Cottman refreshes, animates mascot

HORSHAM, Pa. (Feb. 5, 2016) — Nationwide auto service chain Cottman Transmission and Total Auto Care has breathed new life and a new look into its iconic “Cottman Man” mascot.

The company said it has “re-envisioned and revitalized” the character and animated him for its new “The Cottman Man Educational Video Series.”

“Long respected for his trustworthy demeanor, the Cottman Man was the embodiment of every Cottman center technician: capable and honest; a friend in the auto repair business — the guy who was there to offer a hand when a car wasn't living up to expectations,” the Horsham-based company said.

In his new persona, the Cottman Man symbol will be the host on every Cottman center website, www.cottman.com/ offering tips on auto maintenance and repair considerations to help customers make informed decisions about auto repair needs.

“The Cottman Man is someone we're proud to stand behind,” said Derik Beck, the chain's vice president of digital marketing. “He's an image of the very best in each of us: our centers and ourselves. And he's someone we want to emulate every day in our centers, all across the country.

“Presenting him as an animated character for our websites allows us to breathe new life into our most cherished concept: serving the motoring community.”

The animated character will appear on the Cottman corporate website, on the company's Facebook page, YouTube channel, and also will make his way onto individual Cottman center websites.

The Cottman educational video series will include:

• Reasons To Have Your Battery and Charging System;
• Reasons To Have Your Belts and Hoses Checked;
• Reasons To Have Your Brakes Checked;
• Reasons To Have Your Cooling/Heating System Checked;
• Reasons To Have Your Engine Checked;
• Reasons To Have Your Exhaust System Checked; and
• Reasons To Have Your Transmission Checked

In the first series of animated short videos, Cottman Man provides checklists to help consumers recognize problems with a vehicle. Additional videos scheduled to come out later this year will introduce tips to help keep a car “running right for years to come,” Cottman said. Each video will be less than a minute long and “will present complex issues in friendly, easy-to-understand language.”

“Your car is important to you; caring for it shouldn't be something to dread,” said Cottman President Randy Wright. “The animated Cottman Man will provide consumers with the information they need in a clear, friendly style. We're thrilled to be able to provide this level of technical advice in such an accessible format.”