Mastercard unveils its Sonic Brand in Africa and other global markets
Mastercard has unveiled its debut sonic brand identity, a comprehensive sound architecture signifying the latest advancement for the brand.
Wherever consumers engage with Mastercard in Africa and across the globe be it physical, digital or voice environments the distinct and memorable Mastercard melody will provide simple, seamless familiarity. The news comes on the heels of the company’s recent transition to a symbol brand and is part of its continued brand transformation.
Sound adds a powerful new dimension to our brand identity and a critical component to how people recognise Mastercard today and in the future, said Raja Rajamannar, chief marketing and communications officer, Mastercard. We set out an ambitious goal to produce the Mastercard melody in a way that’s distinct and authentic, yet adaptable globally and across genres. It is important that our sonic brand not only reinforces our presence, but also resonates seamlessly around the world.
To ensure the Mastercard melody would resonate with people the world over, Mastercard tapped musicians, artists and agencies from across the globe.
The result, a distinct and memorable melody with adaptations across genres and cultures, making it locally relevant while maintaining a consistent global brand voice. In addition, the use of varying instruments and tempos help to deliver the Mastercard melody in several unique styles such as operatic, cinematic and playful as well as a number of regional interpretations.
With the introduction of the new visual identity in 2016 and our most recent evolution to a symbol brand, we are continually evolving to meet consumers ever-changing needs while maintaining the simple, secure and seamless experience people have come to expect from Mastercard. Sound is our next frontier for brand expression and a powerful way for us to create an emotional and culturally-relevant connection with consumers, said Beatrice Cornacchia, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Communications, Middle East and Africa, Mastercard.
The Mastercard melody is the foundation of the company’s sound architecture and will extend to many assets, from musical scores, sound logos and ringtones, to hold music and point-of-sale acceptance sounds.
With voice shopping set to hit $40 billion by 2022, audio identities not only connect brands with consumers on a new dimension, they are tools enabling consumers to shop, live, and pay in an increasingly digital and mobile world.
