ITC is a leading Indian business conglomerate with diversified business interests in the fields of agribusiness, FMCG, paper, tobacco, hospitality, and information technology, among others. The ITC logo has undergone a few changes since the inception of the company in 1910. Each iteration of the logo reflects the evolving identity of the company as it moved from a tobacco-centric business to a diversified conglomerate. The article delves into the evolution of the ITC logo and discusses other relevant details concerning the company.
The Genesis of the ITC Logo (1910)
The forerunner of ITC was the Imperial Tobacco Company, which succeeded the British company, W.D. & H.O. Wills. So, the original logo of the British Wills company featured the name W.D.&H.O. WILLS in an arched form. The white-coloured letters ending with a single apostrophe sign appeared in thick black outlines, which gave the letters a three-dimensional effect. The uppercase letters forming the brand name were compact to look at and were highly visible.
The original logo featured the full name “Imperial Tobacco Co.,” thereby emphasising its roots in tobacco manufacturing. This logo was representative of its British origins and focused solely on tobacco products. There are no records of the logo in public domain, and so the below illustration of the building bearing the name in Bristol, England, has been displayed.
(1970-Present)
In 1970, the company rebranded itself as India Tobacco Company Limited. Thereafter, the company became “ITC Limited.” The new logo design of the company name was modernised and featured a stylised representation of the letters “ITC” that conveyed a sense of dynamism and innovation. This change reflected the strategic shift that the company made towards becoming a multi-business conglomerate with interests in FMCG, hotels, paperboards, and more.
The ITC logo emphasises simplicity and elegance by using clean lines and a bold typeface. It symbolises ITC’s commitment to sustainability and innovation while maintaining a connection to its heritage. The logo is often accompanied by various brand identifiers that represent its diverse product portfolio across sectors like FMCG, hospitality, and agribusiness.
The below-mentioned logo was crafted to commemorate the centenary of the company in 2010.
The Elements of the ITC Logo
Font
The official font used in the logo is the Gill Sans font family, which is known for its clean lines and modern appearance. It enhances both readability and aesthetic appeal of the logo. The variants of Gill Sans employed include Regular, Light, Bold, and Medium.
Colour
The ITC logo primarily uses two colours: Dark blue, which is the dominant colour in the logo. It’s a deep, rich navy blue that gives a sense of professionalism, trust, and stability. The other colour is white, which creates a strong contrast against the dark blue background. In fact, the specific shade of blue used in the ITC logo is often described as a royal or navy blue.
The simplicity of this two-colour palette (blue and white) creates a clean, memorable, and easily recognisable logo. The dark blue colour is often associated with corporate reliability and professionalism, while the white colour provides clarity and contrast.
Finally
The evolution of the ITC logo shows the journey of the company from a tobacco manufacturer to one of India’s leading diversified business conglomerates. Each logo redesign has marked significant milestones in ITC’s history. It reflects the adaptability and commitment of the company to growth in various sectors. Today, the ITC logo stands as a symbol of innovation, quality, and corporate responsibility in the Indian business landscape.