RALEIGH – From donning red fedoras to socks and t-shirts emblazoned with the new logo, Red Hat employees proudly wore the company’s new swag at its rebrand launch on Wednesday.
But some took it to the next level, showcasing freshly inked tattoos of the red fedora mark that is now the company’s new corporate trademark, replacing the “Shadowman” from years prior.
“I’ve just been sort of contemplating it for a while. I was approached by the brand team, and I said, ‘Yah, I’ll do it,’” said Colby Hoke, 36, a content manager who has been with the firm for more than 12 years.
Colby Hoke, 36, a content manager who has been with Red Hat for more than 12 years, agree to permanently brand himself with the companys new logo.
A closer look at Colby Hoke’s new tattoo.
About three weeks ago, he and a group of three other Red Hat employees set off together to the Raleigh Company Tattoo shop on Brookside Drive. With the new logo in hand, each sat in the tattoo artist’s chair for about 30 minutes, getting the image inked on their body – courtesy of Red Hat, of course.
“I’ve been a fan of Red Hat for years. This was my dream company in high school,” added Hoke, showing off the new tattoo on his right forearm. “I ended up getting a job here. I always loved the old logo and I was a little bit unsure about the new one. But once I saw it put on things, I realized it was so much better. It’s cleaner. I trust the brand team to do the right thing, and they killed it.”
Changing of the colors: Red Hat tower dons a white fedora but keeps vivid red band
Michael Chadwick, 26, also agreed to get inked to show his loyalty to the company. He works in corporate communications and has been with the company for less than a year.
It’s his 16th tattoo.
“I went home. I didn’t say yes or no right off the bat. I thought about it,” he said.
Michael Chadwick lifts his shirt to get a peek at his new tattoo.
“I only get ones that are meaningful to me, and it means a lot, honestly,” said Chadwick, who has it discreetly tucked away under his shirt above his right hip. “[I embrace] all the principals they embody. The open source technology, and how anybody can change anything. There’s no hierarchy involved. I do like that from a technological standpoint. That’s what drove me to work at Red Hat, essentially.”
Getting tattooed with the company logo is part of Red Hat’s work culture, apparently. Seventeen employees already had the old logo as a tattoo.
So far, Chadwick has no regrets.
“This isn’t an overnight gig. I’m not going to be leaving here tomorrow. I plan on staying here as long as possible and working here.”
Here’s Red Hat’s new logo – why change? ‘A much different company’ today
