GUniroyal Tires has introduced a new brand symbol that has been 50 years in the making. “Royal,” a tiger cub wearing a crown and sitting inside a Uniroyal tire, will become the brand’s icon.
The symbol of a tiger has long been associated with Uniroyal. In the 1960s, the brand introduced the Tiger Paw® line of tires, and a cartoon tiger starred in Uniroyal ads. Tiger Paw® tires were the original tires on the Pontiac GTO during that era.
Today, the Tiger Paw® line of tires still represents a large segment of Uniroyal’s portfolio. The new icon was created just ahead of the largest product launch in the brand’s history: the Tiger Paw® Touring All-Season, available to consumers in June.
“The tiger is reliably strong and protective, as are Uniroyal tires,” said Olivia Le Meur, Uniroyal brand director. “For more than 50 years, the tiger has been associated with our tires. As we have our biggest product launch in history this year, we want a brand mascot that can help tell our story.”
The brand commissioned artist Jared Emerson to reimagine Royal the tiger. A series of images shows Royal as a tiger cub – a nod to the brand bringing value to families.
The tiger’s name, “Royal,” is also a link to the brand’s heritage. U.S. Royal was the predecessor to Uniroyal and has remained a Uniroyal trademark for decades. The new icon features a crown to emphasize the tiger’s symbolic name.
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