The Old and New Logos of the YMCA

OK, so the YMCA is in the news for updating their branding and that includes a new logo. I haven’t done a logo post in a while, mostly because I’m probably the only person that enjoys such conversation but in case you find this a fun diversion, here goes:

I have not yet read (as I write this post) the branding statement that the YMCA (or more likely its design agency) has put out describing the logo. Just by the way, I’m usually uneasy about these logo “explanations”; I understand the desire to offer some text clarification to an icon but usually these descriptions sound awful poofy.

So here is my initial opinions of the new mark…I hope YOU will chime in too with your own thoughts, just for the fun of it.

* Overall, I like it better than the old mark but I never really disliked the old YMCA logo

* I would not have gone with that color combination. With me and color, if I wouldn’t normally wear colors together, I think I’d rarely put them in a logo together (especially true of a 2 color logo)

* I wonder if the branding people are going to allow/encourage changes in color of the logo to visually represent the diversity of people who use the Y. That could be a nice creative touch – it could also lead to branding nightmares but that’s not my problem 🙂

* The main stem of the Y I think was designed like the play symbol on most audio and video devices (>) to mean play, go, move forward….all reasonable ideas to include for a YMCA logo

* I’m guessing the triangle part of the Y has some heritage meaning since it was a hold over from the old logo. I’d be interested to see if my guess is right

* I think the “the” in the logo is unnecessary. I know the new branding is about just calling the organization “The Y” instead of YMCA but as the organization has noted, people already call it “The Y” and have been doing it for years

* The YMCA at the bottom of the Y is fine

Of note, I have had my very first experience with the Y only this past weekend as my oldest started taking swimming lessons there.

OK, so now let’s look at the Y’s web site and pick out some logo tidbits from their release:

* “The Y’s former logo had been in place since 1967 and was the organization’s sixth since its inception.”

* “Today, across the United States, Ys are making a difference in three key areas of focus:

* Youth Development: Nurturing the potential of every child and teen
* Healthy Living: Improving the nation’s health and well-being
* Social Responsibility: Giving back and providing support to our neighbors”
Editors Note: While it does not reference it directly, I think these three points tie into the triangle part of the logo I mentioned earlier.

* “The refreshed logo, with its multiple color options and new, contemporary look, better reflects the vibrancy of the Y and the diversity of the communities it serves. The new logo’s bold, active and welcoming shape symbolizes the Y’s commitment to personal and social progress. ”
Editors Note: Well, as far as poofy goes, that wasn’t too bad. It mentions multiple color options so I may have locked on to something there (remember my diversity comment; I grabbed some of the variations off the web site). Talks about progress, hence the forward pointing Y stem. If you’re scoring at home, I did OK on this one

Color options for the new YMCA logo

What say you?

Tags: advertising, branding, commentary, logo design, marketing by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
Comments Off on the new y

Some will think this stuff and nonsense but I have been stewing about something for while and it has truly been bugging me.

Facebook Fan Pages.

Specifically, should I have one for my voice over marketing?

I have one for the Voice Over Entrance Exam and I have my own personal Facebook page…but do I need a “Fan” page? Sheesh!

Social Media clearly has a narcissistic component to it. Rarely are you asking people on Twitter or Facebook or LinkedIn or on your blog how they are doing – more likely you are telling people who, what, when, where and how you are doing.

There is no ME in team but there sure is ME in Social Media.

Yet most of us play the game and often times enjoy it especially when there is give and take, usually always pleasant.

But I guess it’s the term Fan Page that has bothered me (I think Facebook is trying to get everyone to call it a Like Page but you’re basically asking for fans or for people to vote that they like you.)

That’s awkward to ask and seems kinda desperate in appearance when the Fan Page is about me (the e-book is a “thing” and it helps people – I have no problem with a Fan Page there).

I have joined a ton of fan pages for other people and never gave it a second thought. No, I didn’t think they were desperate at all because of their Fan Page.

But I look at myself differently. It feels like I am being egotistical if I do this Fan Page thing. The old comic line “But enough about me, what do YOU think of me?” comes to mind. Again…awkward is the word that keeps coming to mind for me.

From a business stand point, it could help me communicate with people on Facebook who are interested in my voice over business (the same reason I participate on LinkedIn and Twitter). That’s the big “Pro” in the “Pro/Con” debate that’s been raging in my cranium literally for months.

Well, ultimately that was the deciding factor for me and shamefully, I am announcing I have a Facebook Fan Page now (talk about burying the lead). Peter K. O’Connell – Male Voice Over Talent is what its called (for the SEO lovers out there). In this context, it sounds as ridiculous as “Peter K. O’Connell – Male Model” but, in for a penny, in for a pound.

We’ll have to see how long I can stomach this. I make no promises.

Thanks for listening.

Tags: audio'connell voice over talent, blogs, branding, commentary, facebook, internet, linkedin, marketing, rants, search engine marketing, social media, social networking, twitter, voice over entrance exam, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
14 Comments »

Is it the partner of sales? Is it the overlord of advertising?

Is it missing from your business? It depends on who you ask.

Tags: advertising, branding, commentary, marketing, video by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
Comments Off on what is marketing

Does this picture represent Kodak quality?

So my brother-in-law and I are strolling the grounds of the Locust Hill Country Club in Rochester, NY on Sunday enjoying the LPGA Championship there, presented by Wegmans.

A few quick notes – sadly, there are not enormous crowds respecting and enjoying the talents of these great golfers – happily, that makes it easier and more comfortable to get around. This is a MAJOR championship for Ladies Professional Golf Association (like the Masters and the PGA Championship for the men). My father-in-law and I have long agreed that the LPGA tournaments are some of the most enjoyable because of the the access and quality of golf guests experience. Also of note, most of the good merchandise is sold out by Sunday at these tournaments.

But now on to Kodak.

So Kodak was a huge American corporation based in Rochester and in spite of changes to photography that the company didn’t always weather well, the company seems to be enjoying a bit of a resurgence (a quick example, I own and enjoy my Kodak Zi8 video camera which I purchased in the past year based on a presentation I saw by Kodak’s very gracious Jennifer Cisney). This is all great for Kodak and the city of Rochester, NY. I want Kodak to succeed.

They are one of the sponsors of the LPGA Championship and as such had a fairly big tent with the chance for guests to get their picture taken with the LPGA Championship trophy as a free gift. A lady from Kodak stopped us and beckoned us into the tent for a picture and we said sure.

The above photo, taken by Kodak, had us standing in front of a green screen with the trophy on the podium. It was taken by what I assume was Kodak cameras, set up by Kodak staff and assembled on Kodak software to allow the images to be mixed.

Setting aside the obvious – that the two subjects (at least one of them) are not terribly photogenic in the best of circumstances- if you are Kodak, I would assume you would want this cute, silly throw away (possibly) memento to have outstanding photographic quality in reproduction, color, contrast, lighting, framing….the whole deal. Cameras, imaging and photo reproduction are what the Kodak brand is all about.

I looked at the picture and I thought – it looks as if my wife or anybody else could have taken it. It was washed out, the framing was odd (likely because of the background and the logo they put in) and basically I was underwhelmed.

Maybe I am highly critical because I’m more involved in media and marketing than most people. Maybe most people DON’T make the correlation between a photo booth picture and quality imaging and photography…but if they don’t, why would Kodak do the booth?

If you or I host a silly photo booth at a carnival with our little cameras, people aren’t expecting too much. But when you are Kodak – an iconic leader of photography and imaging in the U.S. and the world – I think people do and should expect higher quality and I think if you are Kodak you should want and expect to provide it.

I think Kodak tried to do the right thing here with the booth, I just think the execution needs to be tweaked. I know that it would be difficult to adjust photographic conditions for hundreds of individual photographs…but I think there’s got to be a better way for them to achieve a higher quality product even with a mass assembly line process.

It’s Kodak, it’s America – shouldn’t we expect their best?

Tags: branding, commentary, marketing by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
Comments Off on kodak risks getting it wrong

Moderator John Florian with panelists Peter K. O'Connell, Trish Basanyi, David Kaplan & Doug Turkel

Though I publicly warned him that this might be a bad idea and privately promised he could drop me from his panel at any time in favor of someone who could actually offer some valuable content, John Florian of Voice Over Xtra insists he still wants me to speak at VOICE 2010 in L.A. with him, Doug Turkel, Trish Basanyi, and David Kaplan.

John will also unveil the results of his extensive recent industry survey on how voice actors use the Internet at the beginning of this presentation as well.

Our panel on Friday, June 4th at 11 a.m. is entitled “Voice Actors & The Internet”. I am to talk about voice over marketing and the internet…and I’m supposed to cover that in 10 minutes. Factoring in the raucous ovations I’ll get from the crowd just for being there 😉 , that will leave me with 5 minutes. No sweat.

Point here is if ya ain’t yet made yer reservations for this shindig, the only one of its kind for our industry, you really should come and I mean that seriously, not just because I am a presenter. For networking, education and even business opportunities, you need to attend. You are really missing out, I think, if you don’t come. To register, click here.

Tags: announcers, branding, commentary, marketing, voice actors, voice casting, voice over training, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
7 Comments »

I got pinged today by my friends Pam Stromecki and Debbie Oberg who own Tall Girls Design Studio to let me know that they are celebrating their 8th anniversary in business.

This is terrific news and I want to wish them a very happy anniversary.

Tags: advertising, branding, commentary, logo design, marketing by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
Comments Off on happy anniversary tall girls