Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty today introduced a new company logo — a silver torch with burnt-orange flame, symbolizing its modern, universal engagement in the fight for democracy. The new logo was unveiled to employees during a ceremony in Prague. During the ceremony, RFE/RL President Thomas A. Dine explained the rationale that guided the companys year-long efforts to replace the blue and silver Freedom Bell that had been RFE/RL’s mark for more than half a century: “Today’s markets require a new and fresh identifying symbol, appealing to new and younger publics.” Dine also stated that “The flaming torch symbolizes the light of truth and information in our multimedia array of information products — on radio, television, the Internet, cell phones and in print media.”
The logo comes in several color combinations of background, lettering and image — all silver on orange, silver and orange on white, all orange on silver, all black on white. It was created by the New York City-based design firm Chermayeff & Geismar, which has designed logos for several U.S. government agencies, as well as multinational conglomerates. Each of RFE/RL’s 27 broadcast languages, for the first time, has a separate logo in the service’s own language and script — Radio Azattyk for Kyrgyzstan, Radio Svoboda for Russia, Radio Europa Libera for Romania, etc. Dine said all printed and online publications, promotion items, television programs, and advertising will be in the language of the broadcast: “This lends new power and coherence to our brand name in the increasingly competitive markets where we operate.”
Dine concluded his remarks by noting that “symbols and metaphors change, but RFE/RL’s mission of spreading democracy and freedom does not. The power of free thought was a potent antidote to communism and such light in a dark world is a dynamic and inspiring countermeasure in today’s world of Islamic jihadists and authoritarian dictators… Let RFE/RL’s logo of a flaming torch illuminate democracy’s spirit and strength in the 21st century.”
For more information on the new logo and the history of the old Freedom Bell, visit RFE/RL’s special website: http://www.rferl.org/about/organization/newlogo.asp