Mastercard has dropped its name from the familiar brand mark. The symbol, red and yellow interlocking circles, now stands on its own in many contexts, including cards which carry the brand mark, acceptance marks at retail locations in the physical and digital worlds, and select sponsorship properties. “Reinvention in the digital age calls for modern simplicity,” says Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing and communication officer at Mastercard. “And with more than 80 percent of people spontaneously recognizing the Mastercard Symbol without the word ‘mastercard,’ we felt ready to take this next step in our brand evolution. We are proud of our rich brand heritage and are excited to see the iconic circles standing on their own.”
Adds Michael Beirut of Pentagram, who redesign the symbol in 2016 and is adapting it now: “We live in a time where, increasingly, we communicate not through words but through icons and symbols. Mastercard has had the great fortune of being represented by two interlocking circles, one red, one yellow, since its founding in 1966. Now, by allowing this symbol to shine on its own, Mastercard enters an elite cadre of brands that are represented not by name, but by symbol: an apple, a target, a swoosh. Mastercard’s two interlocking circles have always represented their commitment to connecting people. Now, that commitment is given greater presence by Mastercard’s status as a symbol brand.”
