Hostess Cupcakes, Donettes and Twinkies packages on a kitchen table

Hostess Uses Consumer Testing to Revamp Logo and Packaging

Header: Brand Packaging-Redesign

The J.M. Smucker Co.'s Hostess brand, purveyor of snacks, has unveiled a new logo and packaging design as part of a refresh of the brand. The producer of sweet snacks, including Hostess Donettes, Twinkies, Cupcakes, Ding Dongs, and more, has modernized its look and feel to enhance appeal with new consumers while engaging current patrons.

The updated logo retains the trademark heart, reflecting that the brand's core values remain firmly intact while offering a more playful font style and a brighter color palette. The refreshed logo design also includes a new cloud-shaped border celebrating the light and airy quality of every Hostess snack. The refreshed product packaging features new stylized typography and updated product photography as well.

Hostess website homepage with callout to the new design and packaging

Consumers preferred the new logo and packaging to the previous edition by a 2:1 ratio.

“The launch of the new logo and packaging design is an exciting way to kick off the next chapter for this great brand and introduce ourselves to new fans,” says Christopher Balach, VP, marketing. The J.M. Smucker Co. “When we talk to consumers about the brand, the thing we hear again and again is about the joy it brings, and we were eager to celebrate the special feeling of enjoying a favorite Hostess treat through this work.”

The process to develop the new look and feel included the collaboration of a dedicated team, leveraging industry-leading partners and utilizing multiple phases of consumer testing to evaluate all aspects of the refreshed presentation. These efforts resulted in the updated logo and new packaging creative that consumers prefer 2:1 to the previous presentation of the brand, while enhancing perceptions around taste and modernity.

“At Hostess we talk about how we are made not manufactured — that every snack we bake is unique — and that spirit was central to the refreshed presentation,” says Aundrea Graver, director, marketing, The J.M. Smucker Co. “One of my favorite aspects of the work are the subtle 'easter eggs' embedded in how we present the product brands. We wanted to leverage the inherent strength of the Hostess parent brand while celebrating what makes each of our sweet baked snacks distinct and we did just that.”

Twinkies box with ‘New look, same favorite!’ message

Hostess used a light and airy font to better connect the branding to the qualities of their products.

Twinkies box with ‘New look, same favorite!’ message

Hostess used a light and airy font to better connect the branding to the qualities of their products.

Courtesy of Hostess