New brand for the Phone Co-op

The Phone Co-op has launched a new brand to ensure compatibility with new digital platforms, boost sales and widen its online reach.

The UK’s only co-operative telecommunications supplier – owned by more than 11,700 members – it designed the new brand to show how it is different and to raise its profile, particularly among young people.

The new logo integrates a “beacon” image with the global “COOP” mark, launched in 2013 by the International Co-operative Alliance to help identify co-op enterprises across the world.

Jacci Marcus, head of sales and marketing at the Phone Co-op, said: “We wanted a new brand identity to fit in with our new marketing strategy and to enhance our visual appearance in an increasingly digital world.

“We have adopted a ‘beacon’ image with the International Co-operative Alliance COOP logo. The beacon reflects our desire to be at the forefront of the digital age, and the COOP logo our vision to be a global co-operator.

“The new brand will help drive sales, build awareness of the Phone Co-op and help us stand out online”.

Phone Co-op developed the new logo with Blue Moon, a design agency in Worcestershire. The initial “COOP” marque was commissioned by the Alliance and designed by Calverts, a London-based worker co-operative.

Vivian Woodell, chief executive of the Phone Co-op, said: “We are delighted with the new brand, and the board is fully behind the change. It creates a new visual identity which conveys the fact that we are a modern technology and communications business but that we are also part of the wider co-operative movement.

“The new brand signifies our desire to become the only choice for the ethical customer wanting phone, mobile, broadband and business data services but also encapsulates our role as part of the global co-operative movement.”

The Phone Co-op, based in Chipping Norton and Manchester, and was set up in 1998. Since then the co-op has continued to grow and has a current turnover of £12.5m.