AOL Monday announced that, next month, it will become an independent, stand-alone entity ‘Aol.’; thereby ending a decade-long relationship with its parent Time Warner.

Furthermore, AOL will also apparently follow Google-akin brand identity manual, and regularly alter the image accompanying its logo. Showing examples of the proposed logo image changes, the company revealed that it will also resort to new art and animations corresponding to its new brand.

AOL said that December 10, 2010 will be a big day for it for two main reasons – it is the scheduled day for the official unveiling of the final version of AOL’s new brand identity; as well as the day when AOL will commerce trading on the New York Stock Exchange as a separate company.

According to AOL CEO Tim Armstrong, the company, which will be “committed to creating the world's most simple and stimulating content and online experiences,” is offering pre-spin-off buyouts to 2,500 of its employees, so as to reduce its workforce by almost one-third.

About the forthcoming new brand identity status of AOL, Karl Heiselman, CEO of Wolff Olins, which teamed up with AOL to create ‘Aol.’, said: “AOL is a 21st century media company, with an ambitious vision for the future and new focus on creativity and expression, this required the new brand identity to be open and generous, to invite conversation and collaboration, and to feel credible, but also aspirational.”