Castrol unveils refreshed brand, including a new sonic identity

Castrol, which is part of the bp group and among the major global lubricant brands, has unveiled its refreshed brand,  including an updated look and feel. The brand refresh is aimed at better reflecting its unique  positioning in the market and the opportunities it sees in meeting the changing needs of  customers. 

Castrol worked with top branding and design agency Landor & Fitch and leading sonic branding agency MassiveMusic to develop its refreshed brand identity whose expertise and  creativity has been instrumental in shaping the refreshed brand. 

Castrol is exploring opportunities to provide solutions and services that will complement its  core lubricants business and provide additional value to customers. For example, the company  already has a range of advanced electric vehicle (EV) fluids, including EV Transmission Fluids, EV Thermal  Fluids and EV Greases—Castrol ON. Castrol has also announced plans to invest around USD60 million in a  new, state-of-the-art EV battery testing centre and analytical laboratory in the UK. Castrol’s ON immersion cooling fluid for use in data centres has now been fully approved by Submer for use across their portfolio of products. 

The refreshed brand identity is the result of a comprehensive brand strategy process, which  included extensive research, analysis, and input from stakeholders, customers, and industry  experts. The updated logo features a more modern, dynamic, and vibrant design, with a focus  on the brand’s core strengths and differentiators as Castrol aims to broaden appeal with a more  diverse customer base in lubricants, services and solutions. It maintains Castrol’s iconic red,  green and white colours, which are strongly associated with the brand and is set to improve  brand memorability digitally. 

“We are excited to launch our refreshed brand, which represents an exciting chapter for our  company,” said Nicola Buck, chief marketing officer of Castrol. “Our refreshed brand identity  reflects our commitment to investing in the future and creating new opportunities for growth  and success.” 

“The worlds of mobility and industry are facing faster-than-ever changes as the world  transforms and aims for net zero, and customers want more sustainable solutions. Change is  vital for Castrol to thrive. We’re signalling to the world that we are set for the future.” 

“I believe that refreshing a globally recognised brand is not just about changing its appearance  or messaging,” said Michelle Jou, CEO of Castrol. “It’s about reinvigorating its essence, and relevance in today’s world. We need to listen to our customers, understand their evolving  needs and aspirations, and leverage our core strengths to be a brand that inspires them. A  refreshed brand should not be just a cosmetic exercise; in my view it’s a strategic imperative  that drives growth, differentiation, and long-term success.”  

The brand refresh also includes a new sonic identity, which is the strategic use of sound as a part of a brand identity. It has been crafted to enhance the  refreshed visual look and feel, with music and sound design that strongly elicits feelings of  acceleration, forward-momentum and dynamic movement. Castrol’s new sonic identity is aimed at creating a  powerful future distinctive brand asset that will drive awareness and memorability. 

Castrol believes that these changes will provide a more engaging, memorable, and effective  brand experience.