'98 WORLD CUP MASCOT HAS DISTINCT FRENCH JOIE DE VIVRE

     The official mascot of the France '98 World Cup will be a
"friendly, smiling little cockerel with red and blue plumage and
a yellow beak."  The mascot, designed by Paris-based agency
Dragon Rouge, is expected to be a "perfect compliment" to the
official logo for the event -- a soccer ball rising like the sun
from behind the earth.  Both the mascot and logo are joined by
the official slogan, "C'est beau le Monde qui joue" ("The World
at Play Is Beautiful").  The public will be able to vote on a
name for the rooster in the fall.  Sony Signatures and Sony
Creative have been appointed exclusive licensing agents by ISL
Worldwide, FIFA's World Cup marketing partner.  With the "world's
biggest-ever" licensing program planned, the unnamed cockerel
could be the most visible mascot in history (FIFA).