Come along for our adventures in Vancouver as we head to our fifth collaboration with NBC Olympics as music supervisors. Updates will be posted frequently on our blog and Twitter. Check back for pictures, videos, and great stories as we begin our once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Audiobrain and 16 of our sonic branding colleagues had a whirlwind three days ( November 20-22) in Seattle for the MLS Cup Finals between the L.A. Galaxy and Real Salt Lake. From the Seattle Sounders Party in the Seatlle Aquarium (complete with Scuba divers in the tanks playing soccer!), the Commissioner’s Gala at Experience Music- from the sold-out stadium to a full marching band performing the Audiobrain-composed Major League Soccer Anthem, it was a weekend none of us will soon forget- check out our pictures in the Photo section!
Thanks to everyone at MLS for all the great sound collaborations and congratulations on a hugely successful season!
In an initiative designed to create a seamless and three- dimensional sound experience for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system from Microsoft, NewYork based sonic branding firm Audiobrain has developed an audio strategy that will be experienced across many customer touchpoints in the years to come. By bringing a clear and consistent “voice” to the Xbox 360 experience, Audiobrain believes its sonic branding initiative for the Xbox 360 will help revolutionize the way the consumer interacts with the brand on multiple levels, creating a consistent personality while completely differentiating the sound of the Xbox 360 from any of its competitors.
Russ Glaser, Xbox Group UI Design Manager says, “When we set out to bring the Xbox 360 to life by infusing a sonic landscape, we were not looking for a sound design company, we were looking for a group that lived sonic branding. Audiobrain is that company. They developed a sonic dialogue that completed our established design language”.
In addition to the full Xbox 360 product sonification, which includes sound for the user interface, bootup animation and sonic signature, Audiobrain also created additional branded soundscapes for both the MTV Reveal Telecast, and the Xbox 360 E3 Briefing Event, held at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on May16th. Additionally, Audiobrain created a Dolby 5.1 surround sound mix for use in movie theatres and other venues.
When sound is used as a branding tool we can significantly give voice and add equity, and are extremely happy that the Xbox Branding and Product teams place such a high value on audio and its branding capabilities.” Orlena Yeung, Xbox Global Brand Marketing Manager explains, “As we evolved the Xbox brand, we firmly had in mind to create a multi-sensory interaction with the consumer. Working with Audiobrain, we successfully gave the brand a new dimension through audio that we didn’t have previously.
Audiobrain’s long-term relationship with NBC Olympics includesSonic Branding Strategy, Original Composition, Music licensing, supervision and onsite creative direction for 4 Olympics Broadcasts for NBC. Audiobrain was NBC’s On-Site Music Supervisors for the Beijing Olympics 2008, and will return in this role for the Vancouver Olympics.
Here is an excerpt from Audiobrain’s original composition for “The Great Race” NBC’s Torino Olympics Centerpiece film. The 30-minute documentary highlighted the upset by the Italian 4×10km relay team over the heavily favored Norwegians team, and was narrated by Sam Waterston.
As part of a long-term sonic branding initiative, “Processional Anthem-The Official MLS Theme”, was composed specifically for Major League Soccer by Audiobrain and recorded with an 80 piece orchestra in Prague in 2007. The anthem, which has been played at every game since its debut at the start of the season to overwhelming critical acclaim.
The historic branded theme song is the cornerstone of a long-term sound branding initiative, which in addition to the athlete’s procession, consists of a television sound signature, rock versions, promos and future initiatives for other MLS touchpoints.
“We wanted something that would stand the test of time, become iconic, with an emotional core and heartfelt sincerity, in the tradition of other great anthems throughout the world. But this is an American League, so we wanted to add elements that were in an American style, like our string homage to Aaron Copland at the end, or the counter melody in the middle with the trumpet. In the end, everyone was extremely happy and excited, and the feedback from the fans has been amazing”.
“Audiobrain was the prefect partner for the creation of the MLS Theme Song. Their expertise on big events such as the Olympic Games plus their understanding of branding through music has been evident throughout the creative process”, says MLS Executive Producer Michael Cohen.
“We’re a young and growing league and, as we described to Audiobrain, we wanted to capture the feel of a young league looking out over a horizon of unlimited possibilities,” Deputy Commissioner Gazidis said. “I think this piece of music superbly captures the emotion we wanted.”
Audiobrain’s long-term sound branding initiative for MLS, which in addition to the Official MLS Theme Song and athlete’s procession, consists of a television sound signature, rock versions, promos, ringtones, iTunes and many other touchpoints. Hear them all here, as well as a behind the scenes look at the Prague recording session.
Audiobrain created the original score for this feature that aired during the Colts/ Giants game, highlighting the relationship between the team’s quarterbacks/ brothers Peyton and Eli Manning.
Audiobrain is involved in a sonic branding initiative for Design Management Institute (DMI), an esteemed organization that we have been longtime members and sponsors of. In 2008 we created branded music for the conference environments. In 2009, DMI rolled out its new visual identity and we created a sound logo and scored the brand video DMI : You Are Connected.
Audiobrain was chosen to score the signature film for the The National Track and Field Hall of Fame on the sport which now resides permanently in the Museum’s Theatre. Additionally, the film was shown at Madison Square Garden during the Millrose Games, Track and Field’s most prominent indoor competition.
Audiobrain recently completed a sound branding initiative for Virgin Mobile U.S.A. which included their sound branding strategy, logo, ringtones and power up/ power down signatures for their new phones. The branded sounds will be included all Virgin Mobile USA products. Here is an example of the sound logo.
Audiobrain has developed a long-term sonic branding strategy, sound logo, customized radio stations for retail environments, and hand crafted door slides that play the sound logo. Hear VP of Marketing Jim Craig discuss the ongoing sonic branding initiatives.
Audiobrain's unique expertise in sonic branding, strategic planning, original composition by our six award-winning composers, sound design, editing, mastering, music licensing, coding, and high end implementation is unparalleled in our industry.