Opinion BY Armin

M Opposite W

Established in 1997 McCann Worldgroup is the parent company of eight businesses, including the well-known, global advertising agency McCann Erickson — in turn well known for acquiring Sterling Cooper in 1963 — and brand agency Futurebrand. McCann Worldgroup is owned by giant Interpublic Group. At the beginning of the year McCann Worldgroup announced the launch of a new identity, designed by Futurebrand, and it has been gradually rolling out this year.

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Opinion BY Armin

McKinney

Logo and identity system by Studio MPLS for powerhouse ad agency McKinney. More applications at the link above.

BY Joe Marianek

The Most Dangerous Elephant, Ever

The elephant—a symbol of the Republican Party dating back to Thomas Nast’s cartoon in Harper’s Weekly in 1874—has long been thought to be both “strong and dignified.” While these words have not always described the Grand Old Party itself, they do well apply to the old and familiar elephant symbol, with its simple red and blue graphic forms and three patriotic stars. The new Republican National Convention logo has pushed the immobile elephant in a less cute direction, now looking something like Babar’s evil and dumb cousin who ate wild mushrooms; it’s breaking free of the circus ring in order to bludgeon the crowd. Simplicity has been cast aside with the new agressive stripes, flailing limbs, a curly trunk, and pointy tusks. A terrifyingly patriotic and angry eye stares at the indoctrinated far right, and threatens the majority of the United States (also the world) with a circus of policies we can’t even imagine. Just like the party it symbolizes—the symbol is both unwieldy and frightening—”strong and dignified” no more.

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BY David Weinberger

Ceci n’est pas une abacus

An abacus is an ancient calculator of sorts. Maybe ancient is too old of a word since many cultures still use abaci today. Although they vary from culture to culture most have beads suspended on metal rods in a frame.

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