Out With The Old And In With The New

With company rebrands we’ve seen Pringles Mr. P get a hair cut, Twitter switching out the bird with an ‘X’ and now Tate & Lyle’s Golden Syrup drops the iconic dead lion.

In a bid to connect with a younger audience, Lyle’s Golden Syrup has revamped its logo after nearly 150 years. Departing from tradition, the new design mirrors a prevalent trend in branding and packaging by creating a simple and flat logo.

The company’s recent decision marks a significant shift in its visual identity. What are your thoughts on the rebrand? Do you think it should have stayed the same?

Reflecting On The Roots

Whilst we are all fascinated by AI, let’s take a step back and look at how things were done in the beginning.

After 95 years of Disney copyright, Steamboat Willie is now in the public domain

In 1928, Disney’s Steamboat Willie revolutionised cartoons with synchronised sound, introducing Mickey Mouse as an iconic brand figure. Despite Disney’s lobbying, Mickey’s copyright, initially set to expire in 1984, officially ended in January 2024, placing the Steamboat Willie version in the U.S. public domain. Hidden Mickeys adorn Disney parks, showcasing Mickey’s influence. While the U.S. now allows unrestricted use, global copyright laws may vary, keeping Mickey protected in some regions.

IMG Unleashes Bold Transformation

IMG introduced a modernised logo and visual identity, the first major update since 2004. The rebrand debuted at the IMG Summit near London. Founded in 1960 by Mark McCormack, IMG is now part of Endeavor, with a global network of over 35 offices across six continents.

WHSmith’s Rebrand is on ‘Trial’

WHSmith’s recent logo uproar sparks intrigue! The iconic brand surprised us all with a new design, causing a stir on social media. While critics voiced dismay, some see it as a clever PR stunt. Turns out, it’s a TEST! Only 10 stores involved, and WHSmith assures it’s not a permanent change. Lessons to be learned in branding strategy. What’s your take on this curious case?

“Peach Fuzz” Pantone’s 2024 Color

Pantone’s 2024 Color of the Year is a Peachy-Keen Delight. Pantone has revealed “Peach Fuzz” to be 2024’s Color of the Year for its “velvety gentle peach tone” with an “all-embracing spirit”.

What memories or feelings does this warm orange-pink hue evoke for you?

Kevin McCallister from Home Alone Returns

Macaulay Culkin returns as Kevin McCallister from Home Alone in this Google Ad. It integrates tech-savvy spin to the iconic scenes creating a modern and nostalgic “remake” of the classic.

Axel Foley Teaser

Nice little Axel Foley teaser. Looks just like something we would have come up with. Very nice. Beautiful detail.

The Die Hard of Christmas ads

Uncommon’s Christmas ad for JD Sports stands out for its relatability, featuring the iconic JD duffel bag as the central theme. The ad is aimed for authenticity, capturing the bag’s role in British culture for over 25 years. The ad, likened to the “Die Hard” of Christmas ads, emphasises warmth and togetherness with a focus on real relationships and moments, avoiding unnecessary branding.

Even the soundtrack, ‘Sweet Harmony’ by Liquid, adds a nostalgic touch. The ad celebrates UK youth culture, embodying the past, present, and future through the iconic JD Sports bag.

The Uncommon team “understood what Britain was like” in 2023 and made something that was “built on the streets”. This ad is a refreshing take on the tried and tested formula of a typical Christmas Ad.

Odd mashups brewing

Often mashups between brands and brand collaboration, seem to make perfect sense. The two brands seem to benefit from each other in a symbiotic way.

Just now and again something comes up that you go ‘woah’. This brand collaboration seems so diametrically opposed that it works because the two things seem so far apart.

What other brand collaborations would make possible ‘odd mashups’?