Australia – National public broadcaster Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has unveiled a refresh brand design for ABC News, including the return of its iconic news theme which was used from 1986 to 2005–now back in an updated arrangement and remix.
A redesign led by ABC in-house creative teams has created a brighter and more varied audience experience, with an expanded colour palette and a wider range of typefaces creating a more modern and engaging experience for audiences.
Moreover, the new graphic design incorporates shapes that are direct traces of the broadcaster’s master logo, the ABC Lissajous. The ABC NEWS logo also changes from black-and-white to a vibrant blue background that is more impactful and appealing on digital as well as broadcast.
Justin Stevens, ABC director of news, said, “We’re delighted to introduce an updated look and experience for the public however and whenever they use ABC NEWS across any platform. The new design is impactful and appealing for audiences and gives us a consistent look across all platforms. Our audience accesses our journalism across all platforms and mediums and the design needs to reflect that.”
He added, “The upgrade to the web and app improves the experience for users and adds features to let them personalise their news service. I’m thrilled to welcome back the iconic ABC NEWS theme. It captures the excitement and passion everyone in ABC NEWS has for news and current affairs.”
Meanwhile, The updated website goes live for all users from 6am AEST Monday with upgrades to the ABC NEWS app also to be rolled out soon.
“Our product and technology teams developed the new experience to relate to all Australians and showcase a breadth of content using modern design and engineering practices,” said Damian Cronan, chief digital and information officer at ABC.
He added, “We’ve modernised the digital experience for ABC News with a strong focus on personalisation so our diverse audiences can now get the breaking news and stories that are most relevant to them.”
In terms of the revamped news theme, the original theme was composed by Sydney arranger and keyboard player Tony Ansell and Peter Wall.
“I’m delighted it’s coming back – I think it’s our best work,” Peter said. “Many people grew up listening to it and it’s wonderful new audiences will now also be able to discover it. Tony’s arrangement and Dick Montz’s piccolo trumpet have really stood the test of time.”
“Peter and Tony’s composition is really quite brilliant,” David said. “The genre of ‘news theme’ is highly stylised. It has to have solidity and trustworthiness, suggest something important is coming and give a sense of immediacy and urgency. Their composition is a piece of music that has depth and power very rarely heard in other news themes.”
