Political campaigns love copying brand logos. Here’s why

Zohran Mamdani's mayoral campaign used a commercial featuring a New York Knicks-style logo on a basketball image. The NBA team sent a cease-and-desist letter, requesting the ad be taken down due to the unauthorized use of their branding. Mamdani's campaign initially stated they would comply and remove the ads. A campaign spokesperson expressed pride in supporting the Knicks despite their inability to publicly endorse the campaign. This incident highlights a trend of political campaigns borrowing visual elements from popular brands. Previously, other candidates have faced similar issues with unauthorized brand likenesses. Tim Short used a logo resembling Fox News, and Matt Jenkins used a logo similar to Wawa's, both receiving cease-and-desist letters. These campaign logos are designed to evoke familiarity and connect with voters by suggesting shared interests. However, brands are often protective of their intellectual property and have taken legal action. A candidate named Campbell is currently being sued by Campbell's Soup for a logo resembling their iconic soup cans. Such campaigns aim to leverage brand recognition for electoral advantage. Despite the risks, some candidates continue this practice, hoping for a positive association. However, past instances suggest this tactic does not guarantee electoral success.