.

Truth is, it once was (kinda).   

Check out this article and slide show from Fortune magazine about several brands' new logo choices.

A lot of these logo updates are all part of a rebranding trend due to the economy. Dissociate your product with the ideas of inflation and big corporations by making the logo simpler and more similar to traditionally cheaper/generic lines' packaging, and voila!! No one will know you're still charging the same!

Think Pepsi, Microsoft, Wal-Mart, and Best Buy in particular: 

Not really sure about the Nickelodeon thing, but I guess those kids were clamoring for change.

Here's a great article about the streamlining of brand identity design, which some companies believe will make them seem "friendlier" and more comforting to consumers.