modcomms/reference_docs/brand/Brand-architecture-guidelines.md
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Brand architecture

Discover how we brand new propositions

BARCLAYS

Version 2 April 2024

RESTRICTED EXTERNAL: This document is for use only by Barclays employees and their nominated agencies.

This document has been optimised for digital and should not be printed where possible.


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Introduction

As a pioneering business we always have new initiatives in the pipeline. So, to support these initiatives with impactful, best practice branding and in parallel ensure that we maintain and build equity in our Masterbrand, we've developed this branding guidance for new propositions. This guidance is intended to give an indication of the appropriate approach to branding new propositions within the Barclays brand architecture, before beginning consultation with the Group Brand team.

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Brand strategy

Barclays has and continues to adopt the One Barclays brand strategy.

Our strategy enables us to:

  • Maximise external brand equity

  • Minimise internal duplication and reduce inefficiencies

  • Streamline trademark and legal costs

  • Manage our brand more easily

  • Optimise our marketing investment.

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Our core brands

Masterbrand Sub-brand

BARCLAYS barclaycard

Each of our core brands may have endorsed brands and/or partnerships/sponsorships.

This guidance focuses on how to classify new Barclays propositions in relation to our Masterbrand and within our brand architecture.

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Building and protecting our brand

Within our brand architecture, there are four ways to codify the relationships between branded assets and the Masterbrand:

Masterbrand Endorsed Brand Separate Partnerships and Sponsorships
Decreasing level of equity and control from the masterbrand → Independent scenario
Masterbrand only with separate descriptor
MASTERBRAND
Masterbrand and linked signposting
MASTERBRAND
SIGNPOSTING
Masterbrand extension with or without wordmark
MASTERBRAND
EXTENSION
Strongly endorsed brand
MASTERBRAND
OFFERING NAME
One-step removed from Masterbrand
Lightly endorsed brand
MASTERBRAND
OFFERING NAME
Standalone brand
No link to masterbrand
BRAND X
Two-steps removed from Masterbrand Masterbrand and partner or sponsored brand
MASTER BRAND PARTNER

Note: This scenario should only be used when working with external partners, and never when branding our own entities.

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Brand strategy

Brand architecture

Brand expression

Summary

Illustrative examples, visualising how each relationship might be represented.

Masterbrand Endorsed Brand Separate Partnerships and Sponsorships
MASTERBRAND MASTERBRAND
OFFERING NAME
BRAND X MASTER BRAND PARTNER
MASTERBRAND
SIGNPOSTING
MASTERBRAND
EXTENSION
MASTERBRAND
OFFERING NAME
MASTERBRAND
OFFERING NAME

Decreasing level of equity and control from the masterbrand Independent scenario

Brand Examples:

Masterbrand:

  • BARCLAYS

Masterbrand with Extensions:

  • BARCLAYS | Private Bank
  • BARCLAYS | LifeSkills
  • BARCLAYS | Eagle Labs

Endorsed Brand:

  • rise (Powered by BARCLAYS)

Separate:

  • CLYDE PLACE (BARCLAYS)

Partnerships and Sponsorships:

  • BARCLAYS | Premier League

There is no current example of this brand scenario within Barclays.

Method of endorsement can be visual or verbal, depending on individual brief, target audience or how close the entity is to the Masterbrand.

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Indicators of when to use the Masterbrand

Masterbrand

Masterbrand only
and separate descriptor
Masterbrand
Signposting

Masterbrand
and linked signposting
• Offering is linked to the core business of Barclays (e.g. financial services)

• Offering is usually targeting an existing audience group with awareness of Barclays

• Offering does not involve any visible third parties

• Offering does not involve conflicts with existing products or services.

Signposting:

• Signposting is reserved for specialised areas of the business where there is strategic rationale for creating distinction

• All instances of signposting must be approved by the Group Brand team.

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Indicators of when to use a Masterbrand extension

Masterbrand • Masterbrand extensions broaden the perception of Barclays' remit and help Barclays build credibility in new areas

• Offering is core to the Barclays business and Masterbrand, but is in an area that Barclays wants to specifically highlight and build reputation in

• Offering is usually targeting an existing audience group with awareness of Barclays

• Offering does not involve any visible third parties

• Offering does not involve conflicts with existing products or services

• All Masterbrand extensions must be approved by the Group Brand team.
Extension
Masterbrand
with or without wordmark

Brand strategy Brand architecture Brand expression
Summary

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Indicators of when to use a strongly endorsed brand

Masterbrand

Offering name
Branded offering with strong endorsement • Strongly endorsed brands have strong future market potential and drive reconsideration of the Barclays brand

• Offering is not core, but is complementary, to the core business of Barclays and the Masterbrand

• Offering may be targeting an entirely new audience group with little or no awareness of Barclays

• Offering needs a specific brand communication beyond the usual Barclays Masterbrand

• Offering does not involve visible third parties.

* Note: While offerings may start as an endorsed brand, in some instances these entities may adopt a transition strategy to become part of the Masterbrand.

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Indicators of when to use a lightly endorsed brand

Masterbrand

Offering name


Branded offering with
light endorsement
• Offering is not core to the Barclays business or Masterbrand

• Offering may require independence and impartiality from Barclays to compete effectively in market

• Offering may be targeting an entirely new audience group with little or no awareness of Barclays

• Offering needs a specific brand communication beyond the usual Barclays Masterbrand

• Offering involves potential conflicts with existing products or services

• Offering is a test and learn where the risk to the Masterbrand and the offering lifespan is unknown

• Offering does not involve visible third parties.

* Note: While offerings may start as an endorsed brand, in some instances these entities may adopt a transition strategy to become part of the Masterbrand.

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Indicators of when to use a separate brand

Brand X

Standalone brand
No link to Barclays

  • Offering is not aligned to the business of Barclays
  • Offering has a reputation risk for the Masterbrand
  • Offering has legal reasons preventing it from being associated with the Masterbrand
  • Offering is a joint venture being launched with a third party
  • Barclays does not have control of the brand or business.

Note: The separate brand approach should only be used in a rare minority of cases, as it does not help to build equity in the Masterbrand.

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Barclays brand architecture and brand expression

The visual expression of our branded assets is a powerful way of reinforcing the closeness (or distance) of their relationship to the Barclays Masterbrand. To guide in the development of this visual expression we have established the following principles which determine which elements of the Barclays toolkit must and must not be used and where additional areas of flex are allowed.

  • Our sacred assets are the elements which most powerfully signal Barclays. The logo and Eagle are only used by the Barclays Masterbrand and Masterbrand extensions. Cyan is used by endorsed brands to create a visual link to the Barclays Masterbrand.

  • Strongly and lightly endorsed brands feature the Barclays logo in their communications but only in the form of an approved endorsement lock-up. Strongly endorsed brands may also use the Portal if there is a strong rationale.

  • The elements of the Barclays brand expression which support the sacred assets, but which are not unique signals of Barclays, such as the Global Digital Expression (GDE), graphic style and Barclays typefaces must be used by endorsed brands. This will assist in the speed and cost of developing the expression of these brands, as well as making future migration of lightly endorsed brands to strongly endorsed brands an easier process. These elements support, but do not restrict the unique expression of the endorsed brands.

  • Endorsed brands are allowed to use elements such as the Barclays photographic style, but where required to support the uniqueness of their offer, can supplement their expression by using wordmarks, graphic devices, photography and/ or illustration styles from outside of the Barclays brand expression. The elements of flex, as well as the elements that are fixed, are shown on the following pages.

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Barclays brand architecture V2 April 2024

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Brand strategy

Brand architecture

Brand expression

Summary

Masterbrand

Fixed

Barclays brand expression.

Logo Eagle Cyan Portal
Font Colour Photography Graphic style
Motion Global Digital Expression

Flex

Signposts are allowed when approved via the Big Ticket process. Note: Additional flex that has been granted to your Business Unit should also be taken into account.

Signposts

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Masterbrand extension

Fixed

Barclays brand expression.

Logo
BARCLAYS with blue eagle logo
Eagle
Blue eagle symbol
Cyan
Solid cyan square
Portal
Cyan square with magenta square inside
Font
Barclays Effra
Arial
Colour
Color palette swatches in various colors
Photography
Images showing people and scenes
Graphic style
Charts and graphic elements
Motion
ALWAYS MOVING.
WE NEVER STOP.
Global Digital Expression
Digital interface elements

Flex

In some instances, a wordmark may be created. Barclays Effra must be used when typesetting the name of the extension to create the wordmark. The wordmark should be displayed using the signposting style. The creation of any new wordmark should first be strategically approved via the Big Ticket process.

Extension name
in Barclays Effra,
no symbols

New Pro
New
Pro

Signposts

Crossed signpost example

Crossed elements must not be used

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Strongly endorsed brand

Fixed

Strongly endorsed brands use the Barclays brand expression elements, however the logo may only appear within the endorsement lock-up and the Eagle must not be used. When using the colour palette, cyan must always be present and feature prominently.

Endorsement BARCLAYS BARCLAYS
BARCLAYS

Cyan [Cyan color block]

Colour [Color palette grid showing various colors]

Font Barclays Effra Arial

Photography [Image showing people in what appears to be a retail/business environment]

Graphic style [Graphic showing charts and business icons]

Motion ALWAYS MOVING. WE NEVER STOP.

Global Digital Expression [Interface elements showing navigation dots and controls]

Logo BARCLAYS

Eagle [Eagle symbol]

Flex

The name of the offer must be typeset in Barclays Effra to create the wordmark. An optional graphic device can be developed to add uniqueness to the visual expression, but should not be used to create a logo. The Portal may be introduced to maintain and build equity in the Masterbrand if there is a strong rationale. The creation of any new brand expression assets, as well as a new, endorsed brand expression, must be signed off via the Big Ticket process.

Name in Effra, no symbols NewPro

Communicates that we are behind a technological or entrepreneurial offering BARCLAYS

Communicates that we are behind an offering BARCLAYS

Communicates that we are behind an offering BARCLAYS

Graphic device Bespoke graphic device optional

Portal [Blue and magenta rectangular blocks]

Signposts [Crossed out signpost examples]

Extension name in Barclays Effra, no symbols [Crossed out extension examples]

Crossed elements must not be used [Large crossed out X symbol]

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Lightly endorsed brand

Fixed

Uses the Barclays brand expression, but the logo, Eagle and Portal must not be used. The logo and Eagle only appear within the endorsement lock-up. When using the colour palette, cyan must be present, but it does not need to feature prominently.

Endorsement Cyan Colour Font
Photography Graphic style Motion Global Digital Expression
~~Logo~~ ~~Eagle~~ ~~Portal~~

Flex

The name of the offer must be typeset in Barclays Effra to create the wordmark. An optional graphic device can be developed to add uniqueness to the visual expression, but should not be used to create a logo, unless there is a strong strategic rationale. The Barclays photography style, or new photography and illustration styles, can be used. The creation of any new brand expression assets, as well as a new, endorsed brand expression, must be signed off via the Big Ticket process.

Name in Barclays Effra, no symbols Communicates that an offering is for everyone, not just for Barclays customers Communicates that we are behind a technological or entrepreneurial offering Bespoke graphic device optional
Photography Bespoke photography style optional Bespoke illustration style optional Graphic device
Signposts Extension name in Barclays Effra, no symbols Crossed elements must not be used

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How our brand architecture influences our branded assets and the level of equity shared with the Masterbrand

Masterbrand Endorsed Brand Separate Partnerships and Sponsorships
Masterbrand Masterbrand signpost Masterbrand extension Branded offering with strong endorsement Branded offering with light endorsement Standalone brand Partnership or Sponsorship
MASTERBRAND MASTERBRAND
SIGNPOSTING
MASTERBRAND
EXTENSION
MASTERBRAND
OFFERING NAME
MASTERBRAND
OFFERING NAME
BRAND X MASTER BRAND PARTNER
Masterbrand only with separate descriptor Masterbrand and linked signposting Masterbrand with or without wordmark Branded offering with strong endorsement Branded offering with light endorsement Standalone brand
No link to masterbrand
Independent scenario
Strategy
• Fully aligned to Masterbrand strategy (Purpose, Values, Personality).

Visual expression
• Fully follows Masterbrand guidelines and core principles, including Business Unit flexes where relevant.
Strategy
• Fully aligned to Masterbrand strategy
• May have a nuanced proposition to be more relevant to target audience
• Signposting is used to aid navigation to a core, but specialised, area of the business that requires separate identification.

Visual expression
• Fully follows Masterbrand guidelines.
Strategy
• Fully aligned to Masterbrand strategy (Purpose, Values, Personality)
• Core to the Barclays business and Masterbrand, but is in an area that Barclays wants to specifically highlight and build reputation in.

Visual expression
• Fully follows Masterbrand guidelines and core principles.
• In some instances, a wordmark may be created.
Strategy
• Not core, but complementary, to the Barclays business and Masterbrand today
• Help broaden the perception of Barclays and help Barclays build credibility in new areas
• May become core in the future.

Visual expression
• One step removed from the Masterbrand.
Strategy
• Not core to the Barclays business or Masterbrand today
• Help Barclays build familiarity with new audiences and markets, without being constrained by existing associations of the Masterbrand
• Protect the Masterbrand during a test and learn.

Visual expression
• Two steps removed from the Masterbrand.
Strategy
• Not directly aligned to the Masterbrand, has a unique brand strategy.

Visual expression
• Has a unique visual identity.
Note: This scenario should only be used when working with external partners, and never when branding our own entities.

Brand strategy Brand architecture Brand expression Summary

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< Previous

Overview Further information

Brand strategy

Brand architecture

Brand expression

Summary

Questions

If you have any additional questions or wish to begin consultation about branding a new proposition, please contact the Group Brand team:

brand@barclays.com