New Year, New Sound: 5 Ways to Get a Fresh Start on Your Brand’s Sound

It’s 2025. The rules of engagement have shifted. Again.

Welcome to the era where brands don’t just compete for attention—they fight for relevance. The world moves fast, and the brands that thrive aren’t necessarily the loudest but the ones that adapt. And here’s the thing: adaptation isn’t just about pivoting strategies or launching new campaigns. It’s about finding ways to cut through the clutter and noise.

Enter sound—not as a garnish, but as the main course.

Sonic branding is a strategic and comprehensive approach to utilizing sound and music to establish a distinct and enduring brand identity. This encompasses a wide array of auditory elements, including jingles, sonic logos, brand anthems, and even the subtle soundscapes associated with a brand's digital and physical environments. 

A successful sonic branding strategy goes beyond simply creating catchy tunes; it involves a meticulous understanding of the brand's values, personality, and target audience. It requires careful consideration of the psychological and emotional impact of sound, as well as the context in which it will be used. 

When executed effectively, sonic branding can become a powerful tool for building brand awareness, loyalty, and equity.

Sonic Branding: A Timeless Tool Rediscovered

But first, let’s actually address the elephant in the room: sonic branding isn’t new. 

From Intel’s iconic chime to the swoosh of a lightsaber, sound has always been a part of how brands and stories connect with audiences. What’s changed is its relevance in today’s hyper-competitive, multi-platform world. With attention spans shrinking and sensory overload becoming the norm, sound has emerged as a uniquely effective way to cut through all that — literally and figuratively.

The re-emergence of sonic branding underscores its timeless utility, not as a novelty but as a strategic necessity.

At Hit Productions, we don’t just acknowledge its history—we leverage its enduring power to help brands thrive in an ever-evolving landscape. Sonic branding isn’t new, but its applications have never been more relevant.

That said, sonic branding has gone from a nice-to-have into becoming the cornerstone of how modern brands engage, connect, and differentiate. It’s immersive, it’s emotional, and it’s ruthlessly effective. Think of it as your brand’s heartbeat—a sound that doesn’t just stick but imprints your identity on the minds of your audience.

As 2025 unfolds, it’s time to ask yourself: Is your brand equipped to stand out, and stay memorable in a world where technology and consumer expectations change faster than you can say “metaverse”? 

Hit Productions, a pioneer in creative media production in the Philippines, isn’t just riding the wave of change—they’re helping brands like yours define it. 

Let’s explore the top 5 sonic branding trends to look out for in 2025.

The Top 5 Sonic Branding Trends of 2025

Sound is taking center stage in branding, driving deeper connections and sharper differentiation. According to Kantar’s BrandZ research, brands with well-defined assets—sonic included—enjoy a 76% boost in brand power and a staggering 138% increase in perceived advertising strength.

Consider the Netflix "ta-dum". In under two seconds, it conditions the audience every time a user hits play.

That deep sound evokes anticipation, signaling that they’re about to enter a world of storytelling and entertainment. It sets the tone, prepares the viewer for the experience ahead, and subtly reinforces the brand’s identity as a gateway to compelling, high-quality content. 

Over time, the "ta-dum" has become a Pavlovian trigger for excitement, comfort, and the promise of an immersive escape, proving how even the simplest sounds can carry powerful emotional weight.

That’s the power of sonic branding: a small sound with massive impact. From hyper-personalization to immersive experiences, these trends aren’t just reshaping how brands communicate—they’re ensuring your audience remembers you.

Here’s what’s redefining sound in branding this 2025.

Trend 1: Hyper-Personalized Sound Experiences

Photo source: ABS-CBN

What It Is

Hyper-personalization in sound is where data meets dopamine. It refers to the use of data and AI to tailor audio content to individual user preferences, behaviors, and contexts. This approach transforms generic audio experiences into dynamic, context-aware interactions that feel uniquely personal.

It’s not just background music; it’s background music that knows you. Think dynamic jingles that shift with your morning mood or a shopping app that plays something soothing when it detects decision fatigue. 

Creepy? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely.

Why It Matters

We live in a world where your audience expects to be the star of their own movie. Generic jingles don’t cut it anymore.

With consumers expecting deeper connections with brands, personalization has become key to standing out. This level of customization enhances user engagement and creates a memorable and meaningful brand connection.

Real-World Application

Spotify nailed this with their Daily Mixes, creating playlists that feel like your favorite DJ knows you personally. Similarly, some fitness apps adjust their soundtracks to your pace, turning a run into a cinematic moment. Brands can take this further with apps that use location data to adjust audio—for example, upbeat tunes in the morning commute and calming sounds after work.

How Hit Can Help

At Hit Productions, we specialize in helping brands in their goals to craft personalized audio experiences. Whether it’s creating soundscapes for apps or developing jingles, we combine technological expertise with creative artistry to ensure your sound strategy feels authentic and human.

Like when Kazu Cafe wanted more than great cafe vibes, they called us. Hit Productions delivered a custom-curated playlist that hits all the right notes—including a rainy day playlist perfect for stormy afternoons when the drizzle outside meets the warmth of a good meal. Think of it as mood management, powered by music.

Trend 2: Immersive Soundscapes for Digital and AR/VR Campaigns

What It Is

AR, VR, and immersive technologies are reshaping how brands engage their audiences, creating experiences that go beyond traditional advertising. These technologies leverage spatial audio to add depth, realism, and emotion, transforming campaigns into multi-dimensional narratives.

Spatial audio creates a 360-degree auditory environment where sound moves with you. It’s the difference between watching a video and stepping into the scene.

Why It Matters

Immersive soundscapes provide a sensory-rich experience that captures attention and creates lasting impressions. Research shows that immersive audio can increase emotional engagement by up to 44% compared to traditional sound design.

While immersive soundscapes aren't entirely new, their resurgence is fueled by advancements in technology and increased consumer adoption. The global AR and VR market is projected to generate over $40.4 billion in B2C-specific revenue during 2024, indicating significant economic potential.

This growth reflects a broader trend where AR and VR technologies are becoming integral to enhancing online marketing strategies. As these technologies become more accessible, brands can create richer, more engaging experiences that resonate with today's tech-savvy consumers.

Real-World Applications

Early adopters like TOMS set the benchmark with their "A Walk in Their Shoes" campaign, using VR to foster empathy and connect consumers to their mission. This initiative allowed users to virtually accompany a TOMS customer on a journey to meet a child who benefits from their shoe purchase, creating a profound connection between consumers and the cause they support.

More recently, the integration of immersive soundscapes has been exemplified by:

• Virtual Concerts on Fortnite: Globally recognized artists like Marshmello and Travis Scott have redefined live performances by hosting virtual concerts within Fortnite. Marshmello's 2019 concert attracted over 10 million players, while Travis Scott’s “Astronomical” event in 2020 captivated 12.3 million concurrent players, setting a new record. These events showcased how immersive soundscapes and interactive visuals can create engaging virtual experiences.

• ABBA Voyage (2022–Present): This groundbreaking concert experience features digital avatars, or "ABBAtars," of the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA. Using advanced motion-capture and performance techniques, the show recreates the band as they appeared in 1979. Held in a custom-built arena in London equipped with 291 speakers and over 500 moving lights, ABBA Voyage delivers a seamless blend of nostalgia and cutting-edge immersive technology.

How Hit Can Help

Crafting immersive soundscapes requires more than technology; it demands a deep understanding of how sound interacts with space, movement, and emotion.

At Hit Productions, we don’t just create soundscapes—we engineer experiences. Whether it’s an interactive AR ad or a VR showroom, we design audio that places users in the center of the action. Our Dolby Atmos™ expertise ensures your sound isn’t just immersive—it’s unforgettable.

Trend 3: Multi-Sensory Branding with Unified Audio and Visual Elements

Source: CommArts

What It Is
Multi-sensory branding refers to the strategic integration of sound, visuals, and even haptic feedback to create cohesive, immersive brand experiences. With innovations like Dolby Atmos™, brands are now able to craft three-dimensional soundscapes that seamlessly enhance visual storytelling, taking engagement to an entirely new level.

GIF Source: Algoworks

Haptic feedback is a way for your phone, video game controller, or other gadgets to "talk" to you through touch. It might feel like a small vibration, a gentle tap, or a little buzz when you press a button or interact with something on the screen. This makes it seem like you're really touching something, even if it's just digital. 

For example, when you type on your phone and feel a tiny buzz with each letter, that's haptic feedback helping you know you've pressed the key. It's like a friendly nudge to make technology feel more real.

Why It Matters
Today’s consumers crave experiences that go beyond the transactional—they want to feel transported, 63% of customers report that they want more multi-sensory experiences from brands. By unifying audio and visual elements, brands can create storytelling moments that captivate and linger in memory. Studies show that multi-sensory experiences improve brand recall by up to 70%.

Real-World Applications
Brands are increasingly using multi-sensory marketing to captivate audiences, combining sound, visuals, and other sensory elements to stand out in a crowded marketplace and create memorable experiences.

• Glade’s Museum of Feelings wasn’t just ahead of its time—it was one of those that helped write the playbook on multi-sensory brand marketing. This 2015 pop-up wasn’t about selling Glade; it was about selling an emotion. Each room pulled visitors into a fully immersive world where scent, color, touch, and custom soundscapes worked together to hit the senses from every angle.
  It never felt like a sales pitch. It was emotional branding at its peak, showing how a brand could transcend its product and become part of your lived experience. Nearly a decade later, the Museum of Feelings is still a benchmark for brands aiming to go beyond just being seen or heard—they want to be felt.

• KFC’s "Kentucky Fried Chicken Rain" ASMR Campaign (2024): KFC partnered with Hatch to produce an ASMR soundscape that highlighted the calming sound of frying chicken. Available on sleep wellness platforms like Hatch’s Restore 2 and Spotify, this campaign turned a brand sound into a soothing sensory experience, reinforcing its identity in an unconventional way.

How Hit Can Help
As the first Dolby Atmos™ certified studio in the Philippines for advertising, localization, and dubbing, Hit Productions works at the intersection of sound and storytelling. Whether it’s a digital campaign or a full-blown brand activation, we help you create multisensory experiences that captivate and inspire.

Trend 4: Short-Form Audio Content for Social Media

Source: (Screengrab from YouTube/ Netflix)

What It Is
Short-form audio is the elevator pitch of the digital world—brief, impactful, and designed to stick. It’s the snappy jingle, the three-second audio logo, or the catchy sound bite that grabs attention on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube Shorts.

These audio logos or hooks deliver instant recall and act as a sonic signature for brands in the fast-paced world of social media.

Why It Matters
With 90% of consumers engaging with short-form video daily and the same research saying 73% use short-form content when searching for new products or services, brands must adapt their sound strategies to match this trend. 

Research from Nielsen indicates that audio branding increases brand recognition by 46%, making it a critical investment for businesses looking to stand out in noisy digital spaces.

Real-World Applications

Sonic branding has long been synonymous with the iconic jingles and audio logos that make brands instantly recognizable. Hit Productions has helped create some of these memorable sounds for local favorites like GoTyme and GCash, where a few distinct notes encapsulate an entire brand identity.

TikTok’s viral “sounds” have shown how a catchy audio snippet can define a trend, much like the Squid Game (Let’s Play) soundtrack. Brands like McDonald’s use short audio logos to spark instant recognition and reinforce their identity across platforms.

This classic approach has defined the playbook for years, but in 2025, short-form audio is evolving into something more dynamic.

Today, the strategy is taking cues from short-form video content, with brands adopting audio snippets that go beyond jingles. Think podcast highlights, serialized audio dramas, or micro-interviews (like the Tiny Microphone Interview trend) that hook listeners in seconds. These bite-sized sound bites mirror the brevity and engagement of TikTok or Instagram Reels, but with a focus on auditory storytelling.

For instance, major podcast creators are releasing 60-second teasers of new episodes to spark curiosity, while serialized audio dramas, like those used in Spotify's audio-first campaigns, drop quick, cliffhanger-driven episodes that keep audiences coming back for more. 

This shift is proof that brands are finding fresh ways to stay relevant in the attention economy—turning sound into a tool for sparking curiosity and fostering connection, one short-form clip at a time.

How Hit Can Help
Hit Productions creates short-form audio content tailored for maximum impact on social platforms. Whether it’s a snappy audio logo or a custom sound bite for your latest campaign, we ensure your brand cuts through the noise and stays top of mind.

Trend 5: AI Might Understand How Your Audience Feels More than You Do (and here’s how to keep up)

What It Is

Our relationship with music has shifted. Music has become a tool for setting the tone in our daily lives, helping us focus, relax, or find motivation.

For brands, that means it’s time to stop treating music like background noise and start seeing it for what it is—a power tool for building emotional connections and making your audience actually feel something.

Why It Matters

Today’s consumers have BS detectors set to maximum. They can quickly spot insincerity or out-of-touch attempts to leverage popular music. The key to effective sonic branding lies in understanding the emotional space a brand wants to occupy. 

When you know the vibe your brand wants to own, you can create soundscapes that feel authentic, resonate deeply, and make your audience think, “Yeah, that’s so them.”

AI as a Game-Changer in Measuring and Shaping Emotional Resonance

Source: Kantar

Breaking music down into measurable elements like tempo, rhythm, melody, and timbre can tell you a lot about its structure, but it misses the bigger picture—how it makes people feel. Music’s emotional impact isn’t just about its technical makeup; it’s about the psychological connection we have with it and the moments it shapes in our lives.

Advances in AI are taking sonic branding to a new level by allowing brands to measure and shape the emotional impact of music with greater precision. Tools like NeedScope AI analyze the emotional components of music—tempo, rhythm, melody, and lyrical tone—to map tracks onto defined emotional spaces (i.e. yellow for joyful, red for wild/rebellious, and so on). This framework enables brands to select music that aligns perfectly with their intended emotional positioning.

Real-World Examples:

Take Gucci’s curated playlists as an example. These aren’t just random tracks thrown together; they’re meticulously designed soundscapes that align with the brand’s luxurious, avant-garde identity. The playlists play a key role in creating an in-store atmosphere that feels exclusive yet approachable, amplifying the mood of customers as they browse.

While there isn’t a specific study on directly tying customer emotion to Gucci’s playlists, broader research on retail environments shows that music significantly impacts customer behavior. Studies suggest that thoughtfully selected music can increase dwell time and improve mood. By aligning sound with their brand persona, Gucci reinforces their identity while subtly enhancing the shopping experience. It’s sonic branding at its most seamless.

How Hit Can Help

AI is unlocking new realms in immersive, personalized soundscapes, and the potential is only growing. But here’s the thing—consistency matters. Without clear guidelines for how music and sound are used across platforms, even the most innovative sonic branding falls flat. With AI as an ally—not a substitute for human ingenuity—brands can craft audio strategies that not only captivate but connect authentically.

Hit Productions understands sound and its power to move people. By merging AI-driven precision with decades of creative expertise, we help brands create sonic identities that aren’t just heard but felt. Whether you’re starting from scratch or fine-tuning your current one, we’ll help you own your sound and make it unforgettable.

8 Benefits of Sonic Branding

So what have we learned about sonic branding based on the trends above? We’ve condensed them to 8 benefits:

1. Instant Recognition: A well-crafted audio signature creates immediate brand recall. Remember "ta-dum" from Netflix or Intel’s chime? Exactly. They’re sounds that are instantly associated with their brands. 

2. Emotional Connection: Sonic branding taps into emotions in ways visuals alone cannot. Nokia’s Grand Valse is the soundtrack to the late 90s and early 2000s. With the right sound, you can evoke joy, nostalgia, excitement, or trust, and thereby forge deeper connections with your audience.

3. Multi-Platform Consistency: With audiences engaging across diverse platforms—from podcasts to streaming services to smart speakers—sonic branding ensures a consistent brand identity across all touchpoints.

4. Enhanced Recall and Retention: People remember what they hear. Audio elements like jingles or sound logos stick in memory longer than visuals, increasing brand retention.

5. Sensory Differentiation: Sonic branding helps brands stand out, especially in audio-first environments like podcasts or voice-activated devices.

6. Brand Personality and Storytelling: Sounds can embody a brand’s values and story. Whether it’s playful (Shopee), luxurious, or inspiring visuals the way TED’s sonic brand does (a drop, then ripples), sonic branding communicates these traits in seconds.

7. Behavioral Conditioning: Like Netflix’s "ta-dum," sonic branding can condition audiences to associate certain emotions or actions with a brand, encouraging repeated engagement.

8. Accessibility and Inclusivity: Sonic branding ensures brands are recognizable even for visually impaired audiences, making experiences more inclusive.

How to Refresh Your Brand’s Sound for the New Year

There’s no better time than now to take action to ensure your brand’s sound strategy reflects who you are and the story you want to tell. Here’s how:

Get Creative with Mixed Reality: Mixed reality combines real and virtual worlds to create interactive experiences where sound plays a crucial role in anchoring users in these hybrid environments. For sonic branding, these technologies offer unparalleled opportunities to innovate, engage, and captivate.

Think beyond the headset: Immersive Technology isn’t confined to hardware alone. What it really involves is creating auditory environments that echo across devices and platforms.

Whether it’s spatial audio that adapts to a user’s movements in VR or soundscapes that enhance AR campaigns, the possibilities are vast. Immersive technologies allow brands to create emotional, memorable touchpoints that go far beyond traditional advertising.

Partner with Hit Productions: At Hit Productions, we specialize in designing sonic branding strategies that align with your brand’s evolving needs and 2025 goals.

The brands that embrace these technologies now will define the next era of branding. The question isn’t if you should get creative with mixed reality—it’s how far your imagination can take you. 

New Year, New Opportunities for Your Brand Sound

Here’s the reality: 2025 is already in motion, and it’s not going to wait for you. The brands that succeed won’t be the ones that play it safe—they’ll be the ones bold enough to make an impact that matters. Sound has become a brand’s handshake, a gut-punch of recognition that cuts through the clutter and builds connections people remember.

Sonic branding isn’t about background music or filler jingles. It’s about crafting an auditory identity that makes your audience lean in—something they can’t help but associate with your story, your vision, your edge. At Hit Productions, we don't just blindly follow trends, we help you create and shape them.

2025 is your chance to own the moment. Will your brand whisper or strike a chord so deep it echoes?

Explore our work to see how we can transform your brand’s sonic presence.