Wrigley’s Extra chewing gum drops “dental hygiene” codes in global rebrand
Elmwood has redesigned the international gum brand’s identity, with a focus on its “ding” symbol and pop art-inspired visuals.
Wrigley’s Extra chewing gum has rebranded to move away from dental hygiene cues and instead focus on its variety of flavours.
Brand consultancy Elmwood has crafted the new look, which will roll out across Wrigley’s Extra products around the world. The product is known by various names overseas, including Orbit and Freedent.
The ambition for the rebrand was to drop the “traditional look built around dental hygiene and refreshment” and focus on flavours, explains Elmwood studio creative director Craig Barnes. “We created a distinctive, forward-thinking identity for Extra that radiates confidence well beyond the packaging,” Barnes adds.
One of the main focuses for the rebrand is Extra’s “ding” symbol. The star-like symbol has been refined with softer curves and a new look, explains the design team. It’s featured within a circular frame (which Elmwood describes as a “shield”).
This lock-up can be used in isolation, but also on multiple touchpoints. A particular focus is its digital application, as the updated icon system can give “the brand potential in the digital age”, according to the design team.
The most familiar touchpoint however is likely to be the chewing gum’s packaging. On pack, the first letters of the brand name (such as Extra) will be highlighted in the shield and ding lock-up.
The circular imagery can also be seen in the updated typography as well as the flavour framing device, Elmwood explains. The aim here is to focus on “flavour and moments of confidence”, the team says. In the UK, this is the first time Extra will feature this spotlighting technique – an attempt to create greater clarity for consumers, the team explains.
The ding system also takes centre stage on the rebrand’s digital and social campaigns. Elmwood has designed a series of visual assets – involving animated work – which have been inspired by pop art and feature playful taglines.
There’s a set of hearts and lips made from what the design studio calls “Lichtenstein-esque ding patterns”, for example. They’re paired with copy such as ‘Share Ding is Caring’.
Barnes adds: “With a choiceful amount of new assets taking centre stage in storytelling, there is now a strong system in lay that can still be flexed creatively to meet any market’s needs.”
Last year, Design Week explored the trend in chewing gum branding, as designers turned their eye to a new generation of gum brands.
What do you think of the new work for Wrigley’s Extra chewing gum? Let us know in the comments below.
This is probably heresy but to me chewing gum is chewing gum and I don’t have any brand loyalty. What I am intrigued by are the reasons why associations with dental hygiene have been dropped. Was it a claim that could not be substantiated?
Chewing Gum is only beneficial for your teeth, if it is of the sugarless variety. As there is no confirmation of this in the copy above, but a lot about ‘flavour’, I would guess that the gum contains sugar. A perfect ingredient to decay teeth.
And what the hell does PR statements like the following mean… “The aim here is to focus on – “flavour and moments of confidence”. “With a choiceful amount of new assets taking centre stage in storytelling, there is now a strong system in lay that can still be flexed creatively to meet any market’s needs.”
Total waffle!
Ok so you decided to issue a a rebranding in March of 2022 and now there is none of the old brand or new brand in the Cincinnati Market in January of 2023. Not very
professional or responsible.
I am very disappointed.
Now in Germany there are NO Stripe-Gums anymore in the stores!
Because the demand decreased…. in fact you couldn’t buy em often, because the retailbox with the NON-FLAVOR mild spearmint was mostly plundered first the store! Icy wiking strong double mint extra burning white or exotic flavours layed in the always racks. But nobody wanted them after a good meal, because it disturbed the confidence (taste).
Maybe the market’s needs are met, the customer’s needs not.
I’m disapointed too.
Disappointed. I liked the flavor! Its why Extra speriment was my go to but now it taste strong almost a peppermint taste I have no desire to chew this gum anymore. Good luck with your market.