While it feels a bit fresher than it’s predecessor, it still looks like something my grandpa would drink. This is certainly not the design to “woo old and new Budweiser drinkers,” or keep them ahead of the fast approaching #2 American beer, Coors Light, with its slim cans and cold brew detection.

Personally, I think the designers could have tossed back a few brews and come up with something a little more creative. It appears they want to keep their affectionate “bar call nickname,” Bud, just that. Their signature bowtie element, that is now the star of the can, has mysterious origins but it appears it was developed way back when for no other reason than to fit the entire “Budweiser” name and to prevent people from just calling it ‘Bud.’

This design feels a lot more “Clydesdale” than ‘This Bud’s For You.” Another interesting point — The design firm in charge of the re-brand of this American legend was a London firm, JKR.

But what if your product isn’t selling?

When music went digital, it immediately became one of the mainstays of pirates. Easy to copy, easy to steal, easy to download, free music almost became expected, the days of scrapping together some coin for vinyl long since passed. iTunes’ effort to curtail revenue loss to labels and musicians alike have only created indifference, if not resentment, toward purchasing music. It isn’t enough to sell songs individually, or whole albums. People want torrents, discographies. And they want them for free. Why stay in the game if you’re not going to net a profit?

Netflix has successfully (although recently more expensively) come up with one solution, offering country club style dues which give you access to a wide variety of content. But Netflix doesn’t do music, so we’re back to square one.

Enter Spotify. The European music sharing company hit U.S. shores today, offering invitation-based, free accounts and five and ten dollar monthly payments, which give you access to massive amounts of music available on your computer and even on your phone.

Is this another Napster? One might ask, recalling the short lived popularity of the free music-sharing site. Maybe. Probably not.

Despite a net loss of revenue last year, Spotify is confident that its stream-lined interface, and seemingly unlimited music access will entice enough U.S. consumers to turn a profit.

Is selling music in bulk the answer to selling music?

Only time will tell.

Kedgar and Jefferson have been hard at work preparing art for the MOCA show—opening January 21—and we’re glad to get a sneak peak with the release of these cover art and poster designs, up now at the museum. Full exhibit art coming soon!

In addition, the whole team has been cranking out posters for the 2010-2011 season of Players by the Sea. We are proud to have had the chance with the PBTS crew on their identity featured in the EU article, which Joe Schwartz, executive director, says “brought energy, life and professionalism to the organization’s efforts.”

Speaking of which, check out their awesome building transformation featuring the new identity below!

Players by the Sea

Speaking of The Full Monty, the entire gang here at B|G is excited about attending Thursday night’s performance, which will be sponsored by Dick’s Wings & Grill. The evening promises to be chock full of great entertainment, food and well…I won’t spoil it for the rest of you.

Rumor has it that tickets are selling like hotcakes, so if you still haven’t had a chance to come out and catch the show, you better hurry honey, ’cause “they’ve got the goods!”

The fourth season of my favorite show on television started with an off-camera voice asking “Who is Don Draper?” It’s a question that has been at the heart of the sublime AMC  series Mad Men, a show that brings to vivid life the world of 1960s Madison Avenue advertising. It’s also a show that asks brilliant questions about how we brand ourselves — namely, where does image end and true identity begin. With that in mind, I found a really cool little quiz that fans of Mad Men will probably find enlightening. Find out which show character you are.

For the record, I’m Betty Draper. Yuck.