logos

Last month Tropicana debuted a clean new look to emphasize the all-natural, fresh squeezed juice. However, due to an overwhelming amount of customer outrage, the company is abandoning the changes and returning to the old packaging. Many loyal Tropicana fans were disgusted by the brand's redesigned logo — which features a glass of orange juice against a white backdrop, instead of the familiar orange with a straw poking out the side — calling it ugly, stupid, and generic-looking. According to Neil Campbell, the President of Tropicana North America, the company was unaware of its fiercely loyal consumers:

We underestimated the deep emotional bond [of the brand's original logo]. What we didn't get was the passion this very loyal small group of consumers have. That wasn't something that came out in the research. Those consumers are very important to us, so we responded.

The reaction will be quick: Tropicana plans to discontinue the redesigned packaging immediately and have the old image back on the carton by next month. The juice giant isn't the only brand to update its logo; Pepsi, Snapple, and Heinz have recently revamped their trademark images. Only time will tell if these companies fare better with consumer support than Tropicana did.

Did you notice the new Tropicana packaging? How do you feel about the controversy?

Next month, number one fast-food giant McDonald's will unveil a redesign of all its food products around the world. In what the corporation calls "the most comprehensive rollout in the brand's history," all 118 countries with McDonald's restaurants will launch new designs that advertise the chain's high-quality ingredients. The packaging, developed by UK marketing firm Boxer, draws attention to fresh ingredients and preparation: The new Big Mac box includes images of an onion, slices of cheese, a head of lettuce, and a freshly made hamburger, with the words "100 percent beef" and "all-beef patties" inscribed on the box. The containers will hit the US, UK, and Ireland first. Mary Dillon, global chief marketing officer for McDonald's said:

Our new packaging is a fresh way of sharing McDonald's food quality story with our customers. The more people know about our food, the more they'll love it.

What do you think of the new designs? I think they're refreshing, and McDonald's is counting on them to boost its reputation after it will have to break the news to consumers about switching its Double Cheeseburger to a McDouble burger with only one slice of cheese. Do you think the redesign will cast McDonald's in a more health-positive light?

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This morning Starbucks had their "venti" announcement, and I don't know about you guys, but I was a bit bored underwhelmed. I know they're trying everything they can think of to turn things back around, but a huge cryptic press release for 30 minutes of free coffee? That's right from 9-9:30 a.m. PDT (12-12:30 p.m. EDT) they were giving out free samples of their new Pike Place Roast. It's their new everyday coffee and is — according to several folks who tried it — smoother and less burnt tasting than normal. If you missed out there will be sampling vans roaming the country over the next few months, alternatively, you could just go in and try it for yourself.
In addition to their new blend, there were actually a few more notable changes. Most significantly is the logo. The green encircled two-tailed mermaid — OK, how come I never noticed it was a two-tailed mermaid? — has been replaced with the old-school two-tailed mermaid logo — which I might add, has way more boobage going on — and the words "Fresh Roasted" also appear.

They have also finally added some perks for folks with a Starbucks Card. If you have a prepaid Starbucks card you should be able to get syrup and milk options for free, free refills of brewed coffee, and a complimentary tall beverage when you purchase whole beans. It's not a full rewards program, but it is more than you got before.

So tell me, do you think these changes are going to help Starbucks out? Or are you just sick of hearing about all the changes?