Just my optimistic $.02 worth…
A few weeks ago, BUZZR sent out a survey gauging interest in a premium fan club where, for a nominal fee, subscribers would get bonuses including branded apparel and such. (I was half expecting they might announce the launch of it with this new logo rollout.) From what little I know about apparel production, you can do a lot more and get higher quality results with a basic, streamlined logo—as opposed to the basic screen-printed T-shirts they’ve done previously.
I tend to think new merchandising is what’s driving this. And that’s not the worst reason to change a logo. (Remember the rumor a while back that the Viacom networks had streamlined their logos so they’d fit better on a business card?)
And this new logo isn’t really straying too far from its roots. They’ve kept the orange ball & centered white lettering and the “Let’s Play” slogan. The GSN comparisons are understandable, but for now, I don’t think it’s the same situation as when Game Show Network became “The Network for Games.”
Although, if in 3 months BUZZR announces an aggressive new slate of original programming that includes Extreme What’s My Line and a revival of Ballbreakers, I’ll stand corrected.
