More often than not, mascots are cute and cuddly. The kind of creatures that children will run up to looking for pictures or that will try to keep smiles on the faces of fans, even when the home team is getting blown out. Then there’s Murph, Hasbro’s new mascot for NERF products.
Murph is in the same school of mascot as The Philadelphia Flyers Mascot, Gritty, or Pierre and King Cake Baby, who both came courtesy of the New Orleans Pelicans.
Hasbro has just introduced, and this is not a joke, their new nightmarish mascot for NERF brand products named "Murph."
Murph's terrifying catchphrase is "unleash the play in you."
Here is Murph: pic.twitter.com/THZYb02sKY
— Alex Zalben (@azalben) June 17, 2022
This brought about a divided reaction among potential consumers.
There were some dissenters.
— sᴉɹɥƆ (@horriblychris) June 17, 2022
The roller brush from my car wash came to life and is haunting my dreams. https://t.co/iC2JkqnS5h
— Firr (@Firr) June 17, 2022
But don’t feel bad for Murph. He (or she, we really don’t know for sure) has plenty of fans, as well. In fact, while several people were freaked out by Murph, far more people loved him.
While I hate to disagree with @MattSpiegel670, I think Murph the NERF is great. It has the potential to be the next Gritty. https://t.co/2bbZJDpnRL
— Rob Hart (@RobHartWBBM) June 17, 2022
he looks huggable stfu i wanna give him a hug https://t.co/luj13DZDbF
— 🕰 jordan 1312 (@CL0CKWORKPUPPET) June 17, 2022
Look I’m not saying that I would watch a buddy-comedy starring Murph and Gritty.
But I’m also not not saying that. https://t.co/4FMP9BqStF
— Librarianshipwreck (@libshipwreck) June 17, 2022
Hi yes hello as a Hasbro employee I need as much murph merch as humanly possible please https://t.co/vfGe9yCdKa
— Alison Lührs (@alisontheperson) June 17, 2022
Not all reactions fell into the positive or negative category. There were other observations.
Murph has come to liberate what dwells within your flesh, firm one. Let Murph's many tendrils follow the scent of what lurks within your fragile mortal shell. Let Murph peel back the many miserable secrets your creator harbors within you. Tell Murph. Tell Murph everything. https://t.co/HTjCIC7esc
— Sam Sykes (@SamSykesSwears) June 17, 2022
That is the love child of Cousin Itt and a Koosh Ball https://t.co/mAA9qqejPA
— Budget Wonder Woman (@rockcandy87) June 17, 2022
Looks like the lovechild of the Honey Monster and a Car Wash Roller. https://t.co/snJ5IEyX7p
— Dan Cooper: 👑🐦 (@ThatKaitoDan) June 17, 2022
Just ask yourself… How does Murph eat? https://t.co/so8q2hFbq1
— Kwame Opam (@kwameopam) June 17, 2022
he's hot ♥️ hope he got a booty that don't quit https://t.co/cCEFQ2ODkG
— scummy & cummy (@gnarlyanimal) June 17, 2022
Well, there you have it. Truth be told, getting a consensus about a product is a challenging, possibly impossible venture. Heck, go up to 1,000 people and tell them that the sky is blue and chances are, you’ll get at least a few people arguing with you.
No, the goal when releasing a product should not be consensus, but buzz. If people are talking, more often than not, that’s a good thing. Murph definitely has people talking.