P&G'S `MOON-AND-STARS' LOGO UNDERGOES CHANGE

CINCINNATI -- Procter and Gamble Co. is redesigning its traditional moon-and-stars logo which has prompted what the consumer products giant called false rumors linking it with the devil.

The company is also adopting a script-type corporate logo to complement the symbol of a bearded man in a crescent moon surrounded by starts, company spokesman Terry Loftus said this week.

Stationery, business cards and other materials will feature either a script-like "Procter & Gamble," or "P&G" the company said.

The moon and stars will continue to be the company's officially registered trademark, but the company is eliminating curly hairs in the man's beard that looked like the number "6."

The sixes help fuel the rumors that P&G supports Satan, since the number 666 is linked with the devil in the Bible's Book of Revelations.

P&G has filed lawsuits and issued repeated statements to deny the rumors since they started in about 1981.

"The moon and stars remain as an important company trademark," said Loftus. "We will continue to use it broadly."

Of the new letter logos, Loftus said, "we're looking to develop corporate identity symbols that would translate to consumers around the world."

Since 1955, P&G has gradually removed the moon-and-stars mark from most of its product. The symbol probably will be limited to use in building and on awards and stationery, P&G said.

Procter & Gamble has announced that it is reorganizing to reflect the company's growing overseas operations. P&G has created six foreign management operating units and has given most of the company's officers new titles.