NOTE: This is an archived version of the first incarnation of Brand New. All posts have been closed to comments. Please visit underconsideration.com/brandnew for the latest version. If you would like to see this specific post, simply delete _v1 from the URL.
Update, 06.18.2008: It has been brought to my attention that The Spalding Group’s McCainStore.com “is not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee,” and that the merchandise sold is representative of their own version of Sen. John McCain’s campaign logo (and not the official one). I had received an e-mail announcing the new store the day after John McCain’s interview on ABC, and I made the assumption (in part based on a visit to the company web site) that the campaign had indeed updated its brand. I apologize for any confusion that this may have caused.
— Ryan Hembree
Now that the dust has settled on the Democratic Presidential Primaries, the general election for the office of President of the United States has finally begun. Senator Barack Obama, with his populist message of hope and change for America, will challenge Republican senator John McCain for America’s vote. Between now and November, signs, banners and billboards will proliferate across the land, from shop windows to front lawns, pitting neighbors, families and friends against one another as politics take center stage.
In terms of branding, Obama has a clear advantage over McCain. His iconic “sunrise within an O” mark is symbolic of hope and the dawn of a new day in politics. Until recently, McCain’s brand, while more conservative in execution, was very appropriate to the candidate’s background, drawing inspiration from a naval officer’s uniform. McCain himself admitted during a recent interview with Charlie Gibson on ABC’s World News Tonight that he has a “brand issue” to contend with and, because of it, is clearly the underdog.
In response to this admission, the McCain campaign has launched a new identity, one that we can assume is meant to help improve his image with younger voters and Independents, two demographics that will make a difference in this year’s election. One of the biggest issues each candidate is campaigning for or against is the war in Iraq, which has become quite unpopular among constituents. It seems that McCain’s new brand is meant to downplay the aspects of his military background, as well as the idea that he would continue the “war mongering” policies of President Bush.
Motivation for the brand revision aside, it is interesting to note the differences between the graphic qualities of the old and new brand that make it, in my opinion, more generic and much less effective for the candidate. The new McCain identity was developed by The Spalding Group, a firm that has designed campaign identities for the past six Republican presidential candidates. As such, it falls back on the conventions of “politics as usual” by incorporating a single, flattened star with drop shadow as the brand’s logomark (not a very unique solution). This star appears in varying sizes depending on application, sometimes overshadowing the candidate’s name, and contrasts with the old, dimensional star that looked as if it came right off of a general’s uniform.
Eurostile is used as the logotype (along with a fake small cap for the “Mc”), apparently to make it look more progressive or innovative — and, as designers know, Optima is not a popular choice. And while the white and yellow on a color background color scheme has been maintained, it is not used in all applications, falling victim to the patriotic red, white, and blue color scheme preferred by every politician running for elected office.
Will this new, “improved” campaign identity for John McCain help him connect with the younger, more sophisticated voters that he needs to win the White House this November? Or will this new brand that downplays his military background and conservatism be seen as an attempt to manipulate voters? Only time will tell.
Jump to Most Recent Comment
Joey Pfeifer’s comment is:
I'm not a fan of the old logo, but it sure is better than the new one. The old logo appealed to an older, more conservative base. It was reassuring and calm. This new look seems more appropriate for a new brand of shoes, not a presidential campaign.
On Jun.18.2008 at 06:30 AM
Gm’s comment is:
I can't shake the thought that BOTH of these suck. You could drive a truck between "president" and "2008".
And whilst I've never heard nor seen this guy in any form of media, and chances are I never will, he has my severe kudos for NOT using red, white and blue.
On Jun.18.2008 at 06:50 AM
John Leschinski’s comment is:
Wow, what a major step backwards. It's hard to imagine what they were thinking with this ridiculous re-brand.
On Jun.18.2008 at 07:04 AM
Paul’s comment is:
Reminds me of a logo at the closing of an 80's cartoon. This doesn't inspire me at all.
On Jun.18.2008 at 07:24 AM
Mondayne’s comment is:
GM: What do you mean "And whilst I've never heard nor seen this guy in any form of media, and chances are I never will"?
You haven't heard of McCain? Seriously? I'd say if you haven't heard of him already, you will soon.
On Jun.18.2008 at 07:25 AM
vectr’s comment is:
Would make a good NASCAR logo.
On Jun.18.2008 at 08:09 AM
Andrew’s comment is:
It reminds me of Bush's old logo when he was running. a strong blocky sans-serif set pretty tight and at an angle. Interesting, because that's something he's trying to avoid.
It's also odd that he rebranded so close to the point where he has to pick a VP and add another name to the logo.
On Jun.18.2008 at 08:29 AM
aquariumdrinker’s comment is:
Regarding your comment about Barack's branding being better, you're right -- like Nike, Disney and the New York Yankees, he now has knockoffs to worry about.
On Jun.18.2008 at 08:29 AM
What’s comment is:
I don't know what everyone is complaining about. That must have taken a full 30 minutes to do. This quality of work doesn't just happen.
On Jun.18.2008 at 08:42 AM
Bart O'Dell’s comment is:
Republicans are going to need more than a new shiny logo.
Obama '08
On Jun.18.2008 at 09:13 AM
john’s comment is:
I had no idea there were agencies out there that specialized in political campaigns. Who knew?
I didn't find the "Optima" logo bad, offensive or inappropriate. This new one, however, is blindingly derivative and wholly uninspiring. For a guy who has a strong military background and is rightly praised as an American hero for his service in Vietnam, I really, really, REALLY have to question the use of yellow a primary indentifing color. As in, yellow is for cowards. Kudos indeed for staying away from red white and blue palette, but holy smokes, could there be a more misadvised color choice out there?
On Jun.18.2008 at 09:14 AM
dbrenton’s comment is:
Being a Republican (i'm sure that's a bad word here)...my first reaction to all the republican candidate logos was disappointment. Obama had such a great logo out of the gate. I was furious. But the McCain look grew on me (like a fungus). Optima is an okay font but not very strong...and the star was weak but after seeing it so many times it grew on me. That font & star became JOHN MCCAIN's identity. This new look is kinda plain. I guess the font is okay but the star is so boring.
I'd like to see a challenge on this post to see who can come up with a MUCH better McCain logo. Something creative with meaning, like Obama's amazing mark. Once again, I am a republican, and i am in no way stroking Obama. But I can admit good design when i see it and put personal feelings aside.
(I can only hope that Mitt Romney will have a better logo in 2012...haha...obviously that's what it takes to win.)
On Jun.18.2008 at 09:17 AM
felix sockwell’s comment is:
I think this is a good move for McCain.
Its stronger. More progressive. Not unlike Hillary's campaign, this redesign/ messaging makeover tactic is a prime example of the bait and switch routine he is running on. He won't win. If he does I'll see you in Toronto.
On Jun.18.2008 at 09:23 AM
Chad K’s comment is:
This is terrible. It is not very sophisticated or unique. And, for some reason, it seems like it belongs next to this:
I guess, if he was trying to target a younger or more blue-collar demographic, it is successful.
On Jun.18.2008 at 09:26 AM
jompydoodle’s comment is:
twoeightnine’s comment is:
Vroom, vroom, vrrrrroooooooooommmmm.
kj’s comment is:
What I find interesting about the new look is that it doesn't incorporate a red/white/blue color scheme. I can't think of any campaign logo in my lifetime that hasn't been in those colors.
On Jun.18.2008 at 09:40 AM
Minder S.’s comment is:
I don't know if having a black background is a smart choice for McCain. Hell, Obama is only half black! (sorry, I couldn't resist). But seriously, that new logo looks like McCain is poised to lead us further into the darkness like we're in a Cormac McCarthy novel or something.
On Jun.18.2008 at 09:46 AM
Deadly Tango’s comment is:
Colorwise, the new logo looks like a West Point prank ... black and gold are Army's athletic colors, while Navy (McCain's alma mater) uses blue and gold.
On Jun.18.2008 at 09:49 AM
Ty’s comment is:
I don't understand why the star is scaled and obstructed. I feel like that ruins the whole logo. A simple, regular star would have worked much better.
On Jun.18.2008 at 09:59 AM
Greg Hoy’s comment is:
The old logo always bothered me. We worked on the website for thomson.com (now Thomson Reuters), and it always looked like a rip of their old logo
On Jun.18.2008 at 10:03 AM
John Muir’s comment is:
Hopefully he'll dump it once he has a running mate's name to have to contend with. The old one was better.
Shame that Arnie is ineligible to run. I've always thought that SCHWARZENEGGER would make a great 2nd line name, necessarily set in a smaller pitch!
On Jun.18.2008 at 10:09 AM
dbrenton’s comment is:
I can't find anything that uses this new logo. McCain's site doesn't use it. Where did you find this?
On Jun.18.2008 at 10:11 AM
Brad’s comment is:
Looks a little like a logo design 101 project if you ask me. I liked the optima much better - don't know what designers are complaining about. It was dignified yet modern - very fitting for a maverick but conservative politician.
On Jun.18.2008 at 10:12 AM
Ryan Hembree’s comment is:
Author Note: If you look at the McCain web site, he is still using the old, Optima logo. But the "official" Spalding Group store selling his merchandise has this new logo on it. Overall very confusing...
On Jun.18.2008 at 10:14 AM
Doug’s comment is:
So much for disassociating with his military background. The first two things I thought of after seeing McCain's new brand:
Logo Snob’s comment is:
I'm with Gm - we are awfully tired of every campaign logo being some variation of red, white and blue. So from that standpoint, we're glad McCain has made a departure from that. However, black is not the color we would have chosen - it looks too ominous and heavy.
I also agree that the logo isn't going to make a discernible difference to the outcome of the election - people aren't voting based on the logo. He shouldn't hide from his military record, its the main thing he has going for him. That is the McCain brand, embrace it and let the chips fall where they may.
And its a serious tactical error that they removed the URL, especially given they're shooting for the youth vote. Dumb, dumb, dumb.
On Jun.18.2008 at 10:33 AM
Kristen’s comment is:
Seems to me like someone in the McCain campaign is seeing the appeal of Obama's branding:
Joe’s comment is:
Just awful! The colors are so severe, they create a feeling of aggression and opposition.
What are the ideas a candidate wants to express? Strength, sure, but also intelligence, likability, empathy, vision... does this logo bring any of these ideas to mind? This logo says, "McCain is a badass, and he will crush you to get what he wants."
On Jun.18.2008 at 10:36 AM
Tim Morgan’s comment is:
And as for the Yellow star, isn't that the major symbol on the Vietnamese flag? I would think they would want to downplay the whole "Manchurian Candidate" thing.
On Jun.18.2008 at 10:38 AM
Paul Lloyd Johnson’s comment is:
This new logo is young and contemporary. However, McCain is 71. There's only so much branding can do. Mutton dressed as lamb if you ask me.
On Jun.18.2008 at 10:40 AM
marko savic’s comment is:
I feel like he's trying to look more modern / technologically literate than mid-century with this one. However, it's hideous and makes me want french fries. I can't think of anything to like about it, other than it will help him lose.
Whaleroot’s comment is:
Has anyone looked at The Spalding Group? They're terrible! Absolutely terrible. Even with no work samples on their site you can still tell they create nothing but shit.
On that note, this logo just shows that McCain is oblivious. Oblivious to people's needs and wants with economic and political policy and oblivious to good design.
Oblivious! Oblivious!
On Jun.18.2008 at 10:44 AM
Glenn ’s comment is:
We could be in Iraq for the next 100 years and that would be okay? Bomb Iran?
The color chosen is fittingly black – like the man's heart.
On Jun.18.2008 at 10:48 AM
marko savic’s comment is:
Dustin’s comment is:
Yeah, the new branding blows, but I find it funny people are finding parallels between the colors used and the candidate himself. Even funnier—most of them come from people supporting a man who's two biggest accomplishments while serving in the Senate are 1.) becoming a millionaire, and 2.) running for president. Best of luck with that, comrades.
And the guy who mentioned Toronto? Don't wait. I'll help you pack your bags.
On Jun.18.2008 at 11:03 AM
Ben’s comment is:
valid comment dustin.
interesting that peoples views of the man & his mark are so intertwined.
as far as the design - it's kinda sad that a design of this standard would be presented at such an important level, especially when looking at the thought and skill put into the competition, which was designed to look good on digital media as well as print, this new McCain logo looks like it was only meant to be easily put onto a cap or coffee mug and no further. sad, sad.
dk’s comment is:
Darth McCain & yes looks like the U.S army stuff... before you know it, Godsmack will be playing in his TV spots
I give him props for running black, but he is still a muppet!
On Jun.18.2008 at 11:22 AM
Adam’s comment is:
In what way does this distance him from his military background? The old one was fairly weak while mildly official, this one I a full one merger with the U.S. Army and the oh so horribly effective italic Bush logo!
Doug has it spot on. The Armies recent yellow color-scheme and star logo have been pressed down many a throat of late night TV watchers (especially adult swim.) For young voters (tv-watching layabouts like myself), this correlation is probably the strongest military association he could choose.
Not a great call, but still better than his last one in my opinion. He moved from a logo that feels old and conservative to one that screams Bush touting war monger. When you think about it, they are both pretty darn appropriate... maybe he should just mix em in a pot!
On Jun.18.2008 at 11:22 AM
Ty’s comment is:
Anonymous’s comment is:
Changing the visual branding at this point in the game seems silly, even if the old look wasn't exactly cutting edge.
I'd have gone with a tweaking, improving the letterspacing and replacing the old blue with something sharper, maybe navy blue. I'd also have kept the web address rather than wasting precious real estate trying to explain that McCain is running for President.
On Jun.18.2008 at 11:25 AM
Adam Western’s comment is:
It says something about politics when voters can be more easily persuaded by a logo and catchy tag line than substance or reason.
On Jun.18.2008 at 11:34 AM
Whaleroot’s comment is:
dk –
Godsmack? Are they even a band anymore? ;)
On Jun.18.2008 at 11:49 AM
Andy B.’s comment is:
Obama's branding is better because that is much of what he is: a product.
As for McCain's logo, the older seems more professional (except when it was on a green background recently) while the new one just does not look professional enough for president. There are some local people running with better graphic identities than McCain's new one.
On Jun.18.2008 at 12:03 PM
eric’s comment is:
to the commenter who mentioned that yellow is the color of cowardice-- it is also the color of the ribbon tied around the old oak tree in the classic song. In that sense, it's highly appropriate.
On Jun.18.2008 at 12:07 PM
Andrew’s comment is:
Are we jumping the gun on the fact that this is really the new logo or do you have some kind of confirmation? The only place I've seen it is the Spalding Group website and I can't find a single news story or mention of a new brand outside of this site.
On Jun.18.2008 at 12:10 PM
Nicholas Skyles’s comment is:
Oh dear Lord,
I went to the McCain Store and saw the rip-off job they are doing on the (red) campaign. I think I just threw up in my mouth.
On Jun.18.2008 at 12:16 PM
Darrin Crescenzi’s comment is:
@ Adam Western
The way I look at it, there's far worse sins than choosing a candidate based off the quality of their branding.
Perhaps it’s just the designer in me, but I do now and will always equate the ability to select a powerful, communicative and appropriate visual identity with integrity, authenticity and commitment to a set of ideals.
Why? Becase when entities — be it corporations, organizations, individuals or otherwise — try to use their logos to tell lies and mislead their audience, it is brutally transparent. And when they opt for bland, safe solutions devoid of connotation (as we are seeing here with Senator McCain), you know they are either hiding something, are unconfident or just plain don’t understand themselves well enough to make an informed decision on how they are represented.
Obama's identity communicates a clear set of ideals, ideals which his speeches and policies appear to re-enforce on a daily basis. There's consistency in his messaging, and even if you don't agree with all of his rhetoric, you have to admit that it's very convincing.
On Jun.18.2008 at 12:23 PM
Paul Riehle’s comment is:
I guess hes trying to look "younger and cool" its not working
On Jun.18.2008 at 12:26 PM
Mark’s comment is:
my first reaction was:
oh man,
nononononononononononononononononononononononoNO!!!
I mean sheesh I wasn't going to be voting for this guy, but the previous logo much more appropraiate for him, how is changing this logo to a genaric looking one going to help him?
WTF?
Ugh. it looks like it came straight out of 1991.
On Jun.18.2008 at 12:33 PM
Mark’s comment is:
my first reaction was:
oh man,
nononononononononononononononononononononononoNO!!!
I mean sheesh I wasn't going to be voting for this guy, but the previous logo much more appropriate for him, how is changing this logo to a generic looking one going to help him?
WTF?
Ugh. it looks like it came straight out of 1991.
(the previous one had typos I fixed it now.)
On Jun.18.2008 at 12:34 PM
Mark’s comment is:
my first reaction was:
oh man,
nononononononononononononononononononononononoNO!!!
I mean sheesh I wasn't going to be voting for this guy, but the previous logo was much more appropriate for him, how is changing this logo to a generic looking one going to help him?
WTF?
Ugh. it looks like it came straight out of 1991.
(the previous one had typos and I forgot to insert a word I fixed it now.)
(I have got to look at my responses more closely before just posting them.)
On Jun.18.2008 at 12:38 PM
Tony’s comment is:
@Ryan,
From the footer of the Spalding site:
On Jun.18.2008 at 01:00 PMMcCainStore.com is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Alexander Charner’s comment is:
Even his logo would change everything about itself to appeal to the fringe. The visual embodyment of a flip flop.
On Jun.18.2008 at 01:30 PM
Andrew’s comment is:
McCrap
On Jun.18.2008 at 01:35 PM
Nic B.’s comment is:
Um, does it remind anyone else of a severe bastardization of the 84 Olympics mark?
On Jun.18.2008 at 01:49 PM
dbrenton’s comment is:
NOT THE NEW McCAIN LOGO....look at Tony's Comment.
From the footer of the Spalding site:
McCainStore.com is not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
Nate’s comment is:
Honestly, my first thought was - I've seen that on a phone book! - McLeod USA
The star, the italics, (the Mc)... Obviously the font is wrong, and the subtext isn't italicized, but it evokes the same feeling.
On Jun.18.2008 at 01:59 PM
ScottS’s comment is:
The whole thing is a mess: Eurostile over Optima? The star looks weird. And the colors are aggressive. I think analyzing the candidates' campaign logos is every bit as justified as analyzing the men and their positions. That said, I don't think either one is right for the job. Obama's logo of "hope and change" can hardly be hailed as a masterpiece either.
On Jun.18.2008 at 02:27 PM
stock_illustration’s comment is:
"Senator Barack Obama, with his populist message of hope and change for America, will challenge Republican senator John McCain for America's vote."
Senator John McCain, with his populist platform of national security and energy independence for America, will challenge Democrat senator Barack Obama for America's vote.
Just an exercise.
On Jun.18.2008 at 02:39 PM
Lasse Rintakumpu’s comment is:
And I, stranded here on the other side of Atlantic, was hoping these elections would be about issues...
On Jun.18.2008 at 02:44 PM
Ryan Hembree’s comment is:
AUTHOR NOTE: (again). Apparently The Spalding Group is selling merchandise to help promote Sen. John McCain and meet the demand of their customers, and thus created their own version of the logo. Thanks to those who have pointed this fact out, and sorry about the false alarm— at the time of this writing I was led to believe that this was the "new" brand...next time I will be sure to check all of my facts. I am actually quite relieved that this is NOT the new logo, because I do like the old one much better (even with Optima).
On Jun.18.2008 at 02:52 PM
Jersey Todd’s comment is:
I'm not much of a design person, but did anyone notice that the colors used are the same as the US Army recruiting posters (black and yellow)?
Ironic.
On Jun.18.2008 at 02:52 PM
Yeison Agudelo’s comment is:
one day as i was watching the news i looked at the logo and i actually didnt hate it
it was simple but it worked this one one is ridiculous
john’s comment is:
We could be in Iraq for the next 100 years and that would be okay? Bomb Iran?
The color chosen is fittingly black – like the man's heart.
One would hope we could get through an entire comment board without any partisan bullshit. Good lord, get a grip.
On Jun.18.2008 at 02:56 PM
Anonymous’s comment is:
If the the campaign strategy was to look like a military tyrant, then they totally got this right. How did this happen? What a huge step in the wrong direction.
On Jun.18.2008 at 03:10 PM
john’s comment is:
If the the campaign strategy was to look like a military tyrant, then they totally got this right.
I repeat: get a grip.
On Jun.18.2008 at 03:14 PM
WORK’s comment is:
McCain looks like he is going to war, and Obama looks like he is over the war and moving on to rebuild and define the future.
On Jun.18.2008 at 03:26 PM
Ampersanderson’s comment is:
It's working class...
...only worse
On Jun.18.2008 at 03:33 PM
Anonymous’s comment is:
@ Darrin Crescenzi
I would agree that Barack Obama's rhetoric matches his logo in its vague idealism.
No one will argue with an ideal like hope which is why it's a risk-free message. The risk is introduced when outlining a strategy to implement this ideal in a real world.
People don't tend to differ on ideals, but on strategies.
Few people will argue with the notion that compassion should be shown to the poor, but most contend that it should be shown with someone else's money.
On Jun.18.2008 at 03:48 PM
Wünderwoman’s comment is:
I love the feedback on this one. The comments are hilarious!(Love the GI Joe/US Army reference...you nailed it!)
As for the quality of the mark, well...I agree with the McCrap comment. LOL
On Jun.18.2008 at 03:56 PM
Hibryd’s comment is:
So... how does that work exactly? The Spalding group is selling the merchandise, using McCain's name, so what money do they turn over to him, if anything? How does this work with campaign finance laws? (If you buy official merch, I'm pretty sure it counts towards your donation total.)
I've been seeing a lot of Obama merchandise that clearly did not come out of the Obama camp. That seems like the worst kind of opportunistic rip-off.
On Jun.18.2008 at 04:42 PM
Darrin Crescenzi’s comment is:
@ Hibryd:
I think it's one of those fuzzy grey-areas in Amerian copyright law, where you can legally make money off of the likness of a public figure without their permission. It's the same reason you can buy shirts with Christopher Walken's face on them at Urban Outfitters.
My copyright law is a little rusty, and I'm certainly not a lawyer, but it probably goes back to the whole Larry Flynt vs. Jerry Falwell ruling… once you're famous enough, you sort of lose ownership of your name and likeness.
Somebody please correct me if I'm wrong!
@Anonymous:
I wasn't trying to make a point about the veracity of Senator Obama's policy, but rather the consistancy of his message across all forms of media, the lack of said messaging in what we thought was Senator McCain's new logo, and what we may be able to infer about a candidate based on their visual identity.
This is a blog about branding, not about political discourse.
On Jun.18.2008 at 05:02 PM
arnoldp’s comment is:
8 more years of crazy war. That is what that logo promises.
On Jun.18.2008 at 05:09 PM
arnoldp’s comment is:
And I am not talking about politics only. That logo looks and feels authoritarian, aggressive and too close to the army logo.
On Jun.18.2008 at 05:12 PM
David B.’s comment is:
If the election was for best identity system and website, Obama would be president for the next 8 years. I really think its the best of its kind in recent memory. It looks like they actually hired real designers, and not just the political specialists that commonly create these things.
Look at McCain's website (if you dare!) and you'll see his old ID still in place...
On Jun.18.2008 at 05:40 PM
Mark’s comment is:
stop. stop. stop.
It has been clearly established that this is not the new logo, so please stop acting like it is.
From now on it should be considered hypothetical until there is actual evidence that the logo has been changed.
On second thought having two differnt logos for the same guy doesn't help. ugh.
On Jun.18.2008 at 07:17 PM
Mark’s comment is:
stop. stop. stop.
It has been clearly established that this is not the new logo, so please stop acting like it is.
From now on it should be considered hypothetical until there is actual evidence that the logo has been changed.
On second thought having two different logos for the same guy doesn't help. ugh.
On Jun.18.2008 at 07:18 PM
Gm’s comment is:
Hey Mondayne
Of course I've heard OF him. But why would I have ever seen him, heard him, care what he stands for etc? I live in Brisbane, I don't watch TV, I don't give two hoots, and you're not seriously trying to tell me he has a snowball's in hell in the up coming election, about which I have a similar level of interest?
And last but not least, I do believe we've met -- I was starting at QCA when you were just finishing up. Small world eh?
On Jun.18.2008 at 09:16 PM
evh’s comment is:
A note to clear up a misconception:
"Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee" really doesn't mean as much as you might think, and it certainly does not necessarily refer to the logo itself. The same disclaimer is on MoveOn.org bumperstickers with Obama's actual logo on them. Mostly it means that the material itself was not manufactured, distributed, or paid for in coordination with the McCain campaign.
The Federal Election Act is long and boring - and I'm the first to admit I don't know that much of it - but the punchline is this: we really don't know if this is a new brand or not. The fact that this stuff is coming from such an established GOP design group leads me to believe that it might be; I don't think they'd go for a few cheap bucks with a knock-off campaign store.
Time will tell. I always wondered how they would add a VP's name to the first logo, anyway.
On Jun.19.2008 at 12:38 AM
Daniel Campos’s comment is:
Obama's logo is the best. too much better than tha McCain's logo.
On Jun.19.2008 at 08:56 AM
Ryan’s comment is:
In my opinion, the store selling the "unauthorized" merchandise for John McCain is being a bit deceptive, in that people will go to "McCainstore.com" thinking that they are buying product that McCain has authorized and approved of. This only confuses and dilutes his brand image. I don't care that it is listed in fine print at the bottom of the site...if the author can mistake the "unauthorized" brand logo as McCain's, then how many other people can?
On Jun.19.2008 at 09:08 AM
Joe Guzman’s comment is:
The ties to french fries... the army colors... the Eurostyle. Man, does his campaign ever want him to lose.
This is more appropriate for him IMHO:
There's nothing a little istockphoto and Knockout can't fix.
"Bomb, bomb, bomb. Bomb. Bomb Iran"
- John McCain
orangetiki’s comment is:
Bank Gothic. Font of the secretary turned designer.
On Jun.19.2008 at 04:41 PM
arthur barbato’s comment is:
I agree with the comment about color choices 100%.
Blue and Gold together are imperial and regal(see: 777 by A. Crowley).
Prescott Perez-Fox’s comment is:
Surprised no one has made this connection: the colour scheme is an appropriate choice for McCain because the uniforms of naval officers are black and gold (at least in Winter):
While the roots may be valid, the choice to use them for a campaign is dubious. He's not running for Admiral, after all. I don't know what he's thinking here, the star is terrible, the type is lame, etc. etc. You've all covered that.
On Jun.22.2008 at 11:21 AM
Neuehaus’s comment is:
Ha ha, great comments everybody, super funny, thanks. I'm going to bookmark this over at the Neuehaus:
On Jun.23.2008 at 01:44 PM
Andrew’s comment is:
McCain Chicken Dinner, now with peach cobbler dessert.
On Jun.27.2008 at 09:13 AM
Meredith’s comment is:
Did the Spalding Group also do McCain's old brand logo, or was it done by another firm?
On Sep.09.2008 at 12:00 PM
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