What do you see when you hear the word Pepsi? CNN asks, “If someone were to ask you to draw the Pepsi logo from memory, what would you draw? A circle, perhaps, with the red, white and blue stripes that are emblematic of the brand. The word ‘Pepsi, probably, in that globe.”
The news channel explains why this is a big deal: “When PepsiCo walks people through this exercise, as it sometimes does, that’s what most do: They put the word “Pepsi” in the circle. But that’s not how the current logo actually looks. The brand name is off to the side, a bit meek next to the iconic globe. So Pepsi is making a change.
‘We couldn’t ignore that kind of insight,” Mauro Porcini, PepsiCo’s chief design officer, told CNN. “Instead of rejecting it, we decided to embrace it.’
Pepsi on Tuesday unveiled a new logo and branding that will roll out in North America this fall and globally next year. It looks a lot like the 1990s version which seems to have stuck in people’s brain, but with new elements to make it more modern, including a different font and font color and a new border. The changes are designed not only to better align with people’s recollection, but to draw attention to Pepsi’s zero sugar line — a key part of the company’s growth plan.”
They’re excited about the update.
The company released a statement saying, “Pepsi, the iconic global brand, is unveiling a new logo and visual identity system, the first update of the iconic Pepsi globe logo in 14 years. Pepsi will roll out the new look in North America this fall in time for the brand’s 125th anniversary, and globally in 2024, marking the brand’s next era with an eye toward the future. The new design evolves the Pepsi brand to represent its most unapologetic and enjoyable qualities, and will span across all physical and digital touchpoints, including packaging, fountain and cooler equipment, fleet, fashion and dining. Pepsi plays a critical role in achieving the PepsiCo Positive sustainable packaging targets and in the U.S., as of 2022, Pepsi has begun to convert all 20oz bottles of Pepsi, including Pepsi Zero Sugar to 100% recycled PET. The new logo and visual identity pays homage to the brand’s rich heritage while taking a big leap toward the future.
Throughout its storied history, Pepsi has maintained a bold challenger mindset and a strong link to pop culture. From the Pepsi Challenge and reimagining the Super Bowl Halftime Show, to creating some of the most iconic ads of all time with the world’s most renowned musicians and actors, Pepsi has always pushed culture forward to deliver one-of-a-kind fan experiences in a timely way, while simultaneously remaining iconic and timeless. Pepsi also continuously reinvents itself with brave marketing and product innovation, from creating its own television shows, exploring Web3 and introducing compelling new varieties over the years including the recent Nitro Pepsi, Pepsi x Peeps, Pepsi for SodaStream and an improved Pepsi Zero Sugar taste in the U.S. to give fans the best tasting cola in the zero-sugar category.
At its core, Pepsi is inspired by helping fans choose more moments of unapologetic enjoyment. In an increasingly digital world, the revitalized and distinct design introduces movement and animation into the visual system, unlocking more flexibility for Pepsi to move between physical and digital spaces, from retail shelves to the metaverse. It also allows for more seamless and creative collaboration with partners and retailers and more versatility to engage fans in the places they shop, dine, work and play.”
‘Pepsi is an iconic brand that is constantly evolving with the times, as it has been a staple in pop culture and disrupted the category for the past 125 years,’ said Todd Kaplan, Chief Marketing Officer – Pepsi. ‘We couldn’t be more excited to begin a new era for Pepsi, as this exciting new and modern look will drive brand distinction to show up bigger and bolder and help people find new ways to unapologetically enjoy the things they love. This new visual system brings out the best of the Pepsi brand’s rich heritage, while taking a giant leap forward to set it up for success in an increasingly digital world.'”
According to the Cleveland Plain-Dealer, Porcini said, “At PepsiCo, we design our brands to tell a compelling and holistic story. Pepsi is a shining example of a brand that has consistently reinvented itself over 125 years to remain a part of pop culture and a part of people’s lives. We designed the new brand identity to connect future generations with our brand’s heritage, marrying distinction from our history with contemporary elements to signal our bold vision for what’s to come.”
Pepsi’s new design is the first update to its logo since 2009.
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