Sonic branding is crucial as companies interact with consumers in non-visual ways, such as through smart speakers or digital payments, making sound a key identifier.
Sonic branding is a comprehensive audio identity system, not just a short snippet, used consistently across various media to create a unified auditory brand experience.
AT&T's reputation was lagging due to past service issues, and its ads were not effectively attributed to the brand. Sonic branding aimed to create a human, approachable sound to improve brand perception and recognition.
The process involved defining the brand's desired sound as 'human,' experimenting with various musical styles, and finally settling on a four-note melody that became the iconic sonic logo.
Repetition makes the sound more familiar and likable, embedding it in consumers' minds so that hearing the sound triggers recognition and positive associations with the brand.
Research shows that specific sounds can enhance or alter the perceived taste of food and beverages, a phenomenon known as 'sonic seasoning,' which can be used in marketing to influence consumer experience.
Future marketing may integrate coordinated sensory experiences, including sound, smell, taste, and visual elements, to create a holistic brand interaction that enhances consumer engagement and satisfaction.
Companies spend a lot of time and effort perfecting the look of their brands. But now what a brand sounds like matters just as much. We trace the history from songs to jingles to what's called sonic branding, following the creative process that led to AT&T’s iconic four-note sound logo. And we'll explore what comes next: multi-sensory marketing. Can sound change how beer tastes? *This episode originally aired on Household Name). *
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