Potential situations where co-branding with external partners can appear include joint ventures and partnerships where:Airbus is the lead partner, an equal partner or the minor partner.
Different partnership scenarios lead naturally to different emphasis when describing the relationship as well as branding is applied:
Airbus is the lead partner: Airbus brand leads communications. Partners need to align to our branding criteria.
Airbus is an equal partner: We can't predefine who leads but we can establish the right criteria to con-sider.
Note: In certain 50:50 partnerships, one brand may take the brand lead for commercial reasons.
For example, one brand may be better placed to attract target customers or they may be more willing to invest in marketing the venture.
In this case branding will follow the branding rules of the designated partner.
Airbus is the minor partner: Our partner leads communications. We need to align to the branding criteria set by our partners.
In all cases the permission to use the Airbus name or one of its trademarks may only be given by the respective Business Unit’s communications department.
The application must be submitted to the responsible communications department for approval prior to publication.
The right to usage may not be passed on to successor organisations or subcontractors.
When Airbus plays the lead role in a partnership then we lead communications and the partner brand must follow the criteria set by the Airbus brand.
Logo proportions
As a guide the partner logo(s) should be 60% of the Airbus logo, as indicated by the grid.
Logo alignment
The partner logo(s) should be aligned through the centre of the Airbus logo
Partner designation
An optional partner designation can be used to describe the partner relationship in more detail e.g. ‘In partnership with’; ‘Exclusively with’; ‘A joint initiative of’, ‘In cooperation with’.
The designation line should be typeset in Helvetica Neue LT 55 Roman in sentence case. The x-height of the letters should be equal to 1/4 of the height of the ‘A’ in Airbus.
The space between the descriptor line and the partner logo should be equal to the height of the ‘A’ in Airbus. It should be left aligned to the edge of the partner logo.
Division descriptors are applied following standard Airbus layout rules.
Application on brochures and roll-ups
The formal arrangement of logotypes of the participating companies/brands follows a simple organisational principle.
This option does not provide the Airbus descriptors (Helicopters or Defence and Space) as brand assets – they are text-only mentions.
Horizontal arrangement
The preferred position of the Airbus logo is to the left of the partner logo(s) and horizontally aligned. A space equal to the width of two ‘A’s should be left between each logo as shown in the diagram.
Vertical arrangement
If space is limited then a vertical alignment of logos is allowed with the Airbus logo positioned above. A space equal to the height of one ‘A’ should be left between each logo as shown in the diagram.
Logo proportions
The partner logos should be optically balanced to give each logo equal importance.
Logo positioning
The partner logos should be aligned through the centre Airbus logo.
When Airbus plays a minor role in a partnership then the partner leads communications and the Airbus brand must follow the criteria set by the partner brand.
This option does not provide the Airbus descriptors (Helicopters or Defence and Space) as brand assets.
Partner designation
A partnership designation line should be used to describe Airbus’ relationship and involvment in more detail e.g. ‘In partnership with’; ‘Exclusively with’;
‘A joint initiative of’, ‘In cooperation with’.
Ideally the partner designation should be typeset in Helvetica Neue LT 55 Roman in upper and lower case. The x-height of the letters should be equal to 1/4 of the height of the ‘A’ in Airbus.
The space between the partner designation and the Airbus logo should be equal to the height of the ‘A’ in Airbus. It should be left aligned to the
Airbus logo.
In this case the Airbus name or logo to be used as part of a neutral reference.
As a rule, only prestigious business partners with sustainable, positive reputations are permitted to do so.
Business partners who only seek to profit of the Airbus brand to leverage their own reputation are to be avoided.
The size of the Airbus logo will depend upon how many other partners are included and will be proportional to the other logos of those who have an equal stake.
In multiple partner brand scenarios we must follow the criteria set by the lead partner.
This option does not provide the Airbus descriptors (Helicopters or Defence and Space) as brand assets.
Suppliers, resellers and distributors who work with Airbus and want to promote their association must use one of the approved signets pictured here on the left.
Use of a signet is only allowed if prior written permission has been received from Airbus.
The signets are supplied as artwork and must not be altered in any way.
The signet could also be used for merchandise products.
In this case use the signet with the wording “Official licensed Product” applied on label tags.
