A smart application – the Hootsuite logo evokes such associations. All functions of the program are thought out to the smallest detail. The emblem promises that it is enough to explore the application’s capabilities, and managing your social media account will look like a fun adventure.
Hootsuite: Brand overview
Meaning and History
The users themselves chose the service’s name. Ryan Holmes motivated them with a cash award, promising $500 for winning the competition. He believes the best version was formed from the French phrase “tout de suite,” which means “right now.” The person who suggested it used the owl icon on the BrightKit dashboard as inspiration. He noticed the connection between the words “Owly” and “Hootsuite” and received the grand prize for resourcefulness.
The renaming took place in 2009. Simultaneously, the platform added support for other social networks and began to operate as an independent company. It left Invoke Media and was incorporated under the name Hootsuite Media, Inc. From that moment on, her independent path began in online brand management. The service logo changed under the influence of external factors. It reflected the company’s desire to overtake competitors, even in such a matter as creating a visual identity.
What is Hootsuite?
Hootsuite is a service that allows you to control several accounts on different social networks at once. It looks like a control panel, opens in a browser, and has a wide range of functions. The platform was developed by Hootsuite Media, Inc., named after the owl in the logo. Matt Nathan suggested combining the word “Owly” with the French pun “tout de suite.”
2008 – 2014
The first logo was not used in 2008 because neither it nor Hootsuite existed then. It came into use a year later, immediately after the program was renamed. However, we must admit that the owl appeared during BrightKit, a funny emblem that once adorned the Twitter dashboard.
This bird was and remains the platform’s main mascot. Until 2014, she was portrayed in a cartoon style: large dark gray ears, a light gray wing, and an orange beak similar to a snowman’s nose. The body of an owl was shaped like a drop. For credibility, the artists added a black shadow that created a three-dimensional effect.
The “Hootsuite” lettering also looked three-dimensional but for a different reason. The designers used a linear gradient. The name was divided into orange “hoot” and gray “suite.”
2014 – 2022
Vigilante’s agency representatives, marketers, designers, writers, Dee Anna McPherson (VP of Marketing), and Ryan Holmes have teamed up to create a new look for the platform. They kept the Owly mascot but significantly reworked it, making it minimalist and monochrome. The owl now consists of the simplest geometric shapes, mostly circles and triangles. It has no wing, and its beak is connected to the eyes.
The word “Hootsuite” has also changed. First, the developers chose a different font, which was rounder than the first. Second, they converted the “H” to uppercase and repainted both parts of the lettering black.
The social media management system has a recognizable symbol and mascot—an owl. The logo’s main element reflects the brand’s friendliness and simplicity. Over the years, it has changed only once, and then “cosmetically.” The designers have updated the style a bit, following the example of Twitter, which gave a modern look to its Larry the Bird.
The program’s name was written in lowercase letters on the first logo. The font was reminiscent of Supra Condensed Medium, created in 2013 by the typographer Gert Wiescher. However, many details vary, so we can discuss an individual typeface designed to order.
The second-word mark used a font similar to Graublau Sans Bold. The original grotesque appeared in 2012 and was published by the FDI Type Foundry. Another analog is Mute Bold from Indian Type Foundry. The Hootsuite design team changed some glyphs, including removing the left half of the horizontal stroke from the “t” and rounding off the letter’s top.
The palette used to be more varied than it is now. It included a light brown color and several shades of orange and gray. The current logo is all black and white: the inscription and the owl. It became so after the redesign in 2014.
2022 – today
Since 2022, the Hootsuite logo has retained only the main concept and changed visually. That is, both the owl and the name remained but in a radically different form. Now, the feathered predator looks like a caricature. It does not have even corners or geometric shapes; the lines smoothly move from level to level. The artists removed the body of the bird, focusing on the head. They enlarged it and depicted it in a new style. The owl looks like a cap with a mask and two antennas. After all, sharp and long ears are unusually directed in different directions, which forms such an impression. The eyes of the feathered predator have become huge and occupy a third of the space. The beak is made double. The authors changed the font, using individual glyphs instead of the standard ones. The letters are now low, thin, and graceful, and the “u” is complemented by a sharp inner element. The notches are still missing.
Hootsuite: Interesting Facts
Hootsuite is a top tool for managing social media that helps businesses and people handle their online interactions on different platforms easily.
- Early Beginnings: Ryan Holmes started Hootsuite in 2008. It was among the first to help users manage many social media accounts in one place, which was helpful for businesses wanting to stay active on different sites.
- Quick Growth: Hootsuite hit 1 million users two years after starting. This shows how much people need social media for work and personal use.
- Supports Many Platforms: Hootsuite works with many social media sites, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Pinterest. This makes it a go-to for managing online presence.
- Free and Paid Options: Hootsuite has a freemium model. This means it lets you use some features for free but charges for more advanced options. This makes it useful for both small and big companies.
- Learning with Hootsuite Academy: Hootsuite started an online academy to help people improve their social media use. Here, you can learn about social media marketing and get certified.
- Worldwide Service: Hootsuite serves clients in over 175 countries and is available in many languages, which shows its commitment to users worldwide.
- Works Well with Others: Hootsuite can connect with other tools, such as content creators, analytics, and CRM systems, making social media management smoother and more integrated.
- Many Users Globally: Millions of users, including big companies, small businesses, governments, and nonprofits, trust Hootsuite for social media.
- Link Shortening with Owly: Hootsuite’s link shortener, Owly, helps users shorten links, track clicks, and see how well their content is doing online. This is great for improving social media plans.
- Listening and Engagement Tools: Hootsuite has features that let you monitor what’s being said about your brand, talk to your audience, and follow important topics. This keeps businesses connected with their customers and ahead of trends.
From its start as a small company to becoming a key player in social media management, Hootsuite shows the increasing role of social media in today’s world. With its wide range of tools and global reach, it’s essential for anyone looking to boost their online presence.
Font and Colors
All three Hootsuite emblems use the grotesque. The first resembles a slightly modified Ashemore Cond Medium font. The second is associated with the Myriad Pro SemiCondensed Bold but with a half-cut crossbar at the “t.” The modern logo uses Manfred Klein’s DoradoHeadline Regular, which echoes some of the LCT Picon Extended Bold.
The color palette also varied and changed from neutral black to multicolored. In the debut version, yellow and gray predominated; in the current one, coral. The second logo was completely black, which made it look businesslike and strict.
FAQ
What is the meaning of Hootsuite?
Hootsuite is a social media management platform that helps businesses, brands, and individuals efficiently manage their social media activities.
The platform allows users to discover, create, and share interesting content. It supports text, images, and videos, making creating various posts easy. It works with major networks such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Hootsuite provides tools to monitor social media mentions, keywords, and trends.
The platform offers detailed analytics and reports to measure social media performance. It supports team collaboration, allowing multiple users to collaborate on social media strategies. Hootsuite integrates with various third-party tools, including CRM and content management systems, providing a seamless workflow for users. Overall, it is a versatile tool that supports all aspects of social media management.
What is the slogan of Hootsuite?
Hootsuite’s slogan is “Go fast, be flexible.” It demonstrates the platform’s commitment to helping users quickly adapt to the fast pace of social media development.
“Go Fast” emphasizes the need for speed. The platform allows users to schedule and publish posts across multiple social networks efficiently. This ensures content is distributed at the best time and keeps up with the rapid update flow.
“Be flexible” emphasizes adaptability. Hootsuite provides tools to track mentions, trends, and keywords in real-time. This helps users stay up-to-date and respond quickly to changes and interactions. Adjusting strategies based on analytics and performance metrics is critical to effective social media management.
Why did Hootsuite change its logo?
Six years after Owly’s first design debuted, the company changed its logo to modernize the brand and fit into the evolving world of social media.
The original Owly was playful and light-hearted, reflecting the early days of social networking focused on fun and casual communication. As social media has become a critical tool for business, the brand needed a logo that reflected this shift. The new Owly is darker and more serious, symbolizing the growth and maturity of the brand. The updated logo indicates that the company is evolving with the industry, offering a more professional set of social media management tools. A darker, more sophisticated Owly suits businesses looking for robust social media solutions.
Does Hootsuite still exist?
Yes, Hootsuite still exists and is a major player in the social media management space. It was one of the first platforms to establish a strong presence and reputation. It offers various social media management tools, making it a popular choice for businesses and individuals.
Forbes Advisors ranked Hootsuite as the third-best social media management tool, showing its continued relevance and effectiveness. The platform offers features such as content scheduling, social media monitoring, analytics, and team collaboration that help users manage their social media presence.
What can Hootsuite manage?
Hootsuite manages accounts on various social media platforms, creating a centralized platform for social media activities. It supports LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Foursquare, Google+, and WordPress blogs, allowing users to post content, interact with followers, and track activity from one place.
Hootsuite integrates with platforms like Get Satisfaction, Edocr, Storify, Slideshare, MailChimp, Flickr, Evernote, Tumblr, Instagram, StumbleUpon, Reddit, and Vimeo through third-party apps. This expands its functionality beyond traditional social networks.
Hootsuite helps users optimize their social media experience by allowing them to schedule posts, track engagement, and respond to comments across platforms. This ensures a constant presence and effective management of social media activities. These comprehensive management capabilities make Hootsuite a popular choice among social media professionals.