Merging Sound and Trust: Department of Noise Bags International Sound Award for ZKB Audio Branding

Merging Sound and Trust: Department of Noise Bags International Sound Award for ZKB Audio Branding

Department of Noise: Striking Gold at the International Sound Awards

Department of Noise, a renowned audio branding agency based in Zurich, has made waves at the esteemed International Sound Awards 2023 held in Hamburg. The coveted award was given for the agency’s exemplary work for the Zurich Cantonal Bank (ZKB). Their mission was to seamlessly blend technology and trust, which are the primary drivers in ZKB’s brand context.

The newly created ZKB sound, which has been operational since the summer of 2022, is utilized across various touchpoints. It plays a significant role daily in amalgamating the allure of a dynamic banking innovator with the trust associated with the state bank.

Winning the “Better Sound” Award

The jury of the International Sound Awards was swayed both by the conceptual considerations and their execution for the ZKB project. Consequently, “The Sound of ZKB” was honored with a “Better Sound” accolade in the Audio Branding category.

Meeting Challenges Head-On

The process of creating an audio branding system that is flexible enough to cater to a diverse target group and multifaceted communication measures was one of the primary challenges faced by the team. Florian Goetze, Director Strategy & Creation at Department of Noise, shared this insight.

PhiLipp Schweidler, also Director Strategy & Creation at Department of Noise, highlighted the importance of empirical data collected during the development phase using their survey tool ‘MeloMetric’. This data was instrumental in refining both the idea and the design.

A Glimpse into the International Sound Awards

The International Sound Awards are a prestigious annual event that celebrates intelligent, innovative, and useful projects in nine categories related to audio communication. This recognition is a testament to the exceptional quality of work and innovation brought forward by the winners.

The Team Behind the Success

The successful project was the result of a collaborative effort from numerous key personnel. This included Daniel Locher (Senior Brand Manager at ZKB), Dominik Streich (Creative Director at ZKB), Simon Baumann (Multimedia Producer at ZKB), Robert Börsting (Design Director at KMS TEAM), Florian Goetze, PhiLipp Schweidler (Strategy & Creative Direction at Department of Noise), Michael Stuber (Strategy at Department of Noise), and Yves Gerber (Creative Producer at Department of Noise).

Conclusion

This recognition by the International Sound Awards not only validates the innovative and high-quality work of Department of Noise but also sets a high bar for future audio branding projects. The award-winning work for ZKB is a shining example of how sound can be effectively used to enhance brand perception and value.