STYLE GUIDE

I N T RO D U C T I O N

This style guide describes the elements and usage of the

BBC Music brand and details the way in which it should be
used both on-air and off-air.

This guide should be adhered to so that there is a

consistent brand appearance across all elements and
platforms. Materials should not be misused or greatly
altered, as doing so devalues the brand.

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CONTENTS

A New Brand.....................................................................

A Brand with Two Roles...............................................

The BBC Music Brand Values.....................................

Design Principles...............................................................

The Logo...............................................................................

The Typeface........................................................................

The Animated Logo........................................................

The Patch Logo (Associate) .....................................

The Patch Logo (Partnership)...................................

Opening Credits................................................................

End Credits..........................................................................

The Menu..............................................................................

Web banners......................................................................

Email Footer........................................................................

Generic Images..................................................................

Multi-platform.....................................................................

Language................................................................................

Appendix...............................................................................

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A NEW BRAND

BBC Music will be a new BBC brand, sitting alongside

existing brands like BBC Sport and BBC News. BBC Music
will be the home of all the music output from the BBC.

The BBCs commitment to music has never been greater,

and the formation of a BBC Music brand will allow the
BBC to realise the breadth of our offering across an
increasing range of media.

I want to be recognised for what we do for

BBC Music to be a brand that stands proudly
alongside BBC News or BBC Sport.

Tony Hall, BBC Director General

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A B R A N D W I T H T WO RO L E S
RO L E O N E RO L E T WO
RO L E O N E : BBC MUSIC HOSTS B B C M U S I C PA RT N E R S
p an - B B C acti v ity S P E C I F I C C H A N N E L / S T AT I O N
Where programmes, events or utilities are pan-BBC
(i.e. not aligned to one specific BBC brand or channel)
we will put BBC Music at the heart of the content. Programming Examples
The ambition is that this activity will be explicitly
branded BBC Music for example, BBC Music One Big Weekend
Glastonbury or , where appropriate, a strong Teen Awards
1Xtra Live
association between BBC Music and the activity
Live Lounge
(eg. BBC Proms from BBC Music).

Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park

In Concert
RO L E T WO : Radio 2 Folk Awards

Where programmes, events or utilities are already

owned or aligned to a specific channel or station, In Tune
BBC Music will serve as a co-producer of content.
Importantly, in these instances, the BBC Music branding
will not dominate. In this role, we act as a gateway to Live at Maida Vale
all music content across the BBC - the glue that joins 6Music Festival
all station and channel output together. John Peel Lecture
NB. From a design point of view, we never show www.bbc.co.uk/music
the BBC Music logo and the individual station logos
together (other than showing the wider BBC portfolio The Voice
SEASONS eg.
of brands at a corporate level). Music properties
Sound of Style
are therefore owned either by BBC Music or by the Punk
existing station brands (e.g. BBC Radio 3). Mozart
Later. With Jools Holland

Music docs and seasons

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THE BBC MUSIC BRAND

THE INPUTS THE OUTPUTS

(BEHIND-THE-SCENES THINKING) ( W H AT P E O P L E E X P E R I E N C E )

UNIVERSAL INSIGHT P RO M I S E

Music is a deeply personal thing, however its We promise to always put your love for music first
becoming increasingly impersonal and commercialised,
formulaic and selected by algorithm. PERSONALITY

PURPOSE We

We exist to fight against the commoditisation Love music as much as you do

of music.
Are friendly and open
VA L U E S
Know our stuff and so we have an opinion
We believe
Are surprising and well challenge you at times
In the power of music to entertain and inspire
Are never satisfied, theres always more music
In sharing our knowledge and learning from
yours, its a two way thing

In taking risks

In range and choice

That championing British music and new British

talent is important

That music can be intimate and epic

That music is important (but we dont take it

too seriously)

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DESIGN PRINCIPLES

We want to create a clear, recognisable BBC brand identity

that highlights the quality and breadth of the BBCs music
content across TV, radio and online, without undermining
our existing channel and station brands.

Our ambition is to build a recognisable BBC Music brand

that acts as the glue that holds together our diverse
music output. We already have strong channel and station
brands, so our design must compliment and support while
building to a bigger sum of existing parts. As a result, our
logo will sit boldly within relevant content but we are also
clear about where we take a backseat to our channel and
station partners.

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THE LOGO

The BBC Music logo is the consistent element of the brand

identity, an endorsement for all music content enjoyed across
TV, radio and online.

When the logo sits over music imagery, it

remains either black or white AND IS NEVER
HELD IN A PATCH. This allows the music to be the hero.
Shown right is an example of the white and black logos
placed over images.

Life and movement is key to our personality, and as such

our logo has a transparent nature that allows the content to
literally shine through. Our logo is bold and authoritative but
never at the expense of showing off the music content we
are presenting or promoting.

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THE LOGO

This is the BBC Music logo artwork, it can be extracted from

this PDF and used on final artwork.

Please do not alter the logo in any way. It is supplied as both

a black version and a white version to ensure the greatest
degree of contrast / legibility when applied to an image.

CORRECT USAGE

The BBC Music logo should appear centrally over an image

as per the examples shown on the following pages.

THIS PRIMARY LOGO (IN EITHER BLACK OR WHITE)

SHOULD BE USED IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT
WHEN USED ALONGSIDE OTHER BBC FAMILY BRAND
LOGOS, OR WHERE THE LOGO DOES NOT SIT ON
MUSIC CONTENT (SEE PAGES 14-17).

The logo should not cover more than a third of the final
image width and should never be so small that the BBC logo
is less 20 mm.

MINIMUM SIZE 20 mm

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THE WELSH LOGO

The BBC Welsh Music logo artwork can be extracted from

this PDF and used on final artwork.

Please do not alter the logo in any way. It is supplied as both

a black version and a white version to ensure the greatest
degree of contrast / legibility when applied to an image.

CORRECT USAGE

The BBC Music logo should appear centrally over an image

as per the examples shown on the following pages.

THIS PRIMARY LOGO (IN EITHER BLACK OR WHITE)

SHOULD BE USED IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES EXCEPT
WHEN USED ALONGSIDE OTHER BBC FAMILY BRAND
LOGOS, OR WHERE THE LOGO DOES NOT SIT ON
MUSIC CONTENT (SEE PAGES 14-17).

The logo should not cover more than a third of the final
image width and should never be so small that the BBC logo
is less 20 mm.

MINIMUM SIZE 20 mm

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THE LOGO

The BBC Music logo should always be part of the image

and not moved to one side, although it will probably be
necessary to move it either up or down along the central
vertical axis.

The static logo only appears in black or white, (depending
on the colour of the image behind it).
Ideally, the image will be dynamic and engaging, emphasising
the values of BBC Music.
The BBC Music logo should be part
of the image. The image has been
enlarged and rotated to increase
impact and viewer engagement.

The logo should not be separate from

the main image.

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T H E T Y P E FAC E

All BBC Music communications should be in Gills Sans

Headlines are in Gill Sans Regular, Uppercase

Body copy is in Gill Sans Light, Sentence case.

Text, as with the logo, should be in black or white.

BEHIND THE SCENES LIVE FROM THE ROYAL OPERA HOUSE

17 July at 8pm 28 September at 8pm

Examples of the BBC Music static logo with accompanying

text on marketing materials at BBC Music events.

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T H E A N I M AT E D L O G O

BBC MUSIC LOGO

The Animated BBC Music Logo uses the flying glass blocks
which can be keyed over different backgrounds. The
sequence on the right shows the animation for BBC Music
when it transitions to black. The logo must always end on
a solid black or white logo.

A transition to white is also available and an example is

shown on the next page.

In keeping with the BBC guidelines, the BBC letters in

blocks must remain transparent - they should never be
filled in, either white or black.

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T H E A N I M AT E D L O G O

BBC MUSIC LOGO

A transition to white is shown right.

The other form of the logo that can exist in moving image
is the transparent logo, which is correctly being used in
idents. An example of the transparent logo is shown here.

Please note that the transparent logo must always end in

a solid black or white logo as shown.

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T H E P AT C H L O G O ( A S S O C I AT E )

The BBC Music Associate logo patch is to be used

alongside other BBC brand logos in instances where brands
require equal prominence. It then must appear in its black
colour patch.

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T H E P AT C H L O G O ( P A R T N E R S H I P )

When the BBC Music logo is used in conjunction with

a partnership logo (i.e. an external event, company or
organisation logo), or on any other artwork not created by
the BBC, the BBC Music logo appears in its black patch.

For correct terms of use, including minimum size and

clearance zone, please refer to the BBC branding guidelines.

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OPENING CREDITS

The example shown here illustrates the correct use of the

BBC Music logo on opening credits.

The BBC Music logo should transition on after the main

logo has appeared, following the rhythm of delivery. Both
logos should remain together before fading simultaneously.

For the full BBC guidelines on opening credits, click the

link below:

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END CREDITS

The examples shown here illustrate the correct use of the

Wholly BBC Production
BBC Music logo on end credits.
The logo is larger than
For the full BBC guidelines on end credits, click the
Co and Independent
link below:
Productions. However,
there is still space between
the date and the copy.

Co Production

Independent Production

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THE MENU

BBC MUSIC MENU

The menu can be used with either one, two or three items.

All assests available currently sit in Playout. Any request for

body text goes through Media Planning. Please ensure that
logos are checked and ready in Playout.

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WEB BANNERS

BBC WEB BANNERS 2 COLUMN

Dark Light
The web banners are provided as one, 2 or 3 columns in
Dark and Light options. Please note that for the 2 and 3
column options there are 2 generic options as well as an
option for classical, pop and rock.

BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 2COL DARK GENERIC 1.png BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 2COL LIGHT GENERIC 1.png

1 COLUMN
Dark

BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 2COL DARK GENERIC 2.png BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 2COL LIGHT GENERIC 2.png

BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 2COL DARK CLASSICAL.png BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 2COL LIGHT CLASSICAL.png
BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 1COL DARK.png

Light

BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 2COL DARK POP.png BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 2COL LIGHT POP.png

BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 1COL LIGHT.png BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 2COL DARK ROCK.png BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 2COL LIGHT ROCK.png

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WEB BANNERS

BBC WEB BANNERS 3 COLUMN

Dark Light
As with the one and 2 column options, the 3 column
option has 2 generic options as well as an option for
classical, pop and rock.

BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 3COL DARK GENERIC 1.png BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 3COL LIGHT GENERIC 1.png

BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 3COL DARK GENERIC 2.png BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 3COL LIGHT GENERIC 2.png

BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 3COL DARK CLASSICAL.png BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 3COL LIGHT CLASSICAL.png

BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 3COL DARK POP.png BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 3COL LIGHT POP.png

BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 3COL DARK ROCK.png BBC MUSIC WEB BANNER 3COL LIGHT ROCK.png

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E M A I L F O OT E R

The BBC Music email footer is shown on the right.

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MUSIC IMAGES

A3 posters are provided as high resolution, editable

Photoshop files.

The jpegs are provided as CMYK and RGB options.

BBC MUSIC A3 RGB GENERIC 2.jpg BBC MUSIC A3 RGB GENERIC 1.jpg

BBC MUSIC A3 RGB CLASSICAL.jpg BBC MUSIC A3 RGB POP.jpg BBC MUSIC A3 RGB ROCK.jpg

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MUSIC IMAGES

Pull up banners are provided as high resolution, editable

Photoshop files.

The jpegs are provided as CMYK files.

PULL UP BANNER GENERIC.jpg PULL UP BANNER PIANO.jpg

PULL UP BANNER CLASSICAL.jpg PULL UP BANNER POP.jpg PULL UP BANNER ROCK.jpg

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M U L T I - P L AT F O R M

We want to reinforce a uniform look and feel for

BBC Music across all platforms. As BBC Music increasingly
becomes the way for audiences to access all BBC Music
content, we want to make sure that the branding is
consistent. One of the fundamentals is that BBC Music
should never compete with the existing channel and station
brands. As such, our BBC Music branding should never
be seen in conjunction with the channels and stations we
support instead we are the entrance way into all music
programming and content on the BBC.

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LANGUAGE
O V E RV I E W
Language is an important factor in shaping our brand
purpose and personality. As BBC Music lives to put your
love of music first, it is vital that we communicate our
shared passion for all of the music that matters to you as an
individual.
Emotion is of paramount importance to us. We are always
passionate, and this is reflected in our use of language and
sentence construction. Perhaps like no other part of the
BBC, we speak from the heart, reflecting that music is an
emotional experience that is felt, rather than a rational
construction that is explained. We acknowledge movement
in our language our calls to action capture the mood
and energy of the music, the artists and their stories. As
importantly, we capture the intimate nature of music; the
personal connection and insight that underlines the way
our audience interact with music in every genre. We love
everything from the intimate to the epic.
Our presenters arent just presenters, theyre music fanatics
too. Their knowledge and passion makes them the ideal
people to fuel our personal music journey. Their support
of emerging UK talent is relentless - they challenge and
surprise us and open up a world of music so that its a
genuine two-way thing.
O ur A p p roach to L anguage
The BBCs music content talks to a diverse range of
audiences, spanning a vast range of musical tastes
and changing needs and moods. As BBC Music we
do however need to develop a consistent tone
of voice and there are clear rules that guide our
language:
- Always passionate, emotional and engaging
- Always clear and concise, while accepting that
we dont exist to be expedient
- Always bold and full of impact
- Always actively inclusive and inviting
- Never ever elitist or patronising
- Never judgemental
- Never obtuse
BBC Music champions live and emerging music like
no other brand. We dont just cover the events, we
allow you to immerse yourself in the joy of the
music so by discovering the music with us the
audience experience is the next best thing to being
there. This belief is reflected in our language; music
isnt a commodity, its a passion that moves you as an
individual and collectively moves us as a nation.
R adio
All trails for BBC Music events should look to share
our passion for the music. While there is no brand
sign-off or endline, the essence of our brand (putting
your love for music first) should be tonally reflected.
Sound is clearly vital in radio trails but language
should also reflect our belief that music is what
emotions sound like; a visceral experience that
touches us at our core. Language should therefore
be evocative of the moods accessed in the events
and programmes. Above all else, we recognise that
our primary role is not functional; it is to emotionally
connect with audiences and to enhance their
enjoyment of the content.
Where BBC Music plays a supporting role to one of
our partner brands (e.g. BBC Radio 3), BBC Music
should be explicitly referenced in the script.
continued...
26
C ontinuity A N D E ditorial

Our language should be active and reflect the visceral

nature of music and the movement that results from
absorbing music. Phrases such as:

Explore the

Enjoy the

Get lost in

Indulge your senses

Join us

Get closer to

Be part of

Experience the

O nline

bbc.co.uk/music is the home of BBC Music and the hub for

all BBC music events, programming and news.

All references to bbc.co.uk/music should be referred to

BBC MUSIC ONLINE.

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A PP E N D I X

The purpose of this appendix to the style guide is to

provide two examples of how the new BBC Music brand is
used with existing BBC properties. First, we have therefore
adapted the BBC Glastonbury coverage from 2014,
highlighting how a selection of design assets change to re-
align the festival content under BBC Music.

Second, we have adapted Radio 1s Live Lounge branding

to reflect the support provided by BBC Music showing
the lighter touch of the BBC Music brand on existing
owned properties.

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B B C M U S I C G L A S T O N B U RY

The Glastonbury Festival is covered across the BBC, with

no channel or station having ownership of the festival
programmng and coverage. It is a pan-BBC event. Up
until now, the coverage of Glastonbury has been branded
BBC at Glastonbury. Going forward, the coverage will be
branded BBC Music Glastonbury to better attribute our
ownership to the BBC Music brand.

A L O C K U P, N O T A L O G O

BBC Music Glastonbury is a lock-up, not a logo in its

own right. As such, the two elements (BBC Music and
Glastonbury) can be rearranged according to art
directional needs. The event is to be labelled BBC Music
Glastonbury, not BBC at Glastonbury as in previous years.
However, when voiced, BBC Music at Glastonbury is the
correct articulation.

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B B C M U S I C G L A S T O N B U RY

TRAILS

As with all priority trails, the BBC Music logo will form at
the top of the trail as a way into the content.

At the end of the trail, the BBC Music Glastonbury

lock-up will sign off the trail. Any ATV information
including channel patches will then appear as per the
channel guidelines.

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B B C M U S I C G L A S T O N B U RY

C O N N E C T E D R E D B U T TO N M E N U

Clicking through to Music within Connected Red Button

brings up a panel that is branded Music (with no
BBC logo).

In the programme panes, the Live logos and any other

onscreen graphics will appear in a black holding device.

C O N N E C T E D R E D B U T TO N
COVERAGE

Within the Glastonbury specific area of the Connected

Red Button site, the branding would utilise the BBC Music
Glastonbury lock-up.

The panes providing live streams would be appear as per

the existing design guidelines.

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B B C M U S I C G L A S T O N B U RY

OFF-AIR
( S TA T I C P O S T E R : A PP O I N T M E N T- T O -
VIEW LED)

Where there is a specific call to action (specific

programming and channel ownership) the content leads the
communication.

The BBC Music Glastonbury lock-up provides a hallmark

and unites event content across stations and channels.

The channel patch and ATV information forms the sign-off,

see Dolly Parton example.

OFF-AIR
( S TA T I C P O S T E R : B R A N D - L E D )

For pan-BBC announcement messaging, the BBC Music

Glastonbury lock-up takes greater prominence, and
ownership of the BBC coverage of the event..

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B B C M U S I C G L A S T O N B U RY

OFF-AIR (EVENTS BRANDING)

Where BBC Music hosts the coverage (at Glastonbury

or The Proms for example) the BBC Music logo plays a
prominent role. This is as true in off-air events branding as
it is anywhere else. In these cases, the BBC Music logo sits
against black, where possible, to improve brand consistency
and stand out.

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B B C M U S I C G L A S T O N B U RY

OFF-AIR (EVENTS BRANDING)

Accessing Glastonbury coverage through bbc.co.uk/music is

through a Glastonbury tab

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BBC RADIO 1 LIVE LOUNGE

BBC RADIO 1 LIVE LOUNGE

BBC properties should always be branded BBC to ensure

attribution back to the masterbrand.

U K B randing

In the UK, Live Lounge is a Radio 1 property and as such

should be consistently branded BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge.

I nternational B randing

Some properties (including Live Lounge) exist outside of

the UK where they are licensed internationally through BBC
Worldwide. In these cases, there still needs to be attribution
back to the masterbrand but the UK Radio 1 branding is not
appropriate. As such, where Live Lounge content will appear
outside of the UK, the content should be branded BBC Music
Live Lounge.

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RADIO SCRIPT PRE-EVENT POST-EVENT

Pres: The greatest music festival in the world, Peppered throughout this legacy trail, we will hear content
Campaign: Glastonbury only from BBC Music from over the weekend from any BBC TV channel or radio
Trail TX: 21/06/14 station. Not only huge live performances, but what the BBC
Prog TX: 27/06/14 SFX reach crescendo offers in its unrivalled coverage. All content will be knitted
Networks: R1 / 1X / R2 / 6M / 5L / AN SYNC: HELLO GLASTONBURY! together to give a real sense of the amazing moments,
Creative: Red Bee Music kicks in Track from network appropriate headliner(s) captured only on the BBC.
Producer: Dan Snaith Pres: With more performances, and more ways Pres: Its the greatest music festival in the world.
of enjoying them
SYNC: THANK YOU GLASTONBURY!
Pres: Experience a weekend of incredible live music
Radio trails would follow the tone of the TV Launch trail, with Example content throughout
Pres: Whatever youre into, wherever you are
a sense of audio anticipation, before the explosion of music,
and whenever you want it Live music from the biggest network relevant artists
and sound bites chosen to clearly communicate the message;
Say hello Glastonbury! (2 / 3 tracks per trail)
say hello to Glastonbury throughout the trail.
Starts next Friday, at bbc.co.uk/glastonbury Short clips of performers on stage youve been
VO lines would be divided between multiple BBC Radio talent, amazing Glastonbury
reading alternate lines. TAGS: Starts (on) Friday
Soundbite from a performer fresh off stage most amazing
Starts tomorrow
experience of my life
Clips from presenters and even audience members
DURING
BAND was the best gig Ive ever seen phenomenal
Pres: The greatest music festival in the world,
only from BBC Music Pres: Glastonbury only from BBC Music

SFX reach crescendo More radio/tv content

SYNC: HELLO GLASTONBURY!
Music kicks in Track from network appropriate headliner(s)
Pres: With more performances, and more ways
of enjoying them
SYNC: THANK YOU GLASTONBURY! Or similar.
Pres: Re-live a weekend of incredible live music on
BBC iPlayer and at bbc.co.uk/glastonbury

Pres: Experience a weekend of incredible live music

Pres: Whatever youre into, wherever you are and
whenever you want it
Say hello Glastonbury!
Catch it all, at bbc.co.uk/Glastonbury

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