, If you want the audience to buy your product, give them what they want and help them discover what they need. Regarding the Muppets, the audience needs inspiration and permission to have their dreams realized. If you want someone to like you, give them something they desire. You then will have brand loyalty and repeat customers. You will end up with win-win situation. You will have a happy customer who will sing their songs and write their own stories. The is a way the Muppets can help the audience achieve their purpose and fulfill their destinies.
But, how do you help someone discover what they’re destined to do? How do you help someone receive revelation of their identity?
The answer to that is great storytelling.
Photo by Harry Quan on Unsplash