The Wendy's logo divides customers by going grey

There was a time when brands saw themselves as existing in a world outside of politics and social issues. They've since realised that isn't the case, and brand activism has become a growing force in marketing, particularly on social media. But that's led to some intense debate about whether the stances taken are meaningful or simply attempts to ride an important issue for a sales boost, and Wendy's is the latest brand to discover that.

The fastfood chain's famous logo has gone grey on social media in Canada in a show of solidarity with a TV news anchor who claims to have been dismissed for refusing to dye her hair. But what initially seems like a strong example of a brand taking a stance has caused huge division among customers (see our guide to how to design a logo for more on how logos contribute to a brand's identity).

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Joe Foley

Joe is a regular freelance journalist and editor at Creative Bloq. He writes news, features and buying guides and keeps track of the best equipment and software for creatives, from video editing programs to monitors and accessories. A veteran news writer and photographer, he now works as a project manager at the London and Buenos Aires-based design, production and branding agency Hermana Creatives. There he manages a team of designers, photographers and video editors who specialise in producing visual content and design assets for the hospitality sector. He also dances Argentine tango.

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