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Standard Life Aberdeen faces mockery for Abrdn rebrand

Asset manager Standard Life Aberdeen has, to widespread mockery, decided to change its name to Abrdn to reflect a "modern, agile, digitally-enabled brand".

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Standard Life Aberdeen faces mockery for Abrdn rebrand

Editorial

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The new vowel-light name will still be pronounced "Aberdeen" when it comes into effect later this year, along with a new "visual identity," says the firm.

Says chief executive Stephen Bird: "Our new brand Abrdn builds on our heritage and is modern, dynamic and, most importantly, engaging for all of our client and customer channels."

In a two minute video posted on Twitter, the company attempts to tie the rebrand to a new, technology-led business "fit for the future".


However, the big reveal prompted predictable ridicule on social media:


Other companies got in on the mockery:


Some responses were short and to the point:


More seriously, one Tweeter raised the issue of whether the new name could pose problems for screen readers for blind people:

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Comments: (1)

Ketharaman Swaminathan

Ketharaman Swaminathan Founder and CEO at GTM360 Marketing Solutions

Sr whnt. @matt_levine wondered if "April Fools’ Day lasts for months now". I saw it as the growing pervasiveness of Catch-22 / Milo Minderbinder ethos in modern times.  

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