There’s already much talk about the planned acquisition of America’s entertainment and content gem Time Warner by America’s 2nd largest telco AT&T. Analysts, congressmen, news media and the American public have mixed views about it. But none has said anything about the logo assets in the sale.
ADREES LATIF/REUTERS
The deal will be scrutinized no doubt by the FCC, Justice Department and the Congress Antitrust Committee on a number of worries. However, there’s one side to it not mentioned so far in the myriad of news about the deal – The logos.
THE WASHINGTON POST
Most certainly, AT&T will not change the logos of the companies under the Time Warner group. The logos as corporate identity assets play a significant part on the consumer. The consumers love for the brands under Time warner have been emotionally tuned and consummated by the logos in their faces. I see children for example dash to the TV, soon as they see the Cartoon Network logo. The Warner Bros logo on the title or opening of a movie offers a measure of assurance that you’re about to be entertained. CNN logo presents authenticity and quality of news and information.
Hence what new influence(s) will the logos be made to do on the consumers, now that a Telco is going to own them. I don’t expect the logos will change, but could the psychology behind their use and presentation change? Could AT&T use these logos to drive their market share higher against other telcos. Would we possibly see these logos in AT&T Ads as a way to secure a more emotional engagement of the consumer towards the AT&T brand? Or will intended regulations be strict on the use of the logos too? Or am I simply just “thinking out loud?”.
By Dayo Abiola. Chief Logo Maker, Dayo Abiola – a logo making company.
