Here’s the new look, with Universal’s press release below:
Los Angeles, CA, March 1, 2012 — As part of Universal Pictures’ yearlong Centennial celebration, the studio will reveal an updated animated logo in honor of its 100th anniversary, it was announced today. The new animated logo will make its debut with Universal and Illumination Entertainment’s 3D-CG feature Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, which is being released in theaters nationwide on March 2, and it will be used on all film releases going forward. The new logo honors the authenticity of the brand and pays homage to the studio’s rich film history, cultural impact and global vision (A static version of this logo is featured at the top of this release). This is the seventh incarnation of an animated logo created for the motion-picture studio since its inception.
“Our Centennial year is the perfect opportunity to create a new logo that reflects our future while honoring our past,” said Ron Meyer, Universal Studios President and COO. “Universal’s new logo celebrates the studio’s extraordinary legacy in creating lasting movie memories and connecting viewers across the globe.”
For the new animated logo design, Universal teamed up with the Academy Award®-winning visual effects artists at New Zealand-based Weta Digital to capture Universal’s vision for a contemporary logo that stayed true to the company’s legacy identity of a “global vision.” The visual dynamic of the new logo was inspired by satellite imagery that illustrated a view of the world on a clear night from space. Rather than focusing on the continents and physical boundaries that separate people, the new view is highlighted with tiny points of bright lights that pop across the globe—symbolizing the thousands of communities brought together by their shared love of film.
In combination with the animated logo, award-winning film composer Brian Tyler (Fast and Furious franchise) provided a new arrangement of Jerry Goldsmith’s classic score, which has accompanied the logo since 1997. The iconic theme of Goldsmith’s original composition remains, but the orchestration has been bolstered with a choir, new string parts and drum cadence utilizing world percussion instruments.
“We wanted to utilize the classic melody that we all know and bring it into the 21st century, while still being very respectful of what Jerry Goldsmith did originally,” said Tyler. “I wanted it to be a celebration of all the great movies Universal has done over the years—connecting the past to the present.”
In addition to the new logo, other key Universal Centennial initiatives include: a major film restoration commitment, home entertainment offerings, theme park celebrations and a special anniversary gala featuring many of the filmmakers and artists who shaped the studios’ history. In addition, the studio will spotlight the 100th anniversary throughout various worldwide film festivals and other featured events, panels and activities. At the center of all online initiatives lies a rich, robust Website dedicated to all things related to the yearlong celebration of Universal’s 100th anniversary. For more information, please visit http://Universal100th.com.



Cool, I can’t wait to see the new logo in motion. Hope someone puts it on YouTube or something so I can see it earlier.
Wow! In the exciting world of animated studio logos, this has got be as exciting as it gets, which means, um, really — does anyone care? Then you start thinking about the rich history of Universal animation and — well, you can’t think of anything except maybe a couple of passable Woody Woodpecker cartoons and a Chilly Willy directed by Tex Avery. Otherwise, Universal and animation go together like Abbott and…uh, Windex. That is, they don’t really go together.
And American Tail, Land Before Time, and the new Illumination Entertainment work. You also forget Oswald the Rabbit. It might not be Warner or Disney, but it’s significant.
@King of Cartoons – I think the guy above you really does!
The perspective is off, UNIVERSAL appears to be tilting to the left and the sun is really unrealistically high on the horizon and they should have used the original “serif” font.