A Change of Brand

Bonus: Best and Worst Brand Writing of 2024 with Carissa Justice Dec 17, 2024

We’re stepping into the overlooked and underappreciated world of verbals to reflect on the best (and worst) brand writing of 2024. From one-off campaigns to full verbal identities, which brands made this year’s naughty and nice lists? To weigh in on the good, the bad, and the missed opportunities is Carissa Justice, Founder of The Subtext, an online destination by and for writers, amplifying unique voices and fresh perspectives.
To see more of the brands discussed today, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @changeofbrand.
Check out thesubtext.online (here) for exciting and inspiring copywriting in branding and beyond.
Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), edited and scored by ATAM Audio, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

Pepsi with Mauro Porcini Aug 06, 2024

When Pepsi’s overly philosophical rebrand launched in 2009, it was a real head scratcher for average consumers and design aficionados alike. While their 125th anniversary provided an opportunity for change, how do you even begin to rebrand such a global company like Pepsi? In this masterclass on playing the long game, Mauro Porcini, Chief Design Officer at Pepsico, tells the story of how he and his team across 17 Pepsi design centers executed a rebrand 10+ years in the making.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, brief-in by Dee Boyle, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

EA Sports FC with Nils Leonard Jul 30, 2024

When EA Sports and FIFA parted ways in 2023, there was just one minor problem: the popular soccer video game’s brand was entirely wrapped up in the FIFA name. Nils Leonard, Co-Founder of Uncommon Creative Studio, shares how he and his team approached creating a FIFA-less brand that honored the video game’s 30-year legacy while positioning the brand to thrive for another 30 years and beyond. But would the new brand play well under pressure?

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, brief-in by Dee Boyle, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

Twitter vs. X with Armin Vit & Jason Cieslak Jul 23, 2024

Twitter’s overnight transformation into X is still a mystery. What would cause a brand to take such extreme measures as to shed its identity completely? And what lessons, if any, can we take from this massive Change of Brand? Co-hosts Blake Howard and Tracy Clark go head to head in our first ever Debate of Brand®. Also, industry experts Armin Vit, editor and writer behind Brand New, and Jason Cieslak, President at Siegel+Gale, weigh in on the controversial rebrand.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, brief-in by Dee Boyle, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

Reddit with Natasha Jen Jul 16, 2024

With their rising success and a cult-like following, Reddit had ambitions of enhancing their global presence. But would the desire for change push too far for fans? And would their beloved mascot, Snoo, become a casualty? Natasha Jen, Partner at Pentagram, demonstrates how it’s possible for a quirky brand to grow up while still keeping its charm.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, brief-in by Dee Boyle, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

RISE with Gavin Hurrell Jul 09, 2024

The cannabis industry is basically the Wild West. In an emerging market, how do you execute a rebrand for a dispensary while juggling state-by-state regulations and varied public perception? Gavin Hurrell, Creative Director at Turner Duckworth, shares how he and his team approached their work for RISE, a growing retail dispensary leading the movement to democratize cannabis.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, brief-in by Dee Boyle, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

Are Script Logos Dead? with James Bowie & James Edmondson Jul 02, 2024

In 2023, we saw Eddie Bauer and Johnson & Johnson retire their widely recognizable script logo for a basic sans serif type, causing a sweep of panic in the design community. Are all script logos doomed? To find out whether this is an actual trend, we consulted type experts James Bowie, Fast Company contributor and sociologist at Northern Arizona University who studies trends in logo design and branding, as well as James Edmondson, Type Designer and Founder of OH no Type Co.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, brief-in by Dee Boyle, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

U.S. Army with Matt Egan and Jason Miller Jun 25, 2024

You thought your clients were tough? Try having a branch of the military as a client. To combat their brand and recruitment challenges, the U.S. Army enlisted the help of Siegel+Gale, a partner within Team DDB. Matt Egan, Managing Director, Strategy and Jason Miller, Creative Director at Siegel+Gale, share how they handled an intimidating room full of generals to deliver the Army’s 2023 rebrand.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, brief-in by Dee Boyle, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

LG with David Stevens and Tom Carey Jun 18, 2024

LG is an electronics giant with one of the most instantly recognizable logos. But with decades of brand equity in their smiling icon and “Life’s Good” tagline, how do you signal a shift in the marketplace without throwing away everything you’ve built?
David Stevens, Executive Strategy Director and Tom Carey, Senior Creative Director at Wolff Olins share how they approached bringing “the face of the future” into the future.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, brief-in by Dee Boyle, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

Formula 1 with Mike Reed Jun 11, 2024

Once F1 was acquired by a mass media company in 2017, they faced a crossroads that many legacy brands face: How can they honor their storied past while attracting a new, more global audience? In our most requested episode yet, we’re zooming in on verbal identity with Mike Reed, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Reed Words, in the driver’s seat.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffries, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

Glassdoor with Deanna German Jun 04, 2024

After Glassdoor’s acquisition of Fishbowl in 2023, they enlisted the help of Deanna German, Creative Director at Koto, and her team to reposition them as more than just a workplace insight platform, but a place for community conversation. The catch: Glassdoor requested an open design process, meaning Koto would share design concepts with the public early and often. How can you have such a wide range of feedback and still move forward with work you believe in? This episode may be about transparency, but you’re just going to have to listen for yourself to get the full story.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Created by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by ATAM Audio, fact-checked and coordinated by Jill Jeffires, produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Stephanie Kim.

Minecraft with Harry Elonen Aug 29, 2023

As a highly successful and ever-expanding company, the Minecraft brand began spawning major inconsistencies as it was built over time; block by block. But in 2022, they released a brand update that tidied up the logo system and individual identities for their ever-growing amount of sub-brands, extensions, and products. Harry Elonen, Senior Brand Manager for Minecraft at Mojang Studios, shares how he and his team regained control by refining the master design system.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by Landon Oseitutu, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, written in part and produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Nokia with Lee Coomber Aug 22, 2023

Despite being known as a B2C telecom giant turned dying star, Nokia’s focus has been on developing B2B network technology for the past decade. For Nokia’s first major rebrand in 45 years, it was crucial to be seen as the digital innovator they are, not the mobile phone company they were. In this episode, we talk to Lee Coomber, Creative Director at Lippincott, to learn how his design team righted the misperceptions of an enterprise legacy brand.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by Landon Oseitutu, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, written in part and produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Bolt with Arthur Foliard Aug 15, 2023

Bolt, an online check-out platform, debuted its first brand refresh in 2023 and ended up sparking a larger conversation around originality. Are the logos being designed today really that new, or just an echo of something that has come before them? Arthur Foliard, Creative Director at Koto, shares with us how his team approached the risk of pursuing such a strong and simple idea, as well as the criticism after the fact.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by Landon Oseitutu, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, written in part and produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Link to Everything is a Remix (documentary mentioned in episode)

Baskin-Robbins with Ryan Brazelton Aug 08, 2023

Despite being associated with cherished childhood memories, Baskin-Robbins began to feel frozen in time. Domestically the brand felt dated, but in international markets the line was out the door. Baskin-Robbins needed to create a signature that was strong enough to be global while domestically rebuilding the brand at a core level. But there was confusion around the timing - didn’t they just debut a brand refresh a few months prior? We get the inside scoop on the 2022 rebrand from Ryan Brazelton, Chief Creative Officer at ChangeUp.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by Landon Oseitutu, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, written in part and produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Going with Eric Ng and Andie Wexler Aug 01, 2023

A name change is one of the most extreme versions of change for a brand. So when travel company Scott’s Cheap Flights decided to depart from the founder’s namesake, people questioned why such a successful brand would bother with a name change at all. The 2022 rebrand was led by DesignStudio, and we’re lucky enough to have Eric Ng, Executive Creative Director, and Andie Wexler, Senior Brand Strategist and Writer, as our tour guides for this deep dive into the project.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by Landon Oseitutu, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, written in part and produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

City of Florence with BT Harman Jul 25, 2023

(Not so) lovingly referred to as the Florence Fiasco, the city of Florence, Alabama’s 2022 rebrand often tops the list for the worst logo launch in recent history. But it’s not just the logo that caused an uproar - the entire rebrand process became a local scandal full of lies, cover-ups and finger-pointing from city officials. Florence-native B.T. Harman, content strategist and creative guru, provides insight into the rebrand disaster and why it went so far south.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by Landon Oseitutu, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, written in part and produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Visa with Rob Duncan Jul 18, 2023

Around 2020, Visa wanted to reposition their brand for the digital economy and become more purpose driven. However, this story is more about honesty and how direct an agency can be with a client. Rob Duncan, Partner and Creative Director at Mucho, shares that there is a right balance between being a straight shooter and choosing your battles for the sake of creating the best work possible.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by Landon Oseitutu, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, written in part and produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Kraft Mac & Cheese with Terry Sieting Jul 11, 2023

Despite the success of selling over one million boxes of macaroni and cheese, Kraft wanted to position their signature pasta dish as a timeless comfort food for all people while creating a more contemporary look. In this episode, we catch up with Terry Sieting, Senior Designer at JKR to get the inside scoop on the Kraft Mac and Cheese 2022 packaging and brand identity refresh.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by Landon Oseitutu, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, written in part and produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Zapier with Michael Jeter Jul 04, 2023

Brands don’t exist in a vacuum. Sometimes world events change the way the world will look at your brand. And a change is needed. As bay-area tech startup Zapier prepared to launch its brand refresh, a new symbol making headlines would create a moral dilemma. Michael Jeter, former Creative Director at Zapier, shares with us how they navigated the decision to scrap months of work and move forward with a new vision.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by Landon Oseitutu, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, written in part and produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Instacart with Daniel Renda & Kevin Byrd Jun 27, 2023

We’re kicking off Season 4 with a closer look at Instacart, which has been the leader in grocery delivery services since its early start-up days. But after about 10 years in the market, their brand was feeling a bit stale. Or wilted. In 2022, they started to dangle a new logo and look and feel for customers to get excited about. But the path to get there wasn’t easy. In this episode, we go behind the scenes with Kevin Byrd, Executive Creative Director for Instacart and Daniel Renda, Senior Creative Director at Wolff Olins to find out whether they bit off more than they could chew.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited and scored by Landon Oseitutu, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, written in part and produced by Brianna Belcher, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Bonus: Naming Wins and Fails with Rob Meyerson Feb 14, 2023

Name changes are possibly one of the hardest things a brand can endure. With over a million trademarks filed annually with the United States Patent and Trademark office, but only 170,000 English words in common use today, names are only going to get more creative - for better or worse. In this bonus episode, host Blake Howard and naming guru Rob Meyerson discuss some of the biggest brand naming wins and fails, as well as provide insight into the nebulous process of naming a brand.
For more on Rob Meyerson and his book Brand Naming, visit: https://robmeyerson.com/ and https://robmeyerson.com/book
To learn more about the brands discussed today, visit: achangeofbrand.com
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com/@matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, edited by Gabe Kitzman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Bugatti with Juan Barrios and Linda Marquardt Oct 04, 2022

There aren’t many automotive brands mightier than Bugatti. So when the manufacturer of multi-million dollar supercars handed the keys to the brand over to Head of Strategy Linda Marquardt, Associate Creative Director Juan Barrios, and their team at Interbrand, it was a big moment. In this episode, A Change of Brand uncovers what it’s like to rebrand the incomparable and pitch a product most people don’t expect they’ll ever be able to afford.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Gabe Kitzman, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Cam Leberecht, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Sprite with Chris Garvey Sep 27, 2022

Sprite is one of the world’s most popular soft drinks, with a style you can spot a mile away. But despite its signature look, the refreshing soda needed to find a way to stay fresh with a young new audience. In this episode, we go behind the scenes with Chris Garvey, Executive Creative Director at Turner Duckworth to see how they did it…and to hear firsthand what it’s like to catch your white whale.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Gabe Kitzman, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Cam Leberecht, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

M&Ms with Kristie Malivindi Sep 20, 2022

M&Ms has a lot going for it — cute, memorable characters, a wide range of flavors, not to mention a storied brand over 80 years strong. But how could Mars Inc. expand the candy brand’s identity beyond its sweet core elements? Kristie Malivindi, design director at Jones, Knowles, Ritchie, catches up with A Change of Brand to recount how JKR navigated stakeholder apprehension to create a full-fledged, flexible system that’s not short on fun.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Gabe Kitzman, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

PBS with Bogdan Geana Sep 13, 2022

Retooling an American institution is no easy task — just ask Bogdan Geana, partner at Lippincott. On the heels of a milestone 50th anniversary, Public Broadcasting Service tapped the Lippincott team to create a refreshing evolution for the PBS identity, from brand voice to ensuring its signature blue didn’t come off as politically biased. To top it off, the updated look had to appeal to all 300-plus network affiliates across the nation. No sweat, right? We go behind the scenes and dig into the heavy lifting that went into this iconic Change of Brand.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Gabe Kitzman, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Why Sports Rebrands Are So Hard with Jon Contino Sep 06, 2022

For decades, some of America’s most beloved sports teams played with imagery trading on outdated, offensive racial stereotypes. It wasn’t until very recently — with the public calling foul and sponsors pulling their support — that some sports brands relented and rebranded. In this episode of A Change of Brand, we dive into the murky waters of controversial sports branding with designer and creative director Jon Contino.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Gabe Kitzman, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

US Open with Sagi Haviv Aug 30, 2022

Everyone loves a comeback story, especially in sports. The US Open is the “big show” for tennis players and spectators alike, its brand is seemingly untouchable. In fact, its identity remained essentially unchanged since 1997. That is until the renowned Chermayeff & Geismar & Haviv served up a new look in 2018. We sat down with partner and designer Sagi Haviv to get the play-by-play on a challenging but triumphant change of brand.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Gabe Kitzman, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

CVS Health with Howard Belk Aug 23, 2022

With business booming and its national footprint expanding like wildfire, CVS seemingly had it all. But the pharmacy giant wanted to make a more meaningful impact on the future of health, from removing all tobacco products from its shelves to solidifying its name (switching from CVS Caremark to CVS Health). In this episode, Siegel+Gale CEO Howard Belk explains how his agency helped CVS unify four service brands under one foundational identity, without losing its heart for health and people.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Gabe Kitzman, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

London 2012 Olympics with Sairah Ashman Aug 16, 2022

The Olympic Games have come to represent the best of the best — incomparable athletics, state-of-the-art facilities, host cities that pull out all the stops, and of course, outstanding branding. In 2012 London hosted the Summer Games and wanted to capture the world’s attention with an identity that would turn the notion of the modern games on its head. Sairah Ashman, global CEO at creative consultancy Wolff Olins shares the firm’s design thinking for the brand that would go on to be one of the most talked-about, unforgettably modern Olympic Games emblems.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Gabe Kitzman, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Maker's Mark with Jared Britton Aug 09, 2022

Although its identity wasn’t on the rocks, iconic bourbon brand Maker’s Mark needed to better connect with the Millennial crowd. We spoke with Creative Director Jared Britton at branding firm Turner Duckworth, who worked directly with the distillery founder’s grandson to refresh a brand that’s been untouched since 1958.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Gabe Kitzman, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Uber with Amanda Munilla Aug 02, 2022

From a logo emulating its sleek black cars to an abstract representation of “bits and atoms,” Uber’s brand identity has taken a few detours over the years. We catch up with Amanda Munilla, strategy lead at Wolff Olins, to get the inside track on how the global branding agency created the latest and most enduring rebrand for the rideshare company.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Gabe Kitzman, fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Bonus: Best and Worst Brand Launches with Armin Vit Mar 15, 2022

The launch tactics of a rebrand can make or break the success of the change. In this bonus episode, host Blake Howard and Brand New’s Armin Vit have a casual nerding-out as they each share their best and worst rebrand launch examples.

Brands covered in this episode:

London 2012 Olympics by Wolf Ollins
Block 2022 done in-house
MailChimp 2017 by Collins
Kia 2021 by Blackspace
Iceland Football Team 2020 by Brandenberg
AirBNB 2014 by DesignStudio
Staples 2019
Comcast 2012
City of Florence 2022 by Tatum Design
Toyoko 2020 Olympics
Gap 2010 by Laird and Partners
Best Buy 2018 done inhouse

For more on Armin Vit visit: https://www.underconsideration.com/ or https://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/
To see the changes of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), edited by Gabe Kitzman , and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Sweetgreen with Tom Wilder and Sanuk Kim Dec 14, 2021

In the final episode of Season 2, we learn how Sweetgreen, a brand raising the bar on fast to-go and good to eat food, found a way to keep it real with a reimagined brand identity. COLLINS Creative Director - now turned Sweetgreen Executive Creative Director, Tom Wilder - and COLLINS Senior Designer, Sanuk Kim, give us the recipe for what led to one of the best new identities to debut in 2021.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Matt Owen , fact-checked by Jill Jeffries, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Carnegie Hall with Jennifer Kinon Dec 07, 2021

Carnegie Hall, the renowned 130-year-old music venue and pride of New York City, conducted a brand refresh in early 2020. All was going seemingly well until the pandemic stole the spotlight and shuttered the Hall’s doors for nearly 12 months. Jennifer Kinon, co-founder of Champions Design, gives us a look behind the curtain on their resilient and thoughtful process.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Matt Owen , fact-checked by Jill Jefferies, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Rachel Jackson.

Tripadvisor with Matt Van Leeuwen Nov 16, 2021

Just like traveling, the creative process can be an adventure where not every journey is the same. Tripadvisor's 2020 refresh is no exception, and Matt van Leeuwen of Mother Design serves as our tour guide for this Change of Brand that veered off the beaten path. Matt led the work, which had plenty of twists and turns but ultimately resulted in a delightful update to TripAdvisor's dated, 20-year-old brand.

To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Credits: Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Matt Owen , fact-checked by Jill Jefferies, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Maliq Faulks and Rachel Jackson.

Kia with Michael Keller Nov 09, 2021

How can a brand go from bargain to beauty? In this episode, Michael Keller of Blackspace, gives us a look under the hood of the recent KIA rebrand and how his work redefined what it means to be an automobile manufacturer of the future.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Credits: Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Matt Owen , fact-checked by Jill Jefferies, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Maliq Faulks.

Spindrift with Colony Oct 26, 2021

Today Spindrift is one of the largest independent sparkling water brands, but in 2016 that wasn’t so. How did they break away and grow beyond niche specialty stores? Adam Renfree and Adam Nathanson, founders of brand design firm Colony, led the work and share how their packaging redesign helped crack open new opportunities for the beverage brand.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Credits: Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, edited by Matt Owen , fact-checked by Jill Jefferies, co-written by Pamela Henman, and artwork by Maliq Faulks.

Pearl Milling Opinion Oct 19, 2021

In 2021, after more than a decade, Pepsi Co and Quaker Oats announced their leading pancake brand, Aunt Jemima, would become Pearl Milling. In this episode we hear from sociologist and professor, Dr. James Bowie, and naming expert, Mark Speece, to get their opinion on the rebrand and the larger forces at play for renaming a brand based on a racist stereotype.
Dr. Bowie's research and writing: www.emblemetric.com
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Credits: Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, fact-checked by Jill Jefferies, co-written by Pamela Henman, art work by Rachel Jackson, and edited by Matt Owen

Starbucks with Connie Birdsall Oct 12, 2021

Dropping a name from your logo is a tall order. In 2011, Starbucks did just that. Some found it too strong while others felt it was just right. Connie Birdsdall, senior partner and Global Creative Director at Lippincott, led the work and gives us an unfiltered account of the strategy, process, and how it all unfolded.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Credits: Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, fact-checked by Jill Jefferies, co-written by Pamela Henman and edited by Matt Owen

Fiverr with James Greenfield Oct 05, 2021

When Fiverr, one of the world's largest freelance marketplaces, spent more than a fiver on their own rebrand, it raised many eyebrows. James Greenfield of Koto gives us the behind-the-scenes take on the ethics behind the decision to accept the project, the creative process, and how they handled the backlash.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Credits: Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, fact-checked by Jill Jefferies, co-written by Pamela Henman and edited by Matt Owen

Mastercard with Michael Bierut Sep 28, 2021

In 2014, Mastercard took a swipe at evolving its iconic red and yellow circles to eventually dropping its name altogether. We dig into the behind-the-scenes creative process, with Michael Bierut of Pentagram, who led the charge to see the work eventually get approved.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Credits: Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, fact-checked by Jill Jefferies, co-written by Pamela Henman and edited by Matt Owen .

Southwest with Rodney Abbot Sep 21, 2021

Southwest is a much beloved brand, but in 2014 a heart-felt rebrand process caused some turbulence inside the largest domestic air carrier. Rodney Abbot, Senior Partner at Lippincott, lead the process and gives us a first hand account.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Credits: Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Tracy Clark, fact-checked by Jill Jefferies, co-written by Pamela Henman and edited by Matt Owen

Season 2 Sneak Peak Sep 14, 2021

Get ready for a new season of A Change of Brand, starting Sept. 21st.
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We continue to go deeper than color palettes and typography, to unpack first-hand accounts of change stories of much-loved consumer brands. This season we have episodes on classic rebrands, like Starbucks (2011), Southwest (2014), and Mastercard (2016). We've also thrown in the mix a few recent stories, like Fiverr (2020), Pearl Milling (2020), and more! Regardless of fame or fail, our mission is to retell these stories to educate and inspire those facing a change of brand.

Burger King with Lisa Smith Mar 16, 2021

Burger King woke everyone out of a food coma when it revealed a delightfully retro rebrand in January 2021. But did the fast food giant make a whopping branding mistake that may not be so obvious? For more on this change of brand, we got the secret sauce from Lisa Smith, Executive Creative Director at Jones Knowles Richie, the creative firm behind BK's rebrand that was two years in the making.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Credits: Produced by Matchstic (matchstic.com / @matchstichouse), hosted by Blake Howard, (@blakehoward), co-hosted by Sarah Gail Hughes, and edited by Matt Owen

Google with Jonathan Lee Mar 09, 2021

As one of the largest technology companies in the world, Google’s influence has no limits. Their 2015 rebrand launch was a massive, carefully detailed effort to orchestrate a rollout of over 10,000 branded assets with the flip of a switch. In this week’s episode, we catch a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes muscle for this mighty change as we talk to Jonathan Lee, one of the in-house designers leading the effort.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic, matchstic.com / @matchstichouse (Instagram)
Hosted by Blake Howard, @blakehoward (Instagram)
Co-hosted by Sarah Gail Hughes
Edited by Matt Owen

Loom with Stewart Scott-Curran Mar 02, 2021

Loom is a video messaging service that makes collaboration happen when in-person interactions are hard to come by. The company's 2020 rebrand is notable for being one of the most transparent processes ever, with an updated identity for all the world to see, literally. For more on this change of brand, we got the inside story from Stewart Scott-Curran, senior director of brand at Loom.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.

Produced by Matchstic, matchstic.com / @matchstichouse (Instagram)
Hosted by Blake Howard, @blakehoward (Instagram)
Co-hosted by Sarah Gail Hughes
Edited by Matt Owen

ACLU with Martha Kang McGill Feb 23, 2021

As an organization dedicated to fighting the good fight for the people, the American Civil Liberties Union had for decades presented an image of restraint, unity, and Lady Liberty. In 2017, the nonpartisan nonprofit org shook things up with a change of brand that's brighter, bolder, and decidedly riskier. Open, a firm out of NYC, took the lead in designing the new look, and creative lead Martha Kang McGill drops by to detail what went on behind the scenes.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic, matchstic.com / @matchstichouse (Instagram)
Hosted by Blake Howard, @blakehoward (Instagram)
Co-hosted by Sarah Gail Hughes
Edited by Matt Owen

GoDaddy with Chris Rushing Feb 09, 2021

In the wild, wild west of the internet in the late 90’s and early 00’s, domain registration and hosting company GoDaddy made a name for itself as a plucky maverick. The company’s racy ads and irreverent humor might be memorable to some, but what happens when a brand matures beyond frat humor? In January 2020, GoDaddy launched a rebrand to shed it’s cheeky image and refine itself in order to reach a new focused audience. We chat with Chris Rushing, GoDaddy’s Brand Creative Director, who was heavily involved in the change of brand in partnership with agencies Lippincott and Koto.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic, matchstic.com / @matchstichouse (Instagram)
Hosted by Blake Howard, @blakehoward (Instagram)
Co-hosted by Sarah Gail Hughes
Edited by Matt Owen

Warner Bros. with Emily Oberman Feb 02, 2021

How do you evolve a 100-year-old brand that has become unbelievably iconic? In this week's episode, we get a look behind the big screen curtain with Emily Oberman of Pentagram as she retells the story of rebranding one of the big five major film studios.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic, matchstic.com / @matchstichouse (Instagram)
Hosted by Blake Howard, @blakehoward (Instagram)
Co-hosted by Sarah Gail Hughes
Edited by Matt Owen

Dropbox with Collin Whitehead Jan 26, 2021

In 2017, Dropbox turned heads with a change of brand that some would call creative, others chaotic. The file management platform's rebrand came complete with clashing colors, abstracted illustrations, and wide-ranging typography. But did this rebrand fling Dropbox too far outside of the box? Collin Whitehead, Dropbox's Director of Central Design, drops in to discuss a new identity made for designers, by designers.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic, matchstic.com / @matchstichouse (instagram)
Hosted by Blake Howard, @blakehoward (instagram)
Co-hosted by Sarah Gail Hughes
Edited by Matt Owen

Dunkin’ with Tosh Hall Jan 19, 2021

What's in a name, or a donut? In 2018, Dunkin' Donuts riled up Bostonians and traditionalists nationwide with a name change and rebrand that shifted focus from its signature breakfast staple. Tosh Hall, the Global Chief Creative Officer at Jones Knowles Ritchie, sheds light on how the firm navigated the tension and intense interest in Dunkin's change of brand.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic, matchstic.com / @matchstichouse (instagram)
Hosted by Blake Howard, @blakehoward (instagram)
Co-hosted by Sarah Gail Hughes
Edited by Matt Owen

Airbnb with Jowey Roden Jan 12, 2021

Rebranding is always a ballsy move, and some would argue Airbnb took the challenge quite literally when it revealed its refreshed look in 2014. Jowey Roden, one of the designers on the project and now Executive Creative Director of Koto, gives us an inside scoop into the process that set off an unintentional flurry of snickers, winks, and innuendos.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic, matchstic.com / @matchstichouse (instagram)
Hosted by Blake Howard, @blakehoward (instagram)
Co-hosted by Sarah Gail Hughes
Edited by Matt Owen

Mailchimp with Mark DiCristina Jan 05, 2021

Mailchimp’s 2018 rebrand, led by Collins, made headlines for brave and bold choices. In this debut episode, we interview Mailchimp’s VP of Brand Mark DiCristina to get the inside scoop on this change of brand. We cover everything from how a new look shifted the tech darling’s perception as an email-only platform, to other design concepts Mailchimp considered along the way.
To see the change of brand for yourself, visit achangeofbrand.com or follow us on Instagram @achangeofbrand.
Produced by Matchstic, matchstic.com / @matchstichouse (instagram)
Hosted by Blake Howard, @blakehoward (instagram)
Co-hosted by Sarah Gail Hughes
Edited by Matt Owen

Introducing A Change of Brand Dec 28, 2020

A Change of Brand, produced by Matchstic, is a podcast about the world’s most loved consumer companies and their rebrand glory, drama, or disaster. In this series we will go deeper than color palettes and typography, talking with brand leaders and agency creatives to retell the story behind the change. Getting into the nitty-gritty, we learn about their leading-edge work, creative process, and approach to change management. Regardless of fame or fail, our mission is to tell these stories to educate and inspire others facing a change of brand.
In Season 1, we will have first-hand accounts from major brands who have undergone headline-grabbing revamps over the past few years, including stories from Mailchimp, AirBNB, Dunkin’, Dropbox, GoDaddy, Warner Brothers and more. Be sure to subscribe and listen wherever you get podcasts.
Hosted by Blake Howard, @blakehoward (Instagram)
Co-hosted by Sarah Gail Hughes
Edited by Matt Owen

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