This seems to be really well intended, but this is the outcome when you put a data-geek into charge of design instead of a true artist.

If they had just launched a design contest on a freelancer, they would have had a multiple times better results. Why not try a golden-yellow "Y" on a blue background for instance. Think different, play with the colors.

Design has to come from the heart and really reflect the personality of the company and show the LOVE! This yahoo logo still looks very stoic and still like from the 90s, urgs.

Designing is simply not a data-driven approach, it is the complete opposite.