As our man, Mish wasn't familiar with TIVVY, the TV Times mascot from the mid sixties, here's a brief look at the magazine's advertising gimmick.
I can just about remember Tivvy and some of the toys associated with the character, as well as the accompanying sixties Gonk craze.
The idea of a Tivvy character began to formulate in the mind of Paul Usher, creative director of the Erwin Wasey Agency , who found the inspiration for Tivvy's look in a Finnish toymakers workshop.
Tivvy is credited to Atelier Fauni, Finland, based on the Gonk figures which Paul Usher found in the Finnish workshop.
Unlike the traditional Scandinavian folklore gnome-like Gonks, with long beards and pointed hats, Tivvy has his own look. He has round body, something like an owl, flat feet and a long beak, like a duck. He wears a striped vest, and sports, what is described as a Beatle-style hair cut.
The Tivvy character had his own 'Tivvy Club' in TV Times, which resulted in several items of merchandise, like badges, annuals, a plastic money box from the Trustees Savings Bank, and even a record called Tivvy's Tune!
I seem to recall an animated TV cartoon, too
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