It seems that if you’re naming and branding a travel payment card system, it has to be a random aquatic animal name. The latest system introduced in Merseyside for local transport has been named Walrus!

They say it’s a Beatles reference but how is that related to transport? Probably just a random animal picked out of a hat. We’ve had Oyster, so next thing you know we’ll see the animals moving into other sectors - maybe Dugong telecoms, Manatee Broadband, Sea Lion Mortgages, Polar Bear Credit Cards…. Actually, they sound good, let’s pitch them!

Magnum recently released an advergame called ‘Pleasure Hunt’ as part of its new global campaign to launch the new Magnum Temptation Hazelnut ice cream.

In the game the player is a a beautiful woman hunting for bonbons (the key ingredient in the new ice cream). The aim of the game is to collect as many bonbons as you can whilst running, jumping, flying and driving through 20 well known websites.

With so much online content, it’s difficult to get stand out and that’s where recommendations come into play. Pleasure Hunt is a something that will be shared virally and no doubt will appear across all social network sites as you challenge a friend and share your result.

It’s a great concept and we’re impressed by how in-depth this interactive game is, as well as its great use of brand integration.

Surely this is just a PR stunt, they’d never really get rid of the mugs?

Mind the Gap

Global clothing chain Gap has unveiled its new logo to mass criticism from customers worldwide. The relaunch of the logo has caused such a stir that the head honchos at Gap have decided to let their customers have a go at designing something better, crowdsourcing to the general public through social media sites such as Facebook.

But what was wrong with the original? The iconic branding was instantly recognisable on the high street, whilst the new logo looks corporate in design. No wonder they’ve received such negative feedback and are now looking to the public for help. Or was that the point in the first place?

What do you think?

Tony, brand expert and head of our Client Services team:

“I think the key with redesigning any logo that’s as well known as GAP’s is that you DON’T redesign it!! The recognition the logo enjoys is massive, so the key is to bring the logo up to date (refresh it if you will) without losing the original essence. Yes, the current logo does look a bit dated but much better to update it (à la Kellogg’s, Mars, Hertz, BA etc.) than to ‘throw the baby out with the bathwater’ by creating a new logo that no one can identify with. Of course some brands have gone this route (such as BP) but this usually reflects a big shift in brand values and an associated big investment in communicating these”

In this digital age of computer-generated graphics and typography, it’s refreshing to see a small subset of typographers who still believe in working by hand.

I wanted to share with you as inspiration, that as good as some corporate guidelines are, it’s great to break away from the mold.

Interested? Have a look here.