Create an Effective Sonic Branding Strategy: A Conversation with Jon Brennan - Part 1

Audio Branding

“That’s right, yeah, and to me, that’s one of the most important steps in the whole process is this research, brand assessment. And then you bring that research and assessment to life in the mood board, and that is what allows you to create something that is so customized to this brand, that it only works for this brand.” – Jon Brennan

This week’s guest is a lifelong audio producer who loves to help brands communicate effectively through sound. He regularly produces voiceover and sound design for brands like Tide, Downy, Cascade, Henkel, Dell computers, and more, and he’s led the creation of such audio branding identities as Amazon Alexa, Hostess, Boomchickapop, and Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey.

His name is Jon Brennan, and since our last conversation, episodes 126 and 127, he joined Sixième Son, a world leader in audio branding, as a senior account executive, where he managed the creation of audio identities for Fortune 500 companies and brands. After two years, Jon returned to lead his own audio branding agency Sonic Signatures in 2024. He enjoys using his love of music and audio to entertain and inspire others, and we’ll be talking a lot about how companies can and should work audio branding into their marketing plans. While Jon has worked with some very large companies in this capacity, the Fortune 500 aren’t the only ones who benefit from this kind of strategy.

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(0:00:00) - Journey in Sonic Branding Industry

As our episode starts off, Jon tells us about a recent experience with sound, and how it sparked bittersweet memories of his late uncle. “I distinctly heard my uncle’s voice,” he recalls, “and his characteristic laughter coming from the other room, and it’s just like I just thought my uncle Tom was there for a minute and it actually moved me to the point that I just got totally choked up.” He describes his work with Sixième Son and such clients as Boomchickapop and Hostess, and the reason for his return to Sonic Signatures earlier this year. “Going back to my own agency,” he explains, “I’m able to be the creative director, I’m able to write concepts as well as tap other very talented composers to write concepts as well, and I’m just very fulfilled when I’m able to have that creative energy.”

(0:16:56) - Effective Sonic Branding for Regional Companies

We take a closer look at some of Jon’s recent ad campaigns, and he tells us about a particularly memorable sonic branding project for Fireball Whiskey. “You’ve got the dragon who sounds like a demon,” he says, “but then you’ve got this angel choir that is hanging out high above him in the audio spectrum... and so together it makes this disruptive sound that is also very memorable.” Jon talks about how remote studios and audio workstations have changed the recording landscape over just the past two years, and his advice to smaller companies looking to build an audio brand. “If you are active in creating videos,” he explains, “whether those are streaming, broadcast or digital YouTube, you’re creating content that is audiovisual. You’re only going to make it that much more effective when you’re using custom music, custom sounds that pertain to your brand identity.”

(0:22:30) - Brand Identity and Sonic Innovation

As we wrap up the first half of our discussion, Jon tells us the first of his ten essential tips for a compelling audio campaign. “These are the top ten things that are, you know, essential to creating an effective audio brand,” he begins. “So number one, you want to know what your primary business needs are that audio branding can solve.” He shares his step-by-step process for building the right audio logo and how a sonic brand helps clients and their customers see the brand in a new light. “Not only is it memorable attention,” he explains, “but when we go through this audio branding process, we’re going to reveal things about the brand, how you want the brand to feel to your consumer.”

Episode Summary

• Jon talks about his work with Sixième Son on such brands as Boomchickapop and Hostess.
• How remote work has boosted audio branding’s reach and made it more accessible.
• Jon shares the first of his ten audio tips for building a stronger audio branding strategy.

Tune in for part two of our conversation as Jon continues his ten tips for building a successful audio campaign, including the value of brand integration and building a holistic approach to sonic branding, as well as how Roblox, AI music, and UX design all might fit into the future of sound.

Jon's 10 Best Practices for Effective Audio Branding: https://www.sonicsignatures.io/post/10-best-practices-for-audio-branding

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Editing/Production by Humberto Franco - https://humbertofranco.com/

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