Case Study
USA TODAY Audio Branding
USA TODAY Audio Branding
Category
Audio Logo, Branded Music, Voice Experience, Experiential
Opportunity
We developed an award-winning holistic audio identity designed to scale with USA TODAY’s modern evolution.
The Story
Amidst a digital transformation, USA TODAY engaged Audio UX® to create an instantly recognizable sound to reinforce the brand identity and connect future experiences.
Developing a Concept
What does a brand representing the vast diversity of the United States sound like?We conceived an audio identity made of a mosaic of sound sources. Eclectic instruments swarm together, representing USA TODAY’s diverse fabric of perspectives, experiences, and voices. Each instrument resonates at its own pace, depicting different points of view and participating in active conversation.
The Audio Logo
As the primary expression of the USA TODAY audio identity, the Audio Logo is a poignant and concise auditory signature.A sound-designed “Point” represents the blue circle in the USA TODAY logo as an analog to the visual identity.Recordings of an American Flag waving create a unique texture functioning as an homage to the core brand values.
USA TODAY Audio Logo
USA TODAY Fingerprint
Built for Scalability
To facilitate their digital transformation, we designed the USA TODAY audio identity to be easily reformed and integrated into any future touchpoint.Our strategy was to build a decentralized identity made of a modular system of audio components.
American Flag
Pulse Point
U-S-A Motif
Piano Swarms
A Branded Music Library
Starting with an audible brand manifesto, we developed a series of long-form musical executions that holistically represent the USA TODAY brand identity to be used by content teams across the organization.
Brand Manifesto
Inspirational & Inclusive Theme
Neutral Theme
Serious Theme
Podcasts, Voice & Augmented Reality
We collaborated with innovation teams at USA TODAY to optimize the audio identity for leading digital touchpoints.
"5 Things" Podcast Intro
Alexa Flash Briefing
Award Winning Audio Branding
Audio UX® placed Platinum for the MarCom Awards Best Use of Audio Branding and Silver for Transform Awards North America for the USA TODAY holistic audio identity.
Sonify Your Story
