It isn’t 1984 anymore

I recently joined a marketing firm that creates action plans for cities that are struggling with tourism. They claim the be “the best in the business.” They are always promoting “first impressions,” yet their logo is dated.

I came up with something fun and modern, which is what they always promote to their clients.

My CEO sent the logo (as well as other comps) out to “test it” with 50 of their past clients and it got shot down.

Can someone give me some perspective? They want me to “make the existing logo better.” I am having a hard time looking at the existing logo and coming up with any thoughts.