An American icon… gone.

Posted at November 18, 2008 // Advertising, Public relations

So, it’s final. An American icon… gone.

Today, I was forwarded the new logo for ABInbev. I couldn’t believe it. Anheuser-Busch long stood for American tradition, and the new logo seemed almost soulless in that way. Nothing American, and nothing traditional (even though the eagle stayed).

Photo credit: company website

I couldn’t understand it till I came across the MillerCoors logo. Then it clicked.

millercoors, originally uploaded by andy54321.

The beer industry is going through an evolution, and the new logos reflect that. Traditions didn’t pay the bills, and now the beer companies are looking to the future.

However, for a company such as Anheuser-Busch, it must be careful in how it handles such a transition. To have a contemporary logo is one thing, to alienate die-hard fans is quite another. So, to have a parent company that’s looking toward the future may be acceptable. However, the brands must remain undeniably American. A Bud is still a Bud, at least I hope so.