Mastercard has announced that it is dropping its name from its logo “in select contexts”, as the famous credit card brand readies for a digital future where physical cards may not be so prevalent.

The interlocking red and yellow circles, referred to by the company as the “Mastercard Symbol”, will now stand on its own across cards using the red and yellow brand mark.

“Reinvention in the digital age calls for modern simplicity,” says Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing and communication officer at Mastercard. “And with more than 80 per cent of people spontaneously recognising the Mastercard Symbol without the word ‘mastercard,’ we felt ready to take this next step in our brand evolution. We are proud of our rich brand heritage and are excited to see the iconic circles standing on their own.”

The red and yellow interlocking circles have been the hallmark of the Mastercard brand for more than 50 years.

“We live in a time where, increasingly, we communicate not through words but through icons and symbols. Mastercard has had the great fortune of being represented by two interlocking circles, one red, one yellow, since its founding in 1966,” adds Michael Bierut, partner at Pentagram – the design agency responsible for updating Mastercard’s logo back in 2016.

“Now, by allowing this symbol to shine on its own, Mastercard enters an elite cadre of brands that are represented not by name, but by symbol: an apple, a target, a swoosh. Mastercard’s two interlocking circles have always represented their commitment to connecting people. Now, that commitment is given greater presence by Mastercard’s status as a symbol brand.”

Source: Mastercard