Out with the old, in with the new

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

I’ve noticed several brand/logo changes lately. I wanted to share some with you and get some feedback!

The first is from Dairy Queen. I didn’t know about this change until I passed the one back home and noticed a new sign.

Here’s the old:

And the new:

Personally, I like the old better. I think it’s classic and looks great as a bright neon sign. It’s recognizable, but now these swooshes get in the way of that. What do they add to the idea of Diary Queen? Thoughts?

Next up is Pizza Hut, or now is SOMETIMES going to be labeled as The Hut according to their press release.

The old:

The new:

I think “Pizza” in the name really helped the brand recognition, so now I’m not sure about this new one. When people see "The Hut" they may be wondering what in the world they sell and choose not to go there. Compared to before, when the answer was obvious. I also do not like that they are using this logo at some locations and the old in others. I think that could be a confusing disastor for consumers. Like? Dislike?


The last I have for you is Pepsi. It’s not so recent and got a lot of talk in a lot of my classes.

The old:

The new:

The new logo was presented with a lengthy scientific report complete with graphs on the energy fields within the logo showing how it would pull buyers towards it. Well, it may have worked on me. I started buying Pepsi products and found a new love for Diet Pepsi (I blame the energy fields). The logo is American, modern yet still classic, and somehow has a friendly feeling. If you google image search "New Pepsi logo" you'll see all kinds of things: a variety of smiling faces within the logo, an overweight man within the new logo and Obama's campaign logo. Who has fallen for the energy fields??

Building a strong brand is a very lengthy process. So rebranding and changing the face of your brand is a big decision. It could change how consumers feel about the brand at first glance, good and bad, and it may cause a decrease in recognition or recall of the brand. Companies just have to decide if it’s worth it in the long run. So, who thinks these companies made a good decision?

Thrilling Tasteful Tangible Tantalizing Totally Tite Terrific Tune Tuesday

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Go.

So, I think I first heard this song when our amazing FCA praise band led it in worship one Tuesday. David Crowder released this song as a single, BUT I just discovered that someone from Charlotte actually wrote it and happens to be the brother of my photography professor I had last semester. His name is John Mark McMillan and click here to get the background on when and why he wrote the song. (I have the David Crowder version below without any intro).

Well, I think this song is pretty self-explanatory, but the lyrics really capture the beauty of our good and great God. I love having this song that allows me to sing it out to Him. So just press play below and reflect on some of the words I took out:



I listened to the song the other day while I was sitting on the beach back home. It was unusually windy and from the very start of the song, I was aware of God’s presence and the beauty He created around me:

Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.

Love this one!

When all of a sudden,
I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

Oh how He loves us

When I was at the beach, the ocean part overwhelmed me because as far as I could look, all I saw was the big blue sea:

We are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.

I want my heart to do this every time I think of His love. I don’t want to be able to sit still:

And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

Done.

South Carolina Makes Headlines

Sunday, July 5, 2009

South Carolina has been the state for news these past few weeks. And not good stuff. Here’s a recap for all you non-palmetto-tree-state-livers:

1. Governor Mark Sanford’s affair with an Argentinean woman. Great. First he was “missing” and then we find out this was happening instead. He’s been sneaking off, lying, using government money and cheating on his wife and family for the past few months. And he didn’t resign although outcries for it are increasing every day. I was quite embarrassed on many levels when he made the announcements: as a South Carolinian, a Christian (which he and his family are), and I thought if he brought up Beaufort Senator Tom Davis’ name one more time as being his buddy…geesh. I think Sanford was a lucky man when he scooted out of national headlines because of Michael Jackson’s death. Click here for the whole story.
2. Gaffney County has a serial killer and he has already taken 5 victims in less than a week. A little scary considering I was there just a few weeks ago for a wedding. The killer’s pictured popped up on CNN and CNN.com while over 100 investigators in the Carolinas are working on the case. Let’s get this guy. Click here for more information. 
   
3. This one didn’t make national news, but a huge fire overtook an old mill in Rock Hill, just blocks away from my apartment. Apparently the fire was so big, that smoke could be seen from as far away as Charlotte. The building used to be a bleachery, but has been abandoned for a while. It took more than a day for 55+ firefighters to get the fire out. Read more here.  

Let’s all hope that sweet southern little South Carolina will only make good news. Please.