6 Logos That Became Legendary After A Rebrand

Brand rebranding – the risk of alienating loyal customers and the possibility of ultimately elevating a business to unprecedented heights. A well-crafted logo serves as the primary ambassador for a company's identity and messaging, making a logo rebrand a critical and potentially game-changing decision. Here, we delve into six such logos that underwent rebranding and solidified their legendary status in the world of business.

The Evolution of Coca-Cola's Iconic Logo

The Coca-Cola company, one of the most recognizable global brands, has undergone several logo revisions since its inception in 1886. The current version, designed in 1887, was remarkably retained for almost 128 years before it finally received a subtle refresh in 2011. Under the creative guidance of Davis and Martz (Atlanta-based design agency), the redesign incorporated a rounded, sleeker script and incorporated mathematical precision to maintain symmetry. Despite minimal changes, the updated logo retains the distinctive color scheme of deep red, maintaining its iconic status.

The Birth of the Taco Bell Logo

Taco Bell has successfully retained and bolstered its brand identity with each iteration of their logo. Designed by Where How Arts and Letters, the first Taco Bell logo debuted in 1964. Its uniqueness and geographical appeal contributed significantly to the restaurant's rapid expansion. The '76 logo came about as a manifestation of modern corporate trends, featuring a warmer color palette and a neatly rearranged order of words. This evolution continued with the logo unveiled in 1995, featuring raised, graffiti-lettered typefaces that hinted at a fresher, edgier approach to fast-food branding. The redesigned logo flips the word order to set itself apart and successfully managed to cultivate the younger audience Taco Bell targeted.

The red, Yellow, and Blue Starbucks Logo

Since its inception in 1971, Starbucks has been an iconic example of successful brand evolution. Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gordon Bowker, the trio behind the original Starbucks logo, sought a nod to their historical connection with Seattle's early espresso machines. This redder, more stripped-down siren logo was abandoned in 1987. Howard Schultz, who later acquired the company, inspired the discharge of a contemporary interpretation designed by Lippincott in 1971. This Dr. Siegel's referenced siren illustration hinted at ancient respectability, which Howard Schultz aimed to instill in the American consuming public's consciousness of coffee. The currently recognizable red, white, and yellow iteration dates back to 1987, highlighting the siren seamlessly against its clean background. As of 2011, the logo received another update when Starbucks respectively simplified and curved the logo, increasing the positive brand image for contemporary consumers gracieously.

Pepsi's The One We Love

The 'Pepsi Globe,' as it is known, owes its fascinating history to Arnell Group's master plan from 2008. This iteration was a bold shift from Pepsi's earlier logos as it marked the company's participation in the global market. While establishing its presence in major malls and city centers, the Pepsi Globe – an absurd, spherical version of the Pepsi logo starring the famous globe and comprising soft forms and spaces – was introduced. This place-based strategy successfully struck a deep emotional chord with the audience.

The Merger of Western Union and Von Coastline

When Von Gustaf Voelker's and Western Union merged in 1884, the client base of the two different companies needed unification from a visual identity standpoint. The 1873 design from John Butterfield had representation in New York, while a different illustration, acquired in 1890 and managed by George Sharp, offered a new look for the entity. These two units needed successful combination in a shape that touched the international audience. Designwest's contemporary take, released in 2001, announced modernity and unity simultaneously while holding onto the rich legacy that impacted users globally.

The abc Scientific logo Evolution

Aimed at providing information and education to ABC's network, the organization began integrating relevance, innovation, and status. The Disney-era redesign in '93 marked a significant departure from the subsidiary's earlier declamations of delivering news and content intelligently. Designed by Olson & Friends, this sculpted, open-faced adaptation reflected ABC's palpable shift towards entertainment. In 2002, undergone an eleven-year subculture, the redesigned 'ACA' logo unified ambiguity, the curved edges resenting the historical roots, with the contrast between "AC" and "A", guarding versatility in their corporate epic story. Today, emerging as a pathway toward ABC News' enhanced adoption, the iteration of ABC Studios expresses content, strength, and positivity through its smart formation and symbolism.

Creating a brand logo is a delicate task that truly reflects a company's identity and values. A transformation of a company's visual emblem can be as intellectually stimulating or as problematic as forming a human relationship. A compelling reason behind the team behind these organizations' decision to rebrand, growing and strengthening the audience loyalty accounts that positioned them at legendary status in the industry amid industry changes highlighting this compelling story. At Cpluz, our elite team of designers and graphic designers understands that meaningful brand-consumer connections are built from cohesive visual representations that not only ascend loyalty but effectively acquaint potential customers with your brand story.

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