What makes winter Olympic mascots memorable? A topic modeling analysis

Purpose Olympic mascots are powerful symbols of identity, culture, and commercial appeal, yet their impact varies across different Games. This study explores the factors that make Winter Olympic mascots memorable by analyzing audience discussions.Design/methodology/approach This study examines the factors contributing to the memorability of Winter Olympic mascots by analyzing discussions on Reddit and YouTube, significant platforms for public opinion and user-generated discourse.Findings The analysis identified five key dimensions shaping audience perceptions of Winter Olympic mascots: cultural local identity, emotional design, aesthetic clarity, nostalgic resonance, and character depth with storyworld potential.Originality This study provides a novel framework for understanding mascot appeal by analyzing large-scale user-generated content on Reddit and YouTube, offering fresh insights into the dynamics of Winter Olympic mascots.