Pentagram X Warner Records: after 61 years a very Californian rebranding and logo for the label

Iconic label Warner Bros. Records is rebranded after 61 years. From now on the company is Warner Records and the global rebranding comes with a new brand identity and logo which were developed in partnership with Pentagram.

The rebranding is part of the label’s continuing evolution under the leadership of U.S. co-chairman/CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck, who joined in October 2018; U.S. co-chairman/COO Tom Corson, appointed in January 2018; and Phil Christie, named president of the U.K. label in 2016 reports Billboard.   

"For the first time in the label’s history, we’ve had the opportunity to create a distinct, modern identity entirely of our own" notes the company's press release. 

With the name changed, the logo of the company is a brand new one as well which comes with "...artful simplicity and impactful typography that are ideally suited to the digital world. The circular icon—suggesting a record, a sun, and a globe—is a nod to the label’s past, present and future. The openness of the design gives it the flexibility to embrace all Warner Records artists and all genres of music around the world."

Developed with Emily Oberman at the design studio Pentagram the timing of Warner Records rebranding "couldn’t be better, since we all feel the label is at a moment of reinvention that builds on our legacy, while moving into a future driven by fearlessness and creativity. We have a growing roster of world-class artists, a rejuvenated team, and an incredible new location. It’s a new day for Warner Records, an iconic label that was born in the California sun, and is at home everywhere on earth."

The change follows the company’s recent move to state-of-the-art headquarters in downtown Los Angeles’ burgeoning Arts District and the unveiling two weeks ago of a new, slash-less and rather regal brand identity and logo for its sister company, the publisher Warner Chappell Music, also in collaboration with Pentagram.

The circular icon—suggesting a record, a sun, and a globe—is a nod to the label’s past, present and future. 

"Founded in March 1958 as a division of Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Records adopted its parent company’s shield logo and used it ever since. Then in 2004, Warner Music Group became the world’s largest standalone major music company when it was sold by Time Warner. At the time of the sale, it was agreed that Warner Bros. Records would continue to use its name and logo for 15 years" reports Billboard. 

As always the design community had numerous (funny) things to say on the new logo and branding of the label. Check the video and enter the season of California dreaming in the music industry.