New OGC logo arouses laughter

Ever heard of the OGC? Well, neither have most people, and that's why the UK Office of Government Commerce (OGC) hired London design firm FHD to create a new visual identity for the organization. And it sounded like everything was going well, with OGC communications director Catherine Hastings saying she was "impressed with the integrated approach FHD had to offer."



So, after £14,000 and who knows how many rounds of client review, the new, clean and modern identity was unveiled to some of the 564 staffers of the OGC. It took less than a minute for some of the government workers to turn the logomark 90 degrees clockwise and, well, you can see for yourself.



Employees quickly snatched up all the ballyhooed paraphernalia before managers attempted to confiscate them. Look for them to appear on eBay any day now.

Reportedly, the OGC is going forward with the new look despite the unintended issues that popped-up. It was undoubtedly a hard decision.
An OGC spokesman commented: “It is true that it caused a few titters among some staff when viewed on its side, but on consideration we concluded that the effect was generic to the particular combination of the letters OGC - and it is not inappropriate to an organisation that’s looking to have a firm grip on Government spending.”

"Firm grip," he said? We must give the spokesman points for that one. But, going forward, is this accidentally exhibitionist identity worth the red cheeks? Or should they throw in the towel and forget the tent pole?

This might be one of top unplanned marketing results of 2008. Here's our favorite from 2007.

Labels: brand, humor, logo

posted by Mark @ 9:04 AM