From rebranding to finding newer ways to attract customers, big brands around the world are trying to adjust to the new normal even as they continue to fight the menace of Covid-19. Some leading international firms changed their logos in 2021 to keep up with their visions.
Burger King
Founded in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, the popular chain of hamburger fast food restaurants changed owners at least four times in its history. From burgers to French fries and from milkshakes to sodas, Americans truly love Burger King.
The new Burger King logo has been inspired from its older logos from the 70s and the 80s. The 70s was also the time when fast-food wars were raging across the US and Burger King appeared to be victorious. The synthetic blue swish has been removed from the new logo making it more organic and the brand’s move away from artificial colors and flavors.
Warner Brothers
Founded in 1923 in Los Angeles, Warner Brothers is one of the “big five” film studios in the US today. Member of the Motion Pictures Association, Warner Brothers has diversified itself into animation, video games and television.
Designed by Pentagram, the new Warner Brothers logo is based on the original insignia which has been with the company since 1923. The gold shield has been replaced by blue and the metallic lettering has been replaced by striking white.
Kia
Headquartered in Seoul, Kia is South Korea’s second-largest automobile manufacturer after Hyundai. According to officials from Kia Motors, the word “Kia” roughly means “Rising from Asia.”
The South Korean automobile giant revealed its new logo on Tuesday during the launch of the Seltos Gravity Edition. Moving away from classic red, the new Kia insignia features steely silver.
General Motors
Headquartered in Detroit, Michigan, General Motors manufactures and distributes vehicles and automobile parts. The largest American automobile manufacturer can boast about being one of the world’s top vehicle producers.
Parent company of brands like Cadillac, Chevrolet and Buick, General Motors is now changing its image to become one of the world’s leading electric vehicle manufacturers. The new logo and the new tagline, “The clean skies of a zero-emissions future” are very well aligned with the brand’s makeover. The new logo features electric blue with “g” and “m” in lower case.
Pfizer
The world’s largest pharmaceutical company, Pfizer produces and develops medicines and vaccines which include oncology, immunology, neurology, cardiology and endocrinology. BNT162b2 is a Covid-19 vaccine which is currently being developed in partnership with BioNTech.
The new logo design is inspired from double helix, the shape of the human DNA. The new logo also symbolizes the company’s departure from a commerce-based healthcare company to a firm dedicated to eliminating diseases.
CIA
The Central Intelligence Agency is a civilian foreign intelligence service operated by the federal government of the US. Unlike the Federal Bureau of Investigation whose main focus is providing domestic security, the CIA is mainly concerned with overseas intelligence gathering.
The CIA is the only American agency which is authorized by law to carry out covert action at the President’s request. From paramilitary covert operations to offensive cyber-operations, the CIA’s role over the years has only expanded. The popularity of the CIA is such that it has appeared in films, books and video games.
The eagle, compass and scroll in the CIA logo have been replaced by a more contemporary design. Not everybody is happy with the logo of “the Nation’s first line of defense.”
Dacia
Romanian car manufacturer Dacia was established in 1966. The Romanian government sold the company to the French car manufacturer Groupe Renault in 1999. After the original 1300, the Dacia Logan became the company’s most successful model.
Despite criticism, the Dacia Logan became the top-selling car in Europe and Russia after its release in 2004. The Dacia 1300, the best car of the company, was released to the public in 1969. The modernity of the vehicle took the world by surprise. If you were to buy a Dacia 1300, there would always be a lengthy waiting list.
The 2021 rebranding of Dacia is completely different from all the other previous logos. The new visual identity of Dacia features an abstract geometric pattern above the stylized logotype. Executed in solid black with numerous sharp angles, the new Dacia logo appears futuristic.
Inter Milan
Inter Milan was founded in 1908 following a separation from Milan Cricket and Football Club. The football club can boast of winning the famed Champions League three times. The club has also won three UEFA Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup.
According to La Repubblica, an Italian newspaper, Inter is one of the most supported clubs in Italy. Inter is also known for its rivalry against Milan, Juventus and more recently with Roma. Other clubs like Atalanta and Napoli are also considered Milan’s rivals.
The two most recognizable elements of the logo have been the circular monogram and a snake. Though Inter Milan’s insignia has been redesigned a dozen times, the legendary European football club has stuck to its two main symbols.
The 2021 redesign of the logo features a blue circle with black outline and fancy white lettering. The amazing new visual identity of the football club has been well received by everyone around the globe.
Post -it
Developed in 1968 by Dr. Spencer Silver, the Post-it notes had “low-tack”, pressure-sensitive adhesive. Dr. Silver was trying to develop a super-strong adhesive but ended up accidentally creating the popular “low-tack” adhesive.
The adhesive invented by Dr. Silver allowed notes to be easily attached to the surface and then removed without leaving a mark. Post-it notes or “sticky notes” are extremely useful and widely used around the world.
The new logo has done away with four cartoonish squares with curved edges and settled for a more minimalistic design. The new flat design has the internet divided in terms of likeability.
Those were some big brands that changed their logos in 2021. Will more brands be attracted to the new redesigns? Only time will tell!
Business Development Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the Media and Digital marketing sector, Passionate about innovation and bringing the future into new business solutions.
