New Pepsi Logo -- huh?

Is it just me or does this new Pepsi logo look like the Obama logo turned sideways? Besides that, why are they changing their logo? They claim it's to infuse some excitement into the brand during a recession. Look, we do logo redesigns all the time -- usually for companies who never had a professionally designed logo in the first place. And changing logos can give you an excuse to reach out and touch your customers, or just fire up the troops internally. So I can't make a blanket statement and say this is a bad idea. What I can say, is how much did this cost? How much will it cost to re-brand the trucks, bottles, all the packaging, etc.? How else could they have spent the money? Maybe with some kick-ass contests (people love those any time, but especially in a recession). Or some big, attention-getting marketing stunts at cities throughout the country. Or college campuses.

What do you all think?

Read more here: TheDieline.com: The Leading Package Design Website: What is Pepsi thinking?

New Olympic Logo Very Controversial

Here’s what 400,000 pounds (approximately $791,000) gets you.

The logo for the 2012 Olympics to be held in England was revealed today and the reaction has been largely negative. If you haven’t already figured it out, the shapes make out the year “2012” in an eighties-style design throwback. (Yes, the 80’s are making a comeback. But the question is whether what is retro today will be completely outdated five years from now.)

My guess is that the committee making the decision was looking for something younger and fresher, and they relied on graphic designers to tell them what was “cool.” It seems that no one bothered to ask basic marketing questions: Is it legible? Does it resize well? Does it communicate the main point (the Olympics)? Is it memorable?

Well, on that last point, they may have a “yes.”
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/section/3/story.cfm?c_id=3&objectid=10443673