Logo logistics
I'm working on something for tonight about my concerns regarding the Clark deal, but in the meantime, here's something that reader Erik Rhodes dug up ...
Erik did some research and found that the Rhinos' new logo uses generally available clip art of a rhino. (It can be found at www.fotosearch.com.) For $19.95, the piece of clip art is available to anyone in the public who wants to use it, which means the Rhinos might not be able to copyright their new logo using the art.
Fotosearch also has a long licensing agreement for people who purchase clip art from the site; the restrictions provided in the agreement clearly state that "(E)xcept as provided herein, licensee may not ... Incorporate the Product into a logo, trademark or service mark."
Erik believes the Rhinos shouldn't simply settle for some piece of clip art for their logo, and I have to agree. Such a move seems to indicate that the new team owner and management are cheap and/or lazy, which does not bode well for the future.
I mean, of the team is willing to be lazy cheapskates on something as basic as a logo, then you have to wonder how they'll address other decisions, i.e. signing players, players' and coaches' salaries, concessions, etc.
I also agree with Erik that the Rhinos SHOULD have held an open contest to find a new logo. For example, have local high school and college art students submit proposals for the new logo, with the winner receiving a scholarship or something.
Such a contest, I think, would be a HUGE community-relations success. It would prove that the new owner is earnestly committed to reaching out to and involving the public in this "new era" for the Rhinos.
So thanks to Erik for raising this issue.
(As an aside, Erik also notes that the Batavia Muckdogs baseball team has a cool logo, and I have to agree. However, my favorite sports team logo is for the Carolina Mudcats, a double-A baseball team near Raleigh -- it's the face of a big ol' smiling catfish. I dunno, I just like catfish. They look cool to me. Plus they're very, very tasty. Mmmm ... friend catfish.)
Erik did some research and found that the Rhinos' new logo uses generally available clip art of a rhino. (It can be found at www.fotosearch.com.) For $19.95, the piece of clip art is available to anyone in the public who wants to use it, which means the Rhinos might not be able to copyright their new logo using the art.
Fotosearch also has a long licensing agreement for people who purchase clip art from the site; the restrictions provided in the agreement clearly state that "(E)xcept as provided herein, licensee may not ... Incorporate the Product into a logo, trademark or service mark."
Erik believes the Rhinos shouldn't simply settle for some piece of clip art for their logo, and I have to agree. Such a move seems to indicate that the new team owner and management are cheap and/or lazy, which does not bode well for the future.
I mean, of the team is willing to be lazy cheapskates on something as basic as a logo, then you have to wonder how they'll address other decisions, i.e. signing players, players' and coaches' salaries, concessions, etc.
I also agree with Erik that the Rhinos SHOULD have held an open contest to find a new logo. For example, have local high school and college art students submit proposals for the new logo, with the winner receiving a scholarship or something.
Such a contest, I think, would be a HUGE community-relations success. It would prove that the new owner is earnestly committed to reaching out to and involving the public in this "new era" for the Rhinos.
So thanks to Erik for raising this issue.
(As an aside, Erik also notes that the Batavia Muckdogs baseball team has a cool logo, and I have to agree. However, my favorite sports team logo is for the Carolina Mudcats, a double-A baseball team near Raleigh -- it's the face of a big ol' smiling catfish. I dunno, I just like catfish. They look cool to me. Plus they're very, very tasty. Mmmm ... friend catfish.)
posted by Ryan Whirty at
11:01 AM
4 Comments:
You want good fried catfish strips - try Sticky Lips Pit BBQ on Culver Rd - across from East High.
On the original Rhinos logo, let me tell you a little story. Yes, they did have a professional designer create orginal artwork of the "fierce but kid friendly" Rhino head - the first round had the soccer ball on the horn. Donner & staff tried many different versions with out the ball on the horn - over one month went by - then it just made sense - put the friggin soccer ball on the horn! Sometimes you can out think these things.
One way the team DID involve community was the name the team contest - through the D&C - over 100 entries. The Rhinos formed a four-person "celebrity" committee - I know Rich Funke was one, can't remember the others -got down to 12 names, then 2-3 finalists. Rhinos caught our interest - Ravens & Riot was also in there. We backed off Riot, for obvious reasons. Then we decided to add "Raging" - one of the first "three names" teams (remember - Fall of 1995)- ever seen a Rhino in Rochester? NO. Slow & nearly blind animal? YES! Unique name & tough, fierce competitor? YES! It's all in the marketing, son.
I got tons more inside stories - the book comes out in Christmas - Steve Rossi
By
Anonymous, at 12:43 PM
I dont know about a Rhino being a fierce competitor. They can be agressive protecting what is theirs....mainly territory and females. The raging part was only used to cover up that the logo was too kid friendly.
Dont get me wrong though I think the old logo is/was fine. I just would prefer a more adult version for the "official" logo. The kiddie logo can be a secondary logo for use for events/marketing to children.
By
Anonymous, at 5:33 AM
I got tons more inside stories - the book comes out in Christmas - Steve Rossi
Lets hope that book is available for the holidays as I am sure many would love to hear all the inside dirt on the RSG and the Razorsharks.
By
Anonymous, at 10:27 AM
Well, the new logo looks like bad clip art. The logo looks more like a camel with a horn stuck to it's nose. They should have stuck with the Raging Rhinos logo for a year and let some professionals design a logo that looks better then something I could have done in five minutes with my laptop while having a beer. But I root for a hockey team that hired professionals to design a logo and we got a buffalo that looks like a slug.
By
Snarf, at 8:01 PM
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