Taking the newspaper out of logo

One of the first changes members of the American Society of Newspaper (ASNE) noticed at this year’s conference in Washington, D.C., which opened Tuesday , was the logo. No more does the ASNE name rest on a red and white box, with its formal name written out, surrounding the logo with the folded corner.

The new logo does not even mention the word, “newspaper,” stating, in a slick black and white design, “ASNE – Leading America’s Newsrooms.”

ASNE president Dave Zeeck acknowledged the “identity transfer” during his address to members. He said the idea was to expand the newspaper image beyond just print and on to online and other facets of the business. “That is what moving ASNE forward looks like,” he said.

Zeeck, editor of the News-Tribune in Tacoma, Wash., also said the word “newspaper” may eventually be removed from ASNE’s full name. “It deserves consideration,” he said. “Do we work for newspapers or news companies?”

He also said the conference, currently a four-day event, may be shortened to two or three days to save members time and money. More association with the Online News Association also may take place. “It is all being considered,” he said.

[Source: Joe Strupp in Editor & Publisher]