Adweek is an American trade publication covering advertising, marketing, and media, first published in 1979 and owned by Shamrock Capital since 2020. Its visual identity is built around a typographic wordmark that has evolved from a red treatment to a more restrained black-and-white presentation.
Design and History
Adweek’s original print identity was created by designers Walter Bernard and Milton Glaser, who were brought in alongside legendary magazine editor Clay Felker to give the publication a more upscale, consumer-magazine look. Their work included Adweek’s trademark logo, which was set in a typeface called “Anzeigen Grotesk.” [1]
In April 2011, Adweek underwent a major redesign alongside its sister publications Brandweek and Mediaweek. The redesign was handled by the design firm Pentagram, which was hired to energize the layout, titles, and colors of the magazines. [2] As part of this refresh, the logo changed notably: Adweek dropped its red color in favor of a more refined black, and the typography was slightly lightened, with letters drawn toward their points. [3]
The 2011 redesign also coincided with the folding of Brandweek and Mediaweek into Adweek, as the latter’s print issues came to an end and Adweek.com was redesigned to incorporate their content. [4]
Adweek’s current wordmark, as described in a 2024 trademark filing by Adweek, LLC, consists of the word “ADWEEK” in capital letters set in a bolded, italicized font. [5]
Meaning and Symbolism
Documented symbolism for the Adweek wordmark is limited. The most concrete shift in meaning came with the 2011 redesign, when the publication moved from red to black. Contemporary design commentary described the change as Adweek leaving its red for a “more chic” black, suggesting a deliberate move toward a more sophisticated visual tone. [3]
Typography and Design
The original Adweek logo was set in “Anzeigen Grotesk,” a typeface chosen by Walter Bernard and Milton Glaser for the publication’s launch identity. [1] The 2011 Pentagram redesign adjusted this typography, slightly reducing the weight of the letterforms and extending their points. [3] The current mark, per the 2024 trademark filing, uses a bolded, italicized treatment of the wordmark in all capital letters. [5]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
