New Microsoft brand logos, company tagline revealed at MGX event? (update: no new logos, tagline is a go)

It looks like Microsoft may have revealed something big at its annual MGX (Microsoft Global Exchange) event, namely... new logos for its main brands and a fresh brand motto. "Be What's Next" touts a teaser which has been posted on YouTube, along with a fast moving sequence of morphing logos, shuffling from Windows, to Windows Phone, Xbox, Bing, and finally the familiar Office logo that's been kicking around for a little longer. It's unclear if these are just treatments used for a promo at the event, or if this is a signal that Redmond is dumping its familiar (and frankly dated) iconography for something a little looser, leaner, and hipper, but we can't say it would be a bad thing. It would certainly make sense against a backdrop of potential comeback in the mobile space, gains in search, and the seemingly successful (or at least satisfying) Windows 7 launch. One thing is for sure, MGX is a corporate, non-public opportunity for the Microsoft faithful to cheer the brand (Ballmer received a 30 year commemoration at MGX 2010), so this would definitely be the place to unfurl some new branding. Check the video after the break to see the new style, and hit the gallery below for a bigger look.

Update: So... the YouTube video has been pulled. Fear not, we've got our own copy!

Update 2: We've just been contacted by Microsoft and told that these are not new logos which will be used on products, rather a standalone treatment to show the flexibility of joined brands. However, the "Be What's Next" tagline is real, and will be showing up here and there.

[Thanks, Anonymous]

New Microsoft logos?

[R94N Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:30PM]

@HighestRanked2 yeah - I just have a strange fear that I'll get downranked. My true opinion is a lot more stronger than that :D

[shift123 Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:01PM]

I Can make that in Windows 7 Paint No Joke!

[isotrex Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:03PM]

They'd better change the logo cause google already did something to them http://i28.tinypic.com/2gy6o8l.jpg

haha j/k

That looks simple and good IMHO.

[marmaduke Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:06PM]

"copy what's last"

[Gandalf20000 Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:17PM]

Thank goodness they're not changing the logos, those looked terrible!

[thumbtack Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:32PM]

I don't mind dated logos, to be honest. As long as it's a good logo, it works for me. Besides, Apple hasn't changed their logo (or at least its shape) since they dumped that one with the guy under the tree.

Speaking of which, if I ever get an Apple device custom-painted I think I'll have that logo put on it.

[Hydra Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:33PM]

I like the new symbols? I'm so sick o the same old windows "window" shape, ready for it to be gone

[jek Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:37PM]

Office and Windows look good but the original bing type-logo was better. The tag line is terrible. The good thing is that no-one cares about tag lines, logos on the other hand I think can be very important.

[kcls Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:40PM]

They look like those shaped rubber bands...

[Diondon Posted Jul 22nd 2010 4:54PM]

*blank stare* Huh?

[Wesscoast Posted Jul 22nd 2010 5:13PM]

Be What's Next???

But you're just... copying Apple...

Dude, you guys are supposed to be a Business Productivity Company ... Windows and Office... That's where you actually make successful products.. BE WHATS NEXT??

[iHakr Posted Jul 22nd 2010 5:16PM]

Oh please, do not try to sell Microsoft / Windows flavored Silly Bands.

[aikiwolfie Posted Jul 22nd 2010 7:41PM]

I'm wondering how much a small school child with some crayons charged them for this? Microsoft needs to learn that if it wants to do better business and move the needle on it's stock price then it needs to do business better and stop dicking everybody around.

[izikavazo Posted Jul 22nd 2010 8:46PM]

So I guess Zune will stay the same. It would already fit in among these other logos.

[wweedwwaruncee Posted Jul 22nd 2010 10:18PM]

Windows! You idiot! Those new logos are AMAZING!

[Zhuzhu Posted Jul 22nd 2010 11:04PM]

Be what was Apple

[Chassit Posted Jul 22nd 2010 11:14PM]

New logos feel OK to me except for the Windows one.

Are they trying to say "Hey guys! Windows is no longer there! Now you see it, now you don't!"

[pabst504 Posted Jul 22nd 2010 11:50PM]

WTF

[DrScope Posted Jul 23rd 2010 3:38AM]

BE WHAT'S NEXT????
WHAT? TAKE A NUMBER AND WAIT IN LINE??? XD

[HeadStudiosInc Posted Jul 23rd 2010 11:19AM]

ok its like those silly bandz things haha id buy those!
but if this was the logo i kinda like the idea of a minimalist modern design but the xbox one was pretty stupid

[clydeseal Posted Jul 23rd 2010 3:22PM]

The new logos are kind of... empty