We’ve all seen what can happen when brands suddenly change their iconic identities. Gap recently succumbed to a not-so-surprising defeat after attempting an update to its 20-year-old logo. After unceremoniously returning to the original, President Marka Hansen is being called into question for allegedly giving the go-ahead for the launch of the new logo against the counsel of her marketing team. Internal strife and lack of respect for its consumers’ opinions have turned fans against Gap as it prepares for the holiday shopping season.

Despites Gap’s obvious missteps, we know the world will keep turning and brands will keep revamping themselves. So what can brands learn from the debacle? Don’t assume your fans are as ready for a change as you are. Consumers’ brand loyalty is often linked to nostalgia and sudden changes can lead to estrangement. In fact, people are so protective of their favorite brands that a recent survey found 52 percent of Americans expect prominent companies to ask for the public’s input before making major changes to their logos, packaging or products. So, forego the shock factor and ease your audience into major overhauls.

One brand taking heed as it prepares for some big changes is Mattel. It seems Ken – Barbie’s longtime love – is feeling dowdy lately and has decided to get a little work done ahead of his 50^th birthday. To celebrate the makeover, Mattel is launching an online reality series to find the one man in America who best demonstrates “Ken-ability.” The eight-episode “Genuine Ken: The Search for the Great American Boyfriend,” hosted by Whitney Port of MTV’s “The City,” will feature eight men competing in various elimination challenges to find America’s best Ken. Visitors to the site can nominate and vote for the eight contestants and even download a mobile app. The site also integrates with Ken’s Facebook and Twitter pages.

Mattel hopes the series and website will help position Ken to a newer, more mature audience, while turning his 50^th anniversary and makeover unveiling into a newsworthy event. Either way, fans have the opportunity to join the brand in celebrating its heritage and looking ahead to the future.