Mozilla Gets a Makeover

It’s actually a good problem to have.

Lots of people know Firefox – the web browser with an increased focus on privacy and accessibility. Fewer people know the organization behind Firefox – Mozilla.

Mozilla’s recent rebrand is an attempt to correct that disconnect.

The rebrand had its work cut out for it. Mozilla is a unique entity – part corporation, part foundation. It has products (like Firefox) but also advocates more broadly for a healthy internet with greater accountability for tech companies and greater privacy for users.

A Rebrand with a Purpose

The updated digital identity is designed to better align with that call for an open, accessible, and supportive internet. The most impactful update is to Mozilla’s logo, which replaces the (admittedly very clever) “Moz://a” with a properly spelled name and a flag that harkens back to earlier days of the web.

The rebrand has been dubbed “Grassroots to Government” – a smart way to align the updates and bring some of the rationale to the forefront.

Here’s Mozilla brand leader Amy Bebbington:

“It speaks to grassroots coders developing tools to empower users, government officials advocating for better internet safety laws, and everyday consumers looking to reclaim control of their digital lives.”

The rebrand does draw a more distinct line between Firefox and the broader Mozilla brand. It also creates spaces for new products and initiatives. According to Mozilla’s CEO: “This rebrand isn’t just a facelift — we’re laying the foundation for the next 25 years.”

That underscores an important point: Too often, rebrands are too retrospective. It’s about getting all the new products and services developed since the last rebrand back under one roof.

With this rebrand, Mozilla is smart to think about its future state.