Master plans mascots are community stars
Eighteen years ago, 15-year-old Alan Miller created the first illustration of Summerlin Sam, introducing the new mascot to one of the country's top 20 master-planned communities through a comic strip, "The Adventures of Summerlin Sam."
"Summerlin Sam is our fun and furry community ambassador," said Danielle Bisterfeldt, director of marketing for Summerlin. "Children love him and adults recognize him as the family-friendly symbol of the community. Residents of all ages enjoy seeing and interacting with him at special events."
The "lovable, white cotton-tailed jackrabbit" represents the animal found in undeveloped areas and on golf courses throughout Summerlin.
The jackrabbit is known to dress in different outfits for various community events including opening days for Little Leagues, Fourth of July parades and Tour de Summerlin. He even competes with other mascots in the annual UNLV Rebel Reading Challenge.
But Summerlin Sam isn't the only celebrity animal romping through Las Vegas.
Providence Dog, or just P.D. around the streets of Providence, beat out an owl and a bear to represent the northwest community.
When not busy at community events, residents keep up with his activities in his comic strip "The Adventures of P.D." in the community magazine The Providence Post.
Mascots, which create brand awareness, entertain children and help build community, aren't new to master-planned communities. The Woodlands in Texas features Puffy Pine Cone whose birthday is on Arbor Day and Inspirada in Henderson touts the Inspirada Hummingbird as its mascot.
In 2013, a Summerlin Sam stuffed animal was used to promote the launch of Summerlin's new Instagram account and the annual Best of Summerlin competition.
"The Adventures of Summerlin Sam" showcased the competition's finalists by placing Sam at each location and often posing him with Summerlin residents for Instagram photos. Integrating the mascot into the competition helped build community engagement in the contest.
Mascots are loveable creatures to both children and adults. Adding a little personality and a cute face to community events brings out the kid in most everyone.
