What is a Rebrand?

A rebrand involves a comprehensive overhaul of your brand’s identity, including:

• Brand Name: Sometimes, a new name is introduced.

• Logo and Visuals: A complete redesign of logos, colour schemes, and overall aesthetics.

• Messaging: Revising brand voice and communication to reflect a new direction.

When to Rebrand:

• Strategic Shift: Entering new markets or targeting a different audience.

• Mergers or Acquisitions: Unifying identities under one brand.

• Negative Perception: Moving away from past issues.

• Outdated Image: Modernising an old or irrelevant brand.

Universal Example: Facebook rebranded its parent company as “Meta” to align with its new focus on the metaverse.

BrandNew Creative Example: Southgate 

What is a Brand Refresh?

A brand refresh is a subtle update to modernise and refine existing brand elements:

• Logo Refinement: Minor tweaks to make the logo more current.

• Colour and Typography Updates: Adjusting visuals for a fresher look.

• Messaging Refinement: Updating tone or key messages.

When to Refresh:

• Staying Relevant: Keeping up with industry trends without a complete overhaul.

• Visual Update: Refreshing a dated look while maintaining brand recognition.

Universal Example: Google’s logo has seen subtle changes over the years, modernising without losing its identity.

BrandNew Creative Example: We helped the owners of Bell Lane Coffee Roasters rediscover why they’re so fanatical about a little roasted bean. We developed a revitalised, symbolic, and meaningful brand identity to help share their unique story about their passion and evolution with coffee. We also created an engaging platform to educate coffee-lovers on their process and hero the people behind farm-to-cup.

Key Differences:

• Scope: Rebranding is a complete transformation while refreshing is an update to existing elements.

• Purpose: Rebranding is for significant changes; refreshing is for staying current.

Which is Right for You?

• Rebrand if your business is undergoing a major shift or needs a new identity.

• Refresh if your brand is solid but needs to evolve with the times.

Choosing the right approach ensures your brand remains relevant and resonates with your audience. If you’re having trouble 

Rebrand or Refresh: Which is Right for Your Business?

When discussing a new client's needs, we often ask: Which approach would be more suitable, a brand refresh or a rebrand? Understanding the distinction between these two strategies is key to making the right move for your business.

What is a Rebrand?

A rebrand involves a comprehensive overhaul of your brand’s identity. This can include changing the brand name, redesigning the logo and visual elements, and revising the brand’s messaging to reflect a new direction. For example, Facebook rebranded its parent company as “Meta” to align with its new focus on the metaverse.

When to Rebrand:

A rebrand is ideal when your business is undergoing a strategic shift, such as entering new markets or targeting a different audience. It’s also appropriate after mergers or acquisitions to unify identities under one brand or when there's a need to move away from negative perceptions or modernise an outdated image.

What is a Brand Refresh?

On the other hand, a brand refresh is a subtle update to modernise and refine existing brand elements. This might involve tweaking the logo, updating the colour scheme and typography, or refining the messaging. Unlike a rebrand, a refresh is about staying relevant without a complete overhaul.

When to Refresh:

A brand refresh is appropriate when you want to keep up with industry trends or refresh a dated look while maintaining brand recognition. For instance, Google has made subtle changes to its logo over the years to keep it modern without losing its core identity.

Key Differences:

The main difference between rebranding and refreshing lies in their scope and purpose. Rebranding involves a complete transformation, while a refresh is an update to existing elements. Rebranding is necessary for significant changes, whereas refreshing helps a brand stay current.

Which is Right for You?

Rebrand if your business is undergoing a major shift or needs a new identity. Refresh if your brand is solid but needs to evolve with the times. Choosing the right approach ensures your brand remains relevant and resonates with your audience. If you’re having trouble determining which approach is right for your brand, get in touch!