As one of the leading social platforms in the digital landscape, Twitter's rebranding efforts have sparked tons of conversations and ample curiosity among its users and industry experts alike. Let's take a closer look at how and why this drastic change came about, and what impact the new "X" platform may have for the future.

Bye Bye, Birdie

Twitter has undergone a radical transformation this summer, as the platform has clipped its wings and emerged as "X." Confused? Don’t worry: we were too.

Twitter’s new owner, Elon Musk, has replaced the iconic bird logo, signaling a new era for this social media powerhouse. The decision to rebrand comes as Twitter aims to move beyond its traditional image as a microblogging platform and transform into a more diverse and inclusive company. As stated by the company, the new brand, “X,” represents their commitment to innovation, creativity, and connectivity.

Musk remarked that “X” embodies "the imperfections in us all that make us unique.” It’s a significant change to the company, but one that should have been expected due to Musk’s past public obsessions with the letter “x” (e.g., Space X, Tesla’s model X, etc.) and the fact that the parent company, Twitter Inc., was named X Corp in April of this year.

Driving Forces Behind the Rebrand

A big contributing factor in Twitter's departure from the long-standing brand image is a push to drive traffic and differentiate itself from competitors like Meta. The rebrand aims to re-position the social platform as a more dynamic and forward-thinking platform.

Furthermore, the rebranding could also be viewed as a chance for Twitter to distance itself from any negative associations or connotations linked to its previous brand and portray itself as a contemporary and progressive corporation. As a top branding firm in Denver, we are consistently helping small businesses develop unique brand identities and have helped out on numerous rebranding projects since our inception in 2009. However, not all rebrands are great ideas and sometimes dramatic identity changes are often met with resistance.

User Backlash and the Legal Implications of “X”

It's no surprise that the unveiling of this change in branding was met with backlash from users (The Hill). The iconic bird logo of Twitter is ubiquitous in our society and many long-time users have a negative perspective on the abrupt change. In fact, some users have made comparisons of the new logo to logos of adult content. Others have mocked the brand’s transition due to inconsistencies across the platform; as of writing this article, the mobile app is still called Twitter and the website domain is still twitter.com.

In addition to the varying opinions across the general public, there may be potential legal complications associated with the rebrand. Multiple companies, such as Meta and Microsoft, possess intellectual property rights for the same letter (CBS). The extensive use and referencing of X in trademarks make the rebrand vulnerable to potential legal disputes. And it’s worth noting that the logo does not have many distinctive characteristics or features, it’s difficult to say if the new logo can be protected. All these concerns may possibly lead to legal challenges for the company formerly known as Twitter in defending its “X” brand in the future.

Pros and Cons of Rebranding Any Company

There are several pros and cons to consider when a business is thinking of undergoing a rebrand. On the positive side, a rebrand can help a business redefine its image and position within the market, allowing it to differentiate itself from competitors and attract new customers. It provides an opportunity to refresh the brand identity, logo, and visual elements, which can help modernize the business and increase its appeal to younger target audiences.

Conversely, rebranding can be a costly endeavor, requiring significant financial investment in new branding materials, marketing campaigns, and redesigning the company website redesign. A rebrand can also be met with resistance from existing customers and stakeholders who are familiar with the previous brand identity. There is a risk of losing brand recognition and loyalty in the rebranding process, as you may alienate many of your existing user base.

It suffices to say that you need a good reason to rebrand your company, and as of writing this, the jury is still out as to whether Twitter made the right choice here. At our top branding firm in Denver, we can help small business owners like you decide when and how to rebrand.

Redefine Your Business with a Creative Branding Firm in Denver

Real FiG Advertising + Marketing is your partner in transforming your brand into a true powerhouse. We’ll use expert strategies to create a unique identity for your business that stands out from the crowd.

Our team offers tailored solutions that are designed to elevate your business and stay ahead of industry trends, ensuring your long-term success. 

Reach out today to discuss how we can help your business successfully rebrand.