Rebranding vs A Brand Refresh: What's the difference?

Happy Friday, friend! For today’s blog post, we thought we’d discuss the difference between a rebrand and a brand refresh. After having our own brand refresh earlier this year, we thought that the design terminology between these two terms could be a little confusing.

As a brand design studio, we’ll say it before and we’ll say it again – branding is essential to the success of any business.


It is what sets you apart from the competition and helps you establish a unique identity in the minds of your customers. However, as your business grows and evolves, your brand may need to change as well. This is where rebranding or a brand refresh can come in. In this blog post, we will discuss the difference between the two and when it makes sense to choose one over the other.

REBRANDING

Rebranding involves a complete overhaul of your brand. This means changing everything from your company name, logo, messaging, and even your products or services. Rebranding is typically done when a company wants to distance itself from negative associations, enter a new market, or appeal to a new target audience. It is a significant undertaking for a business and it requires a lot of time, effort, and resources that is well worth it in the long run.

Rebranding is a high-risk yet high-reward strategy. When executed successfully, it can breathe new life into your business and help you achieve your goals.

Brand refresh

A brand refresh, on the other hand, is a less drastic approach to rebranding. It involves making subtle changes to your brand elements, such as updating your logo, refining your messaging, or tweaking your color palette and type system. It is also typically done when a company wants to modernize its brand or stay relevant in a changing market.

Compared to a rebrand, a brand refresh is less likely to alienate or shock your existing customers as the changes can be subtle.

When to choose To do a rebrand or a brand refresh

Choosing between rebranding and brand refresh depends on your business’ goals and circumstances. If you want to completely change your brand image, rebranding may be the way to go. However, if you're happy with your brand's overall image and want to make small improvements, a brand refresh may be the better option.

final thoughts

Rebranding and a brand refresh are two powerful strategies that businesses can use to improve their brand image. Rebranding involves a complete overhaul of your brand, while a brand refresh involves making subtle changes to your brand elements. As we stated earlier, choosing between the two really depends on your specific goals and circumstances. Regardless of which strategy you choose, it's essential to conduct market research, gather feedback from your customers, and consult with a brand design studio like us to make sure your rebrand or refresh are aligned with your business goals.


We’d love to know if this blog post was helpful and feel free to DM us if you have any questions. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter for more marketing, business, branding tips!

XO, Victoria & the V&CO Team

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