MSNBC is getting a brand new title and emblem — and insiders say worker group chats are buzzing about what the rebrand means for the community’s future.The left-leaning cable TV community will quickly be generally known as MS NOW — My Supply Information Opinion World — the corporate instructed staffers in a memo on Monday morning. This rebrand comes as MSNBC prepares to spin off to a brand new firm known as Versant later this 12 months, together with Comcast’s different cable channels (besides Bravo).A number of of MSNBC’s greatest stars expressed assist for the model refresh.Joe Scarborough mentioned on air Tuesday that the brand new emblem “appears to be like very sporty” and that the rebrand away from NBC “reveals we’re unbiased.”
“Morning Joe’s” Joe Scarborough mentioned MSNBC’s rebrand indicators independence.
Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Photographs
Megastar Rachel Maddow mentioned in an announcement that “if there was ever a time for us to alter our title, that is it — as a result of we’re not simply separating from NBC Information in company phrases, we’re competing with them now.”Seven present and two former MSNBC workers who spoke with Enterprise Insider on Monday had been much less effusive, expressing a mix of bemusement, uncertainty, and indifference.The brand new emblem contains a white flag marked with two daring crimson horizontal strains beside the phrases MS NOW, set towards a blue background. A number of MSNBC insiders questioned if the give attention to blue and crimson might sign a need to attraction to each side of the political aisle, although a longtime worker mentioned they hadn’t heard any directives to maneuver away from the community’s signature progressive type.
MSNBC will sport a brand new title and emblem when it spins off from Comcast.
Versant
MSNBC president Rebecca Kutler instructed staffers in a memo that the community’s editorial path wasn’t shifting: “Whereas the title might be completely different, the model’s dedication to its viewers won’t change.”A second MSNBC worker remarked that the brand new emblem “appears to be like conservative, particularly with dropping the peacock rainbow.” MSNBC’s emblem displayed the colour crimson much less prominently.”Your eye is drawn to the crimson,” mentioned Chris Rosica, the pinnacle of branding agency Rosica Communications.What’s in a reputation?Storied information organizations like MSNBC not often rebrand, since community names convey heritage, belief, and model id, model strategist Lily Thaler of Design Bridge and Companions mentioned.
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Versant president Mark Lazarus had mentioned in January that MSNBC’s title would not change, telling workers to “take that off of your fear listing on issues,” Deadline reported.The “MS” in its authentic title stood for Microsoft. Altering that to “My Supply” is a daring name, mentioned Stefanie Gilmore, the pinnacle of technique for North America at Design Bridge and Companions. MS Now might construct belief by pitching itself as “the information supply for you,” she mentioned.One former worker mentioned it was “hilarious” that MS is outlasting NBC within the title, since Microsoft exited the TV arm of the enterprise in 2005.A 3rd present worker mentioned the “Now” seems like a streaming service. Comcast has a streamer known as NBC Information Now, and HBO Max was known as HBO Now.Two MSNBC insiders mentioned viewers’ reference to the model is staked much less in its title, and extra in its on-air personalities. Folks already generally shorten MSNBC to MS.”The model is across the anchors,” a contributor mentioned. “I do not suppose folks won’t search for Rachel Maddow or Nicolle Wallace.”Hernan Lopez, founding father of the media consulting agency Owl & Co., was complimentary of MSNBC’s rebrand, together with the choice to distance itself from NBC following the spinoff.”I believe it would catch on, truly,” Lopez mentioned of MSNBC’s new title. “Going from 5 syllables to a few is a win.”
