Music to the ears: the role of sonic branding in advertising

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

Marketers are taking note by using music and sound to reinforce a brand’s identity. Sonic branding involves designing an auditory equivalent of a graphic representation of a brand that embodies the brand’s essence, attributes and values. This research examines how the use of sonic logos in advertising can aid in inducing positive emotions in consumers in affect-rich decision contexts. Findings demonstrate that sonic logos have the ability to evoke positive emotions, stimulate engagement and enrich the brand experience, especially for those individuals high in emotion-based decision-making. Implications for how sonic branding can aid in enhancing marketing communications are discussed.