Well, this is certainly a bold rebranding: the Akron Aeros are now the Akron RubberDucks (Class AA; Eastern League), as team owner Ken Babby unveils a new look.
“During this rebranding process, we listened to our fans,” Babby said. “It was evident that our fans wanted to honor the history of Akron and the rubber industry while creating a new identity that was fun, exciting, and family-friendly, just like our baseball team. We are proud to move forward as the Akron RubberDucks and look forward to creating many amazing memories for our great fans.”
A tenacious, tire-treaded RubberDuck makes up the centerpiece of the identity, surrounded by burn-out flames.The primary logo features the RubberDuck with the team moniker “RubberDucks” in a tread-style font. Fans will love the secondary logos such as the webbed-foot Akron “A” and various other tire-tread marks.
Blue Flame, Racing Yellow, Fire Orange and Tire Black comprise the club’s new official colors, paying tribute to Akron’s rubber heritage while celebrating the family-fun entertainment of Minor League Baseball. The Akron RubberDucks are the first professional baseball team to use this color combination.
“It was important to us that the new name was tied to Akron’s heritage. The rubber industry has deep roots in this city, and with the new Goodyear headquarters and the Bridgestone/Firestone Technology Center, it has a promising future,” said Akron RubberDucks general manager Jim Pfander. “We want the Akron RubberDucks to reflect the city’s proud history, but also a new generation of fans with a new era of fun at Canal Park.”
Despite the new identity, the franchise will be building upon the successful first-year foundation laid by new owner Ken Babby and general manager Jim Pfander. In 2013, the franchise recorded its highest single-season growth in attendance since moving to Akron in 1997. The club welcomed more than 295,000 fans to Canal Park in 2013, almost a 12 percent increase from 2012.
Brandiose, ther marketing firm that has worked with more than 60 minor and major league teams, helped bring the RubberDucks to life. After meeting with fans, staff, and community members to better learn their perspective and better understand the history of Akron, Brandiose partnered with the team’s front office leadership to develop the logos, uniforms and forthcoming mascot.
The Akron RubberDucks will unveil their new uniforms for the 2014 season at a later date.
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