MTV's New Logo
Well it’s about time, MTV hasn’t been “music television” in a long time, I dont think I have seen a music video on MTV in over ten years. So when MTV unveiled their new logo on Monday the first thing that is really noticeable (not to mention highly appropriate) was loosing the tagline. Of course I cant say much else has changed, other then a nice tight crop on the logo itself. It’s the first time I have seen a logo redesign and thought to myself, “That’s it?” It’s sort of funny the MTV logo is known to change it’s appearance on a daily basis from colors to funky patterns to disguising itself into another object like an amp or television set. It has to be the most well-known and manipulated logo. So is this new design really a redesign or just another manipulation?
Variations of the new MTV logo. Image from thewrap.com
According to Andrew Hampp’s article in AdAge.com, MTV general manager Stephen Friedman explained:
“We needed the logo to be flexible enough to have the artists within it but also the stars of our shows. It’s an updating that speaks to this audience in a much simpler, bolder way.”
Hampp also writes, “Mr. Friedman said MTV has also had a problem with brand recognition among viewers who would love certain shows but had no idea they aired on MTV. “The way the logo frames it makes it a simple reference point,” he said.”
Old MTV Logo
The new logo was done in-house but the original logo was done by Frank Olinsky. According to Olinsky’s story the logo was meant to always change:
” [When] asked to come up with the “corporate colors” for the logo. The decision was made that there weren’t any, and that the logo should always change. Knowing that many animators, designers, ad agencies, etc. were going to be working with the logo made them think how, just like rock music always changes, the logo should also. This was a concept that had never been used on a logo before. The “M” and the “TV” could be made of any colors and/or materials.”
Even Cookies! So is the new logo a redesign or a logo that was born to always change? Any thoughts on a new tagline for MTV? K
MTV Promo Cookies from Rolling Pin Productions
Stableford, Dylan, “MTV No Longer About ‘Music’” [Media Alley] The Wrap. February 8, 2010. http://www.thewrap.com. February 9, 2010.
MTV Cookie image: http://www.rollingpinproductions.com/Logos.htm
