It's not just people that are social distancing. Brands are doing it too.
不只是人在社交距離,品牌也在社交距離。
McDonald's, Coca-Cola, Audi and Volkswagen are just a few of the corporate conglomerates that are interpreting "social distancing" with logo redesigns.
麥當勞、可口可樂、奧迪和大眾只是用重新設計品牌標識來詮釋“社交距離”的其中幾個企業集團。
The term has become popular recently because of the spread of the novel coronavirus. Social distancing means standing 6 feet apart from others in an effort to lower the risk of contracting the illness.
"And brands designing social distancing logos have the potential to diminish the severity of what we are going through. The creativity, passion, and thought that goes into wanting to help, educate, and be part of the physical distancing movement is a worthy note," Sellers said.
Brian Braiker, the editor-in-chief of Ad Age, says it's time for brands to provide a "real, meaningful service," referencing companies like the Gap making masks for healthcare workers or LVMH, the parent company of Christian Dior and Givenchy, manufacturing hand sanitizer.
"Understanding the situation, shutting up and doing something helpful is really the only way to go here. When you see brands like McDonald's or Coca-Cola spacing out their logos in 'solidarity,' it strikes a sour note," he told CNN Business.
McDonald's Brazil separated the golden arches. Credit: McDonald's
Last week, McDonald's Brazil pulled apart its iconic golden arches in a picture posted to its Facebook page. The ad agency explained that despite the temporary separation between its customers and the company caused by closures of some of its restaurants, they "can always be together." McDonald's is offering food through delivery and drive-thru.
The McDonald's ad sparked backlash, including from Senator Bernie Sanders, who tweeted Wednesday about the company's sick leave policy for its employees.
Coca-Cola is currently running an ad in New York's deserted Times Square that shows each letter of its logo separated with the slogan "Staying apart is the best way to stay united." The brand typically celebrates togetherness and love in its ads.
Two automotive companies that share ownership, Audi and Volkswagen, tweaked their logos for their social media accounts.
股權同屬一家的兩個汽車公司——奧迪和大眾——在社交媒體賬戶上對自己的標識進行了改動。
Audi separated its four rings in a short video telling people to stay at home and keep their distance.
奧迪在一個短視頻中把商標中的四個環分開,告訴人們待在家里,保持距離。
Audi created a social distancing logo for its social media accounts. Credit: Audi
Volkswagen also promoted a similar video with inspirational messages and separated the V and W.
大眾也在一個類似的視頻中傳遞積極信息,并把商標中的V和W分開。
Volkswagen separated its V and W. Credit: Volkswagen
Nike 耐克
Nike's ad was posted on dozens of its players' social media accounts. Credit: Nike
Nike didn't tweak its logo, but it launched a large social media campaign with its global roster of star athletes including NBA player LeBron James and golfer Tiger Woods. Sports ground to a halt in the past few weeks because of social distancing rules and the ban on large gatherings, like in stadiums.