Brand Strategy
/
Visual Identity
/
Editorial
Simon & Schuster
/ About the project
A publishing institution with a century-long legacy, undergoes a strategic rebranding following the US government's intervention to thwart Penguin Random House's acquisition bid. This shift heralds a new era for the company, positioning it as a champion for underrepresented voices and diverse narratives.
This rebranding initiative encapsulates the company's commitment to fostering dialogue and inclusivity, envisioning a literary culture that transcends boundaries and embraces controversy as a catalyst for meaningful discourse.
/ INDUSTRY
Literature
/ Credits
Client: Simon & Schuster [Proposal]
/ Year
2024
Background
Five conglomerates control global publishing: Penguin Random House, Hachette, HarperCollins, Macmillan, and Simon & Schuster (ranked by 2022 revenue). Founded in 1924 by Richard L. Simon and M. Lincoln Schuster, Simon & Schuster publishes around 2,000 titles a year across a wide range of imprints and authors.
Statistics & Insights
Strategy
A brand manifesto was crafted to embody Simon & Schuster's renewed values, positioning it as a beacon of independence, free from media influence. It champions emerging authors, diverse perspectives, and transparency in editorial and acquisition practices. The brand is committed to shaping the future of publishing through mentorships, conferences, and industry initiatives.
Logomark
The redesigned logo merges an ampersand with an "S," symbolizing unity and Simon & Schuster's role in connecting diverse genres, authors, and media. Using the PP Editorial New typeface, it achieves an elegant, classic, yet modern look. The logo works standalone, with type, or as a stamp mark, and pairs with author autographs for unique collaboration lockups.
Guidelines
A comprehensive 65-page branding guidelines book consolidates essential information on brand values, personality, voice, history, taglines, copywriting, logo variations, color schemes, typography, grids, patterns, and practical use case examples.
Brand Architecture
Simon & Schuster spans three divisions: Adult, Children's, and Audio. Across them sit over 50 imprints, each with its own identity. Pairing the new wordmark with each imprint logo aligns them under one Simon & Schuster umbrella while keeping their individual logos intact.
Digital
The identity extends beyond print into a digital experience built for browsing and buying, with events and promotions that spotlight small and diverse authors. A more curated, refined storefront lets Simon & Schuster compete with the online marketplaces.
Event
To showcase the versatility of the updated brand architecture, Simon & Schuster established a new imprint within its Children's Publishing division called Voyager.
Collaborations
In line with Simon & Schuster's commitment to diversity, a marketing campaign with the ALA's Office for Intellectual Freedom highlights historically banned books, offering them at 50% off. Custom posters are created for each release, blending the book's branding with the institutional identity.
