As a name, Reputation Matters reflects wordplay. Some may say it’s punny; others may groan.
Because the word matters is both a noun and a verb, the name can have two distinct meanings: first, as a topic or focus, as in “Reputation is our bread and butter,” and also as a simple, declarative statement, as in “Your reputation matters!”
Reputation Matters brand
Our brand dates to 2013, when Reputation Matters was a burgeoning blog, one communications professional’s experiment with an evolving channel and his online portfolio. The inaugural post mused on the matter while making a case for “Why reputations matter” (you may need to scroll to the bottom of the page).
“A brand is a promise,” said Muhtar Kent, former chairman and CEO of The Coca-Cola Company. “A good brand is a promise kept.”
Logo
The blue and orange Reputation Matters logo comprises an eye-shaped icon (eye-con) and the logotype of the business name.
The eye represents sight. Seeing how someone or something behaves and acts often informs our reactions. Is our response one of comfort, questioning, fight, or flight? Trust, alert, defense, or escape?
The icon is composed of dots in the shape of an eye with circular strokes, which move clockwise, forming its iris. The initials RM signify the pupil, reminding us that reputations matter.
The dots of varying weights and sizes represent the many distinct observations that shape our opinions, while the clockwise strokes reinforce that trust is earned, neither permanent nor static.
Visually and mentally, our brain connects the dots, much like people take information from different communications channels to connect ideas and tell stories. The clockwise motion reflects a sense of continually looking ahead without forgetting the past.
Tagline
“Build your reputation. Safeguard your brand.” was added as the brand’s tagline in 2020 to remind us that reputations are carefully built and incredibly fragile.
It takes many good deeds to build a good reputation, and only one bad one to lose it.
> Benjamin Franklin
As Benjamin Franklin astutely observed, every interaction you have with someone is an opportunity to earn their trust. Yet, each interaction is also an opportunity to let someone down. As a result, the tagline stands alongside the logo to remind us that avoiding unintentional bad deeds and recovering swiftly and genuinely when errors happen are vital to managing your reputation effectively.
Colors
Blue traditionally is the color of trust, responsibility, and relaxation. It is soothing yet commands authority. In contrast, orange is cheerful and optimistic, energetic, spontaneous, and dynamic.
Just as blue and orange are complementary colors, their symbolic meanings reflect a combination of stability and change, confidence and hope.
Typography
Reputation Matters uses Poppins for its logotype and all typography.
Poppins is a modern sans serif typeface.
Editorial Style
Just as the brand’s punny name creates opportunities for wordplay, it can also lead to grammatical confusion.
When referring to the business, Reputation Matters, the R and M are capitalized like any proper noun, as “What people are saying about Reputation Matters.” In contrast, when referring to reputation matters more generally, the R and M are set in lower case letters, such as “Musings on reputation matters.”
Sometimes, both meanings are implied: “Why reputation matters,” as “why care about your reputation” and “why choose us.” In those instances, we favor the lower case, as, in the end, everyone’s reputation matters more than Reputation Matters.
We are committed to helping you manage your reputation matters whenever you need us most.
That is our promise to you, and it is one that we will work very hard to keep.
