Playboy: An Iconic Brand That's Still Relevant After 65 Years

For 65 years and counting, the Playboy brand has been an iconic part of pop culture, variously defined by its Playboy centerfolds, interviews with celebrities, and Playboy Bunny waitresses. But even after all these years, the Playboy brand is still relevant today, thanks in part to thoughtful marketing, rebranding, and a commitment to culture-shaping content.

To begin with, the Playboy brand has shifted and changed as much as the culture itself. Founding publisher Hugh Hefner determined the magazine’s original mission back in the 1950s—promote freedom of speech, sexual liberation and progressive social values. Decades later, the brand has stayed true to Hefner’s vision, but this mission has been adjusted over the years to match the changing landscape. Over time, the magazine shifted toward a focus on lifestyle, fashion, and entertainment pieces—areas where it could compete with increasingly popular digital platforms.

Today, the magazine continues to showcase of-the-moment celebrities, but it also leans heavily into its digital content. The Playboy website and social media accounts serve as hubs for interviews, videos, and entertaining content that ranges from silly prank videos to more thoughtful articles. The brand’s social media presence is especially strong and influences millions of readers around the world. As of 2021, the Playboy Instagram account has over 17 million followers and its Twitter account has almost 7 million followers.

But more than just marketing and content, the Playboy brand remains relevant because of its commitment to culture-shaping conversations. At its beginning, the magazine pushed the envelope by covering topics which weren’t considered appropriate dialogue in the 1950s and 1960s. Now, the brand encourages meaningful conversations about the state of popular culture and things that matter to its readers. This has included investigative pieces, thoughtful articles, and advocacy campaigns that serve the reader.

After 65 years, the Playboy brand shows no signs of slowing down. Thanks to its commitment to delivering innovative content and its participation in culture-shaping conversations, it’s still as relevant today as it was when it launched.