Medical professionals and political leaders are rightfully overseeing the most robust pleas for individuals to engage in social distancing as they seek to eradicate the COVID-19 pandemic. While they will remain the ones who will dominate the discussions as the global population makes adjustments to daily life, brands are also engaging the public to act responsibly, with adjustments to their logos as a chief call to inaction.
As the world waits for word that life can return to some sense of normalcy, it is natural that companies people rely on for goods and services would advise them to implement safe measures. Relying on creativity to do so, these brands represent some entities that have modified their customary logos to encourage social distancing. Over the duration of the pandemic, which we dearly hope is not long, we expect that more companies and perhaps athletic teams (given that the Boston Red Sox altered their famous logo) to follow suit.
Here are a few of the examples we found:
McDonald’s
In some parts of the world, McDonald's is now using its iconic logo to promote social distancing during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. https://t.co/gAxhugtPOB pic.twitter.com/Jw59Qiq7YB
— NBC10 Boston (@NBC10Boston) March 25, 2020
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola puts a social distancing message in Times Square https://t.co/7dKDDpd0n8 pic.twitter.com/uFzTE0GwUB
— Ad Age Creativity (@creativitymag) March 23, 2020
Chiquita
Chiquita banana brand removed Miss Chiquita from their logo because the lady is confined home.. Brilliant idea! #SocialDistancing #SelfIsolation #advertising #goodvertising #socialawareness #realtimemarketing pic.twitter.com/zagnWsb95t
— Ghada W. Azzi (@sugarpoppy) March 24, 2020
Audi
#Audi #thoughtful #logo a very meaningful advertisement using their logo & a powerful message. pic.twitter.com/xGxOTaxX0X
— Sandeep shah (@Sandeepshah62) March 25, 2020
Volkswagen
Volkswagen Reminds Us To Keep Our Distance With New Logo. The 'V' and the 'W' get the message. #industrynews #video Read: https://t.co/Aka0rdWuMv pic.twitter.com/dnSQRFWCLm
— CarBuzz (@CarBuzzcom) March 25, 2020
Boston Red Sox
#NewSociallyDistantProfilePic pic.twitter.com/44gf6IRMia
— Red Sox (@RedSox) March 24, 2020
Many brands call on logos and branding elements that rely on close proximity to make an impression. These six are showing that while crafting design components that have that characteristic might be good for business, the social equivalent of surrounding oneself with company just is not the proper course of action to take until the world has conquered COVID-19.