Splice Today: a lesson for Aol.

I remember seeing an idea similar to Aol.s logo a while back, but that actually works. The reason: there's a strong, well thought out idea behind it. Unlike Aol. who don't really seem to have a message or basically any reason at all for their shifting logotyp, Post Typography have created a user-generated logo for Splice Today that the readers themselves can be a part of. They explain it like this:

Rather than a single logo, the emerging web magazine Splice Today has a constantly growing database of logos that are drawn and submitted by the website's users. Making the most of Splice's online format and forward-thinking editorial stance, this flexible identity system lives on the web without the typical constraints of print publications.


And that makes all the difference. Because it's so easy to see right through an idea with out any substance, we're not that easily fooled.

AOL to aol. We don't buy it.

AOL has rebranded themselves as Aol. and have unfortunately failed miserably, again and again. Looking at their Brand Identity sneak preview video really explains where it all went wrong: "Hey look at this crazy stuff. Paint's flying in the air, people are rocking out! Look how hip and cool we are. Yeah!" This new ever-changing logo just makes me feel like AOL (oh sorry, Aol.) is a company that is so unsure of themselves that they thought this would be a safe bet that would appeal to everyone. Nice try.

To Three, or not to Three.

I have a conundrum.
I’ve been a Three customer since they first came to Sweden about 6 years ago. I keep renewing my contract because I really like Three; they have reasonable prices, the latest mobiles and a kick-ass customer service.
The thing is: most of the time, they suck! The memory card in my phone often slips out, they always have the most annoying, bizarre adverts:


now and then I can’t get any reception on my phone for no apparent reason and finally, I’ve been living in an apartment for about a year now and not once(!) been able to use my mobile internet. This is of course unacceptable. I can’t get any reception on my internet (or phone for that matter) anywhere in the flat and although Three have tried to be very helpful in getting this solved there just doesn’t seem to be any solution. And since I have an 18 month contract my only other choice is to pay the rest of my upcoming bills in one go (about 1400 kr) and end my contract.
So I guess the question is: why do I stick with Three all these years even though they are truly inferior to several other brands. Well I guess I’m just used to them. It’s probably for the same reasons why I would never choose Milko over Arla, Tropicana before Godmorgon or god forbid Findus instead of Heinz. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you: branding.