THE GHOSTBUSTERS BRAND: A stream of conscience synopsis.

So, I've always wondered where the Ghostbusters logo came from in the context of the film. We all know the story. A few guys who were into the paranormal science game decided to go into business of busting ghosts. Now, in New York in the 1980's, this didn't really seem like a super lucrative prospect. Sure, there were ghosts running amuck, but it didn't really seem like huge problem. Honestly, I'd have more of a hard time dealing with crime and being mugged in that city. New York has always had that problem. What's a few ghosts on top of that. Sorry, I got off track. So, these guys form this business and cut through the red tape of getting this enterprise off the ground. You know, legal logistics, loans, accounting procedures, etc..... And if you remember in the film, business wasn't exactly booming at the beginning. Eventually it got off roaring and they did very well for themselves. I mean, they saved the entire city from a giant marshmallow man.

I would love to see the invoice on that job.

But here's my question. Who did they go through for their initial branding? The logo is great and pinpoints exactly what they were going for. Did they get in touch with a design firm? Did they know someone who contributed their work on a contract or freelance basis. Did one of the actual ghostbusters has a design background and do it themselves? And they didn't go for a simple business card and letterhead. They had vehicle graphics and exterior signage. Not to mention customized embroidering for their uniforms. Also, if you remember in the film, they had a number of television spots as well. This must have cost a fortune. They were throwing in promotional freebies like coffee mugs and balloons as well. How much of a business loan did they take out and how much of this budget went into creating their brand?

You also have to take in consideration that what they offer in services is very specialized. So they can get away with charging a lot. And if your home or business is being destroyed by ghosts, you don't hire just anyone, you hire the ghostbusters. In the context of this film, I wonder what kind of branding and design they would have today. Obviously, they would enter the digital realm with a website. Iphone apps that would replicate the PKE meter to see weather or not your in the presence of paranormal activity? That might be something worth investing in. 

As seen below: Exterior signage, vehicle graphics, clothing, logomark...... How branding helped a rag tag team of paranormal scientists form a succesful business.

My girlfriend, Margarita had this notion that Janine Melnitz, their secretary, had something to do with the logo. Maybe she had a design background but had a hard time finding regular work. So she took up this job handling the phones and various office work for the Ghostbusting company. At the beginning, Egon was all like, "We need to find someone who can develop our brand. Can you get on that?" And then she was all like, "Let me take a crack at that." So she came up with some ideas and presented the guys with some thumbnails. They really went for the crossed out cigarette sign look and told her to run with it. Maybe it was a little cartoony, but who am I judge creativity?

Honestly, in all respect to the how that business was run, I'd imagine that as they grew and hired more help, their brand would mature in the process. Gone would be the cartoony ghost and in its place, a more refined seal of a logo mark. Perhaps something more official and badge like. Well, that's my two cents.