The Emotional Resonance Of Sonic Branding: How Sound Connects Us To Brands.

Introduction

Sonic branding or the strategic use of sound and music, has become an essential element in modern advertising. It engages consumers on a visceral level, creating emotional connections that drive loyalty, engagement and a unique brand experience. In this article, we will delve into the emotional side of sonic branding and examine how four key aspects contribute to its effectiveness.

Let’s dive in..

1. The Neuroscience of Sound

To understand the emotional power of sonic branding, we need to look at how our brains process sound. When we hear a piece of music or a familiar sound, our brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and reward. This chemical reaction creates a strong emotional bond between the listener and the sound, leading to a deeper connection with the brand.

A prime example of this in the Indian market is the jingle for the popular instant noodle brand Maggi. The tune has become synonymous with the product, evoking memories of childhood and home-cooked meals, and prompting an emotional response from consumers. So if you ask any average Indian, many of them may even sing “Maggi, Maggi, Maggi” when they’re making it. That’s how powerful the right sound can be. Check out their iconic ad below.

2. Sound as a Cultural Connector

Music and sound connect us to our cultural roots and create a sense of belonging. Brands have leveraged this to build an emotional bond with their target audience. By using sounds and music that are culturally relevant across geographies, they can tap into the audience's shared memories and experiences. This can be specifically useful for larger industry brands, like those in finance or FMCG.

When we worked on Federal Bank’s sonic identity, it had to embody the ‘Caregiver and Creator’ persona of the brand and appeal to different demographics. The tunes we infused into its sonic scape, lent itself well to communicating the brand’s essence: “Human At The Core, Digital At The Fore’. Have a listen!

3. The Power of Nostalgia

Nostalgia can be a powerful emotional trigger in sonic branding. When we evoke this feeling, brands can forge a bond with consumers based on shared experiences and memories. It’s a common yet powerful strategy that brands like Cadbury, Pepsi and Vicks have used in the past. But is this emotion still powerful in a modern context?

Enter, Raymond— one of India’s oldest menswear brands. Loved by millions for its fabrics and suits, their iconic tune defined “The Complete Man” for decades.

The soundscape became synonymous with the brand and hardwired into their sonic language. So we drew on this nostalgic feeling when we adapted their sonic identity.

For their Linen line— known for its lively and breathable qualities— we created a vibrant and playful adaptation which captured the essence of its freshness and carefree nature, evoking a sense of energy and joy in the audience.

Their ‘VIBEZ’ printed fabrics line had bold and vibrant designs. So we infused a zesty adaptation that featured energetic beats, dynamic instrumentation, and catchy hooks that reflected the vivaciousness of the printed fabrics.

4. Instant Recognition and Emotional Connection With Just A MOGO®️

A MOGO ®️ or a Musical Logo is a short, distinctive sonic asset that encapsulates the essence of a brand. It enables instant recognition and creates a strong emotional connection with the consumer. The power of a MOGO ®️ lies in its ability to trigger an emotional response without any accompanying visuals.

So when we got the global mandate to build Mastercard’s sonic identity, we had to reflect the brand’s ‘Priceless’ value and ‘Everyman’ persona through their sonic asset. We distilled these qualities and built different iterations of one asset.

Conclusion

The emotional impact of sonic branding should never be underestimated. With the strategic use of sounds, brands can foster deeper and more meaningful connections with their consumers, proving that the right sound can make all the difference


AI is Revolutionising Sonic Branding: Here’s how!

Sonic branding is no longer just about creating catchy jingles. It's about understanding consumer behaviour, and emotional impact and creating personalised audio branding. In this article, we'll explore the ways in which AI is revolutionising the field of sonic branding, and what opportunities are available for businesses in 2023.

AI KNOWS YOU

Have you ever wondered how companies create catchy jingles or signature sounds that stick in your head long after the ad is over? It’s no secret that AI plays a big role in the process. AI-powered machine learning algorithms can analyse consumer behaviour data to identify patterns and preferences. For example, Burger King uses AI to analyse data on what types of music and sound effects customers respond best to in their restaurants. They then use this information to create more engaging and effective audio branding strategies for the chain.

EAR, THERE, EVERYWHERE

In addition to its use in analysing consumer behaviour, AI is also being used to create and disseminate a brand's sonic identity through various ‘earpoints’. This can include the use of AI to create personalised audio experiences, such as bespoke music recommendations or tailored voice assistants. One brand that has effectively incorporated AI into its sonic branding strategy is Spotify. The music streaming platform used AI to personalise its users' music recommendations and create personalised playlists, helping to create a unique audio experience for each user. Spotify has also used AI to optimise the audio content of its podcasts and create targeted recommendations for listeners.

HEY ALEXA, PLAY MY FAVOURITE SOUND

Another brand that has embraced the use of AI in sonic branding is Amazon. The e-commerce giant's virtual assistant, Alexa, uses AI to humanise its interactions with users and provide individual recommendations for them. Alexa's voice and personality have also become a key part of Amazon's sonic branding, helping to create a unique and memorable audio identity for the brand. In addition to Spotify and Amazon, other brands that have incorporated AI into their sonic branding strategies include Apple (with its Siri virtual assistant), Google (with its Google Assistant), and Nuance Communications (with its Dragon virtual assistant). These examples demonstrate the importance of AI in cementing and amplifying a brand's sonic identity.


THE FUTURE IS ‘AI’NTUITIVE

More brands will use AI to create and disseminate their sonic identities. Whether it's through personalised audio experiences, hyper-optimised audio content, or virtual assistants; brands will connect with their audiences in new and innovative ways. AI is the future of sonic branding, and it's not just for big names like Amazon and Spotify. From podcasts to earpoints, this technology is revolutionising how brands create and spread their audio identity. So, if you want to stand out in the crowded world of branding, it's time to get on board with AI.


Kiss Me, Close Your Eyes And Miss Me

4 Brand Jingles That Wooed Us With Their Sounds Of Love

We all have a favourite jingle of love. And if you’ve grown up watching ads, we can agree that certain brands have cracked the ‘sonic code to love’.

From finding romance in moments with Cadbury Silk’s ‘Kiss Me’, or feeling nostalgic love with Vodafone’s ‘You And I’, some brands have pioneered the space of romantic jingles in advertising. Here are our top 4 picks.

The Song Of Romantic Moments

Cadbury Silk – “Kiss Me, Close Your Eyes And Miss Me”

Delightful. Innocent. Memorably romantic.

Cadbury Silk’s jingle has wooed fans since 2010, and captured love in different moments. It’s the tune that reflects modern Indian life and how love can be shared in the most unexpected moments. Ask any ad nut, and they’ll give you a hundred different reasons why they LOVE this tune.

A Jingle Of Modern Romance

Coke– ‘Tum Jo Mil Gaye Ho”

An interesting fact about this ad jingle is that it’s a remixed version of an old Bollywood song. Created for one of Coke’s ‘Open Happiness’ campaigns, it’s a tune of the modern age love with a twist.

The Sound Of Flirtatious Love

Close Up – “Paas Aao”

Close-Up has always been known for its ‘minty-fresh’ toothpaste. But more than that, their ‘Paas Aao’ campaign from the early 2000s, introduced the jingle of flirtatious love. Capturing various moments of playful romance, this tune represented a new generation of love.

The BALLAD Of Everlasting Love

Vodafone – “You and I”

It became an overnight phenomenon when Vodafone (then Hutch) launched their brand campaign, ‘You and I’. The tune's simplicity with the meaningful lyrics stole our hearts and ears, and could be heard everywhere!

Would these brands consider elevating these love songs from mere jingles to a long-term sonic identity?’

Let us know your thoughts!