The Evolution of Red Bull’s Iconic Logo

The Red Bull Logo

For nearly three decades, Red Bull has embraced the slogan “it gives people wings.” Founded in 1987, Red Bull didn’t just introduce a new product; it created an entirely new category: energy drinks. From its inception to the present, much like the recognizable Amazon Logo, we’ll explore the evolution of Red Bull and its iconic logo.

The Red Bull Logo and the History of the Company

Most companies, boasting a 30-year history, would have updated or redesigned their logo to some extent. However, this isn’t the case for Red Bull. They had a clear vision from the start, capturing it perfectly in their infamous logo. This foresight has allowed Red Bull to maintain a consistent brand identity, now recognized in almost every country, since its inception. Such unwavering clarity is something every logo design agency strives to achieve for their clients.

In the world of iconic branding, the Red Bull logo design stands out, resonating globally. Whether you’re a seasoned graphic designer or new to visual creativity, the history and evolution of the Red Bull logo offer valuable lessons. From its 1980s inception to contemporary tweaks, the emblem’s simplicity, color scheme, and symbolism exemplify effective branding, serving as an excellent example for those seeking top-notch logo design services.

In this article, we delve into the fascinating journey of the Red Bull logo, exploring its origins, the thought process behind its creation, and its evolution over the years. So grab a drink (perhaps a Red Bull?), and join us in unraveling a design that has fueled a brand for decades. The history of the Red Bull logo dates back to 1987 when company owner Dietrich Mateschitz tasted the Thai energy drink “Krating Daeng” (which means “red bull” in English). Inspired, he envisioned a new product and its logo almost immediately, setting the foundation for what would become an iconic logo design company.

Have you ever imagined growing wings after drinking an energy drink? The owners of Red Bull did! That’s why they chose the slogan “Red Bull gives you wings.” Red Bull traces its roots to Karting DEng, a celebrated Thai energy drink. Karting DEng, translating to Red Bull, was popular among working-class people, particularly truck drivers, for its energy-boosting ingredients like taurine, caffeine, and sugar. This mix reduces mental stress, improves endurance, increases alertness, and rejuvenates the body, making Red Bull more than just a soft drink.

It’s no surprise that Red Bull is a favorite among athletes, drivers, politicians, musicians, and others with active lifestyles. Red Bull’s global fame is thanks to Austrian entrepreneur Dietrich Mateschitz, who teamed up with Yoovidhya to launch Red Bull in Austria in 1987.

Dietrich and his partner not only formulated a potent drink but also developed a practical marketing concept around an impressive NYC logo design. The trademark features two fighting bulls in front of a golden ring, symbolizing energy, stamina, and action. Under the leadership of Austrian brand owner Dietrich Mateschitz, Red Bull’s ventures into art, racing, flying, and even space have made the brand — and its logo — a global phenomenon.

Mateschitz’s company added immense value to the brand through experience and communication, but they wisely retained the original design of the Thai energy drink logo, recognizing its inherent value. Sometimes, knowing when not to meddle with the magic is what preserves the magic itself.

To achieve a similar level of branding success, businesses often seek professional logo design services. Engaging a reputable logo design company in Florida or business logo design agency can make a significant difference. These firms offer professional logo design services tailored to your brand’s needs.

Whether you need a custom logo design company or a custom logo design agency, finding the right professional logo designers can elevate your brand. If you’re searching for “logo designers near me,” consider these tips to ensure you partner with experts who understand your vision and can deliver a logo that stands the test of time, just like Red Bull’s iconic emblem.

The History of The Company

Red Bull, founded in 1987, revolutionized energy drinks with its slogan “give people wings.” Over the past three decades, the iconic logo and product category have evolved.

1987 — Present

Red Bull’s logo, with a 30-year history, has remained unchanged, showcasing their vision and product familiarity in almost every country, despite the company’s need for updates or expansions.

Red Bull Logo Shape and Symbol

Red Bull’s trademark features two fighting bulls in a golden ring, symbolizing energy, stamina, and action. The logo’s durability and lasting impact make it a powerful statement for the company over the years.

The Bulls

The Red Bull symbol represents work ethic, strength, confidence, stability, and stamina, while bulls convey fertility, farming, teamwork, and helpfulness. The slogan inspires physical self-improvement through a well-chosen graphic design.

The Circle

The large golden circle, behind two bulls, symbolizes life, light, energy, influence, growth, power, health, passion, completeness, and timelessness in some traditions.

The Color Scheme

The can’s logo and wordmark feature red, symbolizing love, passion, strength, courage, danger, willpower, action, energy, and enthusiasm. Red is used in bullfights to mask blood, but it also represents courage and energy. Gold is used as a backdrop for bulls, representing wealth, lavishness, and success, and conveying feelings of freshness, energy, and happiness.

The History of Red Bull

Red Bull is an energy drink, first sold in Australia in 1987. It is the number one selling energy drink in the world. But who founded Red Bull, and what is the history behind it?

Its Founders

It would be hard to accredit one individual for being the founder of Red Bull. Although it was the idea of Dietrich Mateschitz to nationalize the drink, a concept or version of a Red Bull was already in existence.

Dietrich Mateschitz discovered Krating Daeng, a energized beverage in Thailand, during a business trip. He collaborated with its creator, Chaleo Yoovidhya, to popularize the drink. Initially designed for farmers, laborers, and lower social classes, Dietrich repurposed it for the wealthy and founded Red Bull in 1984.

Marketing Success

Since 1997, Red Bull has been promoting its slogan “Red Bull gives you wings” through animated commercials featuring squint-like characters. The company’s international marketing campaign is linked to extreme sports, music, video games, and celebrities.

The brand is associated with first-ever events, art shows, and football teams in Austria, Germany, the US, and Brazil.

The Timeline

If you thought Red Bull was only about an energy drink, you’d be mistaken. Red Bull celebrates the courageous feats of athleticism and music over their thirty-plus years of history. Here are just a few of the notable moments for the company:

1987:

In 1987, Red Bull was unveiled in Austria. Within a year, a million cans were consumed.

1988:

Red Bull held its first-ever Red Bull Event, the Dolomitenmann (named for the location of the event in Italy). This is a race of four-men teams that include a mountain runner, paraglider, mountain biker, and whitewater kayaker. The competitions have been going on for over 30 years.

1989:

Austrian race car driver, Gerhard Berger, becomes Red Bull’s first official athlete.

1992:

Red Bull was on the market in Germany and the United Kingdom. That was also the year of the first Red Bull Flugtag Held in Vienna. That is a competition of teams to build homemade, human-powered flying machines to see how far they can fly.

1994:

Red Bull signed the first global sports stars, windsurfers Robby Naish and Bjorn Dunkerbeck.

1995:

Red Bull makes its F1 debut with Team Sauber.

1997:

Red Bull entered the U.S. market initially focused on California, Oregon, Texas, and Colorado, before spreading to other states. It was during this time the company focused on aggressive marketing by magnifying its slogan, Red Bull gives you wings. That was also the year Red Bull cliff diving debuted in France.

1998:

The first-ever Red Bull Music Academy takes place. In-depth interviews with some of music’s most creative and inspiring minds took place, spanning two decades and hundreds of artists.

1999:

Red Bull becomes King of the Air. In this competition, the world’s best kiteboards take it to the skies. The athletes attempt to outdo each other with the highest jumps and most insane tricks. That was also the year of the Founding of the Flying Bulls. The Flying Bulls consist of aviation enthusiasts with a passion for restoring rare historical aeroplanes and helicopters, and they perform air shows.

2001:

Red Bull sells its one billionth can of energy drink.

2002:

The first U.S. Red Bull Flugtag was held. That took place in San Francisco, CA.

2003:

Red Bull energy drink became sugar-free, and they launched an explosive campaign about sustainability. Dressed from head to toe in the Red Bull logo, Austrian daredevil Felix Baumgartner swept over the white cliffs of Dover to become the first flying human to cross the English Channel. The first Red Bull music studios opened in California.

2005:

Red Bull Racing was founded.

2006:

The Red Bull Tour bus is unveiled, and the NASCAR Red Bull racing team is founded.

2007:

The Red Bull music label is founded in Los Angeles, CA to promote musical diversity across a wide range of genres.

2008:

ORGANICS by Red Bull: Simply Cola is launched. Carefully selected plant extracts, caffeine from natural sources, and concentrated organic lemon juice with a unique cola taste.

2009:

German native, Sebastian Vettel claims first win for Red Bull Racing.

2011:

Red Bull Flugtag marks its 100th edition. Red Bull launches Editions. The energy drink has the same benefit, but different tastes. Flavors in pomegranate, watermelon, coconut, berry, tropical fruits, blueberry, and peach.

2014:

Red Bull launches Winter Edition. The new Red Bull Winter Edition combines the pleasantly tart taste of Pomegranate and winterly spices.

First-ever Wings for Life Runs is launched. More than 25,000 competitors (runners) representing 32 countries took part in the race to find a cure for spinal cord injuries.

2016:

The first-ever Red Bull Mind Gamers is launched.

2017:

ORGANICS by Red Bull launch in Austria.

2018:

Red Bull Conquest Tournament Series begins.

2019:

First Red Bull Three-Time Basketball Tournament. First Red Bull Dance Your Style World Final in Paris.

2020:

Invitation Only: Red Bull BC One Battle-X Russia.

Why Does the Red Bull Logo Work?

Red Bull’s logo has not changed since its inception. That is nothing more than miraculous, considering the company has had nothing but overwhelming success since the beginning and has never looked back. It’s fair to say that the logo works. It’s one of the most recognized logos in the world. Here are some reasons why it works:

• It’s Unique: The Red Bull logo is a unique trademark in the beverage industry. The presence of the fierce bulls, the solar disc, and the custom wordmark elevate the emblem above the competition. These distinctive elements are highly recognizable. People immediately know the brand it represents when they see it.

• It’s Readable: The logo is coherent, no matter the distance you’re spotting it from. Consumers can easily read, identify, and understand the emblem.

• It’s Memorable: When something is impressive, it sticks with you. Red Bull’s trademark is impressive, so people remember it. Its catchy graphic features make the logo unforgettable.

• It’s a Classic: You often hear the saying that less is more. It’s a true statement, and Red Bull’s logo proves that. The Red Bull logo gives consumers every opportunity to identify and recall its visual diplomat. This is done with the designer only using three design elements to evoke the brand’s charisma effectively.

• It’s Scalable: In its minimalist form, the Red Bull logo is elastic on multiple advertising mediums. The simple layout makes it easier for marketing channels to support. The logo flows well.

Red Bull Today

Red Bull, founded in 1987, is the industry leader in the energy drink market, with a 43% share in 2020. The company, headquartered in Austria, operates in 171 countries and sold almost 8 billion cans in 2020. Despite competition from Coca-Cola, Pepsi Cola, Monster, and Rockstar, Red Bull remains unique with its distinct taste and personality. The company’s logo remains a classic, memorable, and scalable symbol, making it a timeless favorite.

FAQs

When was Red Bull founded?

Red Bull was founded in 1987 in Austria by Dietrich Mateschitz, who was inspired by a Thai energy drink called Krating Daeng.

What was Red Bull’s first major event?

The first major event was the Dolomitenmann in 1988, a challenging race involving a mountain runner, paraglider, mountain biker, and whitewater kayaker.

Who was Red Bull’s first official athlete?

In 1989, Austrian race car driver Gerhard Berger became Red Bull’s first official athlete, marking the company’s entry into sports sponsorship.

When did Red Bull enter the U.S. market?

Red Bull entered the U.S. market in 1997, initially focusing on California, Oregon, Texas, and Colorado, with an aggressive marketing campaign.

What is Red Bull Flugtag?

Red Bull Flugtag, first held in 1992 in Vienna, is a competition where teams build and pilot human-powered flying machines to see how far they can fly.

What significant achievement did Red Bull reach in 2001?

In 2001, Red Bull celebrated a major milestone by selling its one billionth can of energy drink, showcasing its rapid growth and popularity.

When was Red Bull Racing founded?

Red Bull Racing was founded in 2005, marking Red Bull’s official entry into Formula 1 racing, a sport where it has achieved significant success.

What is unique about Red Bull’s logo?

Red Bull’s logo, featuring two charging bulls in front of a golden disc, has remained unchanged since its inception, symbolizing energy and power.

What are the key ingredients in Red Bull?

The key ingredients in Red Bull include caffeine, taurine (artificially created), sucrose, glucose, alpine spring water, and essential vitamins.

How much market share does Red Bull hold?

As of 2020, Red Bull held a dominant 43% share of the global energy drink market, maintaining its position as the industry leader.

Conclusion

Red Bull’s journey from its inception in 1987 to its current global dominance is a testament to its unwavering commitment to innovation and excellence. With iconic events like the Dolomitenmann and Red Bull Flugtag, and groundbreaking achievements such as selling its one billionth can in 2001, Red Bull has redefined what it means to be a beverage company.

Its timeless logo, embodying strength and vitality, continues to captivate consumers worldwide, solidifying Red Bull’s status as an industry leader. As Red Bull continues to inspire with its events, flavors, and unwavering brand identity, one thing remains clear: the sky’s the limit for this iconic energy drink.