what's in a name
Posted by Shirley Brady on July 12, 2010 03:30 PM
New York's disco group whose classic dance hit YMCA has become "a staple at nearly every ballgame, wedding and Bar Mitzvah," according to their publicist, responded to today's news that the YMCA is rebranding to its nickname: the Y.
Village People (unlike the Y, they prefer no "The") sent us the following comment from the road. (Yes, they're still touring and performing year-round after 33 years.)
“We are deeply dismayed by today's announcement from the YMCA that they feel a name change and a rebranding are in order after 166 years. Some things remain iconic and while we admire the organization for the work they do, we still can’t help but wonder Y.”
They won't change a letter in their song, which they'll keep performing as written and beloved. (We'd be disappointed if they did.) The organization, meanwhile, explained its new branding at a press conference in Washington, D.C. today.
It's adopting a lowercase 't' on the Y unless at the start of a sentence; the new branding is being phased in locally over the next five years; and the new logo is designed to be "more forward-looking" to reflect "the vibrancy and diversity of the organization, and a framework that focuses resources on three core areas: youth development, healthy living and social responsibility."
Its former logo had been in place since 1967, the sixth since its inception. The new logo's "multiple color options and new, contemporary look, better reflects the vibrancy of the Y and the diversity of the communities it serves. The new logo’s bold, active and welcoming shape symbolizes the Y’s commitment to personal and social progress."
Thoughts on its new name and look? Meanwhile, here's the new-look Village People:
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