The Year's Best Photo Journalism, Banning Passwords and Why Most Rebranding Is Worthless

Baskin Robbins Tries the "Hail Mary" of Marketing: Launch a Rebrand

90% of rebranding campaigns are lazy marketing. That's not a researched number, it just seems like it could be true. I was originally ready to dismiss this new rebrand from Baskin Robbins as more of the same thing. Reading more about it, there's some interesting nuance here that might actually help them achieve a brand rejuvenation. Along with the new logo (which retains the familiar "31" integrated inside to represent a different flavor for each day of the month), the brand is selling merchandise and introducing creative new trending flavors like Ube Coconut Swirl.

Baskin Robbins is just one of many iconic consumer brands putting design front and center as they simplify their recognizable logos. Some do offer a much needed facelift to an aging brand. Others remain unnecessary exercises made to fuel the ego of a new CMO. How can you tell the difference? Here's one thought: let's go back and see how many of these brands have retained their logos five (or maybe even three) years from now. Brands shouldn't be like flavors. If you're trying a new one every few years, there's probably a deeper business issue that a new logo is unlikely to fix.

The 2022 World Press Photo Winners Remind Us Why Images Matter

Every year the World Press Photo Foundation selects the year's best examples of visual journalism to honor and this year's selections include some amazing images that tell powerful stories. This image above comes from a story about the ancient Aboriginal practice of controlled fires as a method to rejuvenate the land and burn off dangerous underbrush that otherwise can fuel more dangerous fires. As you scroll through the rest of the selections, you'll be reminded of the difference between what a real professional photographer can do from behind the lens to tell a story versus the hastily taken camera phone shots we've become accustomed to. It's an important reminder considering just how good AI generated imagery is likely to get in the near future.

Who Should Have the Right To Delete Content Off The Internet?

Multiple stories this week focused on how Twitter has been experimenting with a new feature that allows users to delete past tweets or edit them on the platform. The tech media has been generally supportive of the idea - noting that it would be great for people to be able to remove themselves from conversations that become toxic or to remove outdated content. On the surface, it certainly seems like a good empowering feature. Until you consider the door that this feature may open for other types of content to be scrubbed from the Internet.

This week WIRED magazine explored the very real problem of what happens if Russia is able to remove social media posts that document war crimes. There is an organization called Mnemonic that is already using software to save and archive these types of posts so they can later be recalled as evidence - but this activity may get harder if the ability to delete or remove posts becomes more widespread. Not being able to edit or delete past tweets would be a small price to pay if it means that those who are documenting atrocities from war could insure their efforts might actual reach those in a position to do something about it.

Furniture That Breaks Up When You Do From Argentinean Retailer

Every piece of furniture in this new collection from Argentinean furniture brand FC home & deco is named after a famous celebrity breakup. There is the BradIston Sofa, the GarnAfleck rug, and the KanyDashian table among many others to pick from. The modular furniture is a clever way to turn one of life's realities into a reason for picking their unique furniture. Not only as a sort of furnishing prenup for when your relationship goes south, but also for those moments when having modular furniture might actually be useful even if you do stay together. Great idea and clever campaign. HT - Emmanuel Probst