The Triple-A PCL Memphis Redbirds yesterday "unveiled a new brand, one intended to capture the musical history of the city and reflect the neon-lit businesses of nearby Beale Street," according to Phil Stukenborg of the Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL. The home and away uniforms "feature the neon 'Memphis' across the front with the neon 'M' formed in the shape of a music note." The music note on the "M" honors the city "as home of the blues and the birthplace of rock ‘n’ roll." Redbirds President, GM & Minority Owner Craig Unger said, "We tried to tie in the neons that have kind of become historic with Downtown. It's what you sort of imagine (Memphis being) when you see all the pictures (from Beale Street) with all the neon. There's nostalgia involved with that." Dan Simon of Louisville-based Studio Simon "created the look." He attended the unveiling and said that the intent was to "celebrate the city's heritage while marrying the look with the traditional Cardinal logos" (Memphis COMMERCIAL APPEAL, 1/19). MiLB.com's Benjamin Hill noted the Redbirds' redesign marked the first time during the '16-17 offseason in which a new primary logo or rebrand "was not helmed by Brandiose." Redbirds Principal Owner Peter Freund said, "It's important for us to keep the Redbirds name and remain true to our affiliation. It's still the same red, blue and yellow that are our colors, but we felt we strongly needed to embrace Memphis as authentically as possible" (MiLB.com, 1/18).
