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The Cost of Sonic Branding in Saudi Arabia
As sonic branding adoption increases across Saudi Arabia, one of the most common questions brands ask is simple: how much does it cost? The answer depends on scope, strategy, and long-term ambition.
May 30, 2025
Sonic Branding in Saudi Arabia and the GCC | Featured in Campaign Middle East
The Growth of Sonic Branding Across Saudi Arabia and the GCC
Sonic branding is rapidly becoming a strategic priority for brands across Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC. As markets modernize and competition intensifies, companies are investing in audio identity systems that reflect cultural authenticity while supporting digital transformation.
From finance and government to FMCG and media, sound is now a core component of brand differentiation in the Gulf region.
Industries Leading Sonic Branding in the GCC
Finance and Banking
Banks across Saudi Arabia and the Gulf are integrating sonic identity into digital platforms, campaigns, and customer experience touchpoints to reinforce trust and consistency.
Government and Public Sector
Entities aligned with Vision 2030 are increasingly adopting sound as part of national and institutional branding systems.
Retail and FMCG
Retail brands are using sonic branding in stores, advertising, and seasonal campaigns to strengthen recall.
Media and Entertainment
Broadcast and digital platforms rely heavily on audio identity to build familiarity and recognition.
MusicGrid Featured in Campaign Middle East
We’re proud to be featured in Campaign Middle East, the region’s most trusted source for marketing and branding insights.
A Website Reflecting Regional Growth
The article covers the relaunch of our new website, designed to reflect MusicGrid’s evolution, our work across key sectors, and our expanding presence in Saudi Arabia and the GCC. From banks and government entities to media and FMCG brands, we’re helping the region’s most ambitious companies develop culturally rooted, globally competitive sonic identities.
“Saudi Arabia, UAE and the GCC are markets that are aggressively in motion. Also, they're deeply rooted in culture — and there's always a pull for brands to reflect themselves as deeply rooted in culture, but also fast-growing and digitally led.”– Sami El-Quqa, Founder & CEO, MusicGrid
Featured Work Across the GCC
The feature also showcases our recent sonic branding work for clients like Bank Albilad, Nickelodeon, Nada Dairy, and ZATCA — all examples of how sound can become a strategic brand asset in today’s fast-evolving Gulf market.
🎧 Read the full article on Campaign Middle East →
Frequently Asked Questions About Sonic Branding in the GCC
What is sonic branding in the GCC?
Sonic branding in the GCC refers to the strategic use of sound and music to express a brand’s identity across customer touchpoints. This includes sonic logos, brand anthems, campaign music, app sounds, in-store audio, and event experiences. In markets like Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, brands are increasingly using culturally informed sound design to create emotional connection, reinforce trust, and differentiate in competitive industries such as finance, retail, and government.
Why is sonic branding growing in Saudi Arabia?
Sonic branding is growing in Saudi Arabia due to rapid digital transformation, increased brand competition, and the influence of Vision 2030 initiatives. As more Saudi brands expand regionally and globally, they require consistent identity systems that extend beyond visuals. Sound plays a key role in building emotional recognition across advertising, mobile applications, social media, and national campaigns. The demand for culturally rooted yet modern brand identities has made audio branding a strategic investment rather than a creative add-on.
Which industries use audio branding in the Gulf?
Audio branding in the Gulf is widely adopted across finance and banking, government entities, retail and FMCG, telecommunications, media, and fintech platforms. Banks use sonic branding to reinforce trust across digital touchpoints. Government entities integrate sound into national campaigns and institutional identity systems. Retail brands use in-store music and campaign soundtracks to enhance customer experience. As competition increases across the region, more industries are recognizing the commercial value of sound.
How does sonic branding support regional expansion?
Sonic branding supports regional expansion by creating a consistent and scalable brand identity across multiple markets. As GCC brands expand from Saudi Arabia into the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and beyond, a unified audio identity helps maintain recognition while allowing cultural adaptations where needed. A strong sonic system ensures consistency across advertising, digital platforms, events, and physical environments, making it easier for brands to build familiarity and emotional continuity across borders.
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How to Choose a Sonic Branding Agency in Saudi Arabia
Choosing the right sonic branding agency in Saudi Arabia requires more than evaluating music samples. As the Saudi market becomes increasingly competitive, brands need structured audio identity systems that align with long-term growth and cultural positioning. Whether you are launching a national campaign, expanding regionally, or modernizing your brand identity, selecting the right partner will determine how effectively sound supports your strategy.
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Sonic Branding Agency in Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia is entering a new era of brand competition. As industries modernize and digital ecosystems expand, brands are investing in identity systems that extend beyond visuals. Sound has become a critical part of that evolution. A professional sonic branding agency in Saudi Arabia helps businesses develop distinctive audio identities that build recognition, emotional connection, and long-term brand consistency across all touchpoints.
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20 Ramadan Audio Lessons from Saudi and GCC Campaigns (And How to Use Them in 2026)
Ramadan is still the most important month on the media calendar in Saudi Arabia and across the Gulf. In KSA alone, brands increase their advertising spend by an estimated 30–40% during the month, with TV and digital usage peaking between iftar and suhoor. Across the wider GCC, consumers report spending more time on video, social, and commerce platforms during Ramadan than at any other time of year.
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Sonic Branding in Saudi Arabia: How Sound Is Shaping Modern Saudi Brands
Saudi Arabia is experiencing one of the most ambitious brand transformations in the world. As industries evolve and new national champions emerge, brands are being challenged to communicate trust, progress, and scale across every touchpoint. Visual identity alone is no longer enough. Sonic branding has become a powerful tool for shaping how brands in Saudi Arabia are recognized, remembered, and felt. From government entities and giga-projects to banks, fintech platforms, and consumer brands, sound is now treated as a strategic layer of brand identity rather than a finishing touch.
The Forgotten UX: Why Sound Design Is the Missing Link in Digital Products
When we talk about user experience (UX), most conversations focus on what users see: layout, color, typography, motion, and interaction design. Yet one of the most powerful UX tools remains consistently overlooked: sound.Sound design is not decorative. It is functional, psychological, and measurable. When implemented strategically, it improves usability, increases trust, reduces errors, and strengthens brand perception. When ignored, it creates friction, even in visually polished products. By Roudny Nahed, Partnership Manager at MusicGrid. Originally Featured in Campaign Middle East.
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Sound + Tech: How AI is Changing Music Production for Brands (And Why Human Composers Still Matter)
Last month, a major GCC retail brand asked us to compare AI-generated music against a custom composition for their new campaign. The AI version took 30 seconds to generate. The human version took three weeks. The brand picked the human composition without hesitation.
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How GCC Brands Can Measure the Real Impact of Sonic Branding (Beyond Likes and Views)
Your CMO signs off on sonic branding. The sound launches. It plays across apps, ads, call centers, and websites. Then someone in the boardroom asks the question everyone's been thinking: "What did it actually do?" That's where most sonic branding conversations break down.
Campaign Middle East | Why We Remember a Tune Before a Tagline
Ever found yourself humming a tune from an ad you saw years ago but struggling to remember the words that came with it? You are not alone. Our brains are wired to remember melodies more easily than language, and there is a clear scientific reason why we often recall a tune long before a tagline.
The Year Ahead | MusicGrid’s Vision for 2026
As we move into 2026, the role of sound in branding has never been more important. What was once considered a supporting detail has become a central part of how brands communicate, differentiate, and build emotional connection. Sound carries identity, memory, and meaning. It shapes how people feel before they even see a logo.
The Sound of 2025 | How MusicGrid Shaped the Year in Sonic Branding
2025 was a defining year for sound. From banks and government institutions to entertainment platforms and national brands, MusicGrid helped more than 360 brands discover how strategic sound can strengthen identity, emotion, and connection.
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Shake Shack MENA | The Sound of Flavor
Not every sonic branding project begins with a full identity system. Sometimes, a single campaign can be sonified. For Shake Shack MENA, MusicGrid collaborated with BPG Group to develop the sound direction for the regional launch of the Falafel Shack campaign. The goal was to translate the brand’s personality into a set of adaptable music cues that matched the tone of the creative concept and connected with regional audiences.
Little Heroes | Shahid Original Series Soundtrack by MusicGrid
Music has the power to bring characters to life, shape emotion, and guide storytelling. For the Shahid Original animated series Little Heroes, MusicGrid was commissioned to compose the full original soundtrack and handle all sound design across 22 episodes.
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Sonic Branding in Transportation | Northwest Bus Company Case Study
Transportation relies on rhythm, timing, and precision. These qualities can be expressed powerfully through sound. From the chime of an arrival announcement to the tone of a mobile booking confirmation, audio shapes how passengers feel trust, comfort, and direction.
The Sound of Modernization | GOSI Sonic Revamp Case Study
The General Organization for Social Insurance (GOSI) is one of Saudi Arabia’s leading government entities, responsible for social insurance services that impact millions across the Kingdom. MusicGrid was commissioned to revamp GOSI’s existing sonic identity while preserving its core musical DNA. The objective was to refresh the sound for new digital and experiential touchpoints, ensuring it remains both familiar and forward looking.
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The Sound of Healing | Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare Case Study
Sonic branding in healthcare requires sensitivity and precision. Brands in this space must communicate warmth, care, and trust while maintaining authority and professionalism. For Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare (JHAH), a joint venture between Johns Hopkins Medicine and Aramco, sound became a way to express both compassion and excellence. The challenge was to design a sonic identity that feels human, reassuring, and world class.
Saudi Arabia’s Sound Moment: Why Brands Are Investing in Audio Identity
Across Saudi Arabia, something is changing in how brands communicate. Vision 2030 has brought a wave of modernization and creativity, and now, sound is becoming just as important as visuals. In this landscape, audio identity is no longer optional. It is how brands express their values, create emotional impact, and build lasting recognition across digital, physical, and live environments.
How Audio Logos Build Instant Brand Recognition
When someone hears three notes and instantly names a brand, that’s sonic branding working at its best. Audio logos are short, distinctive sounds that act as your brand’s auditory signature. Just like a visual logo, they make your brand recognizable across channels, campaigns, and formats. But unlike a visual, audio hits emotion and memory much faster.
Sonic Branding Strategy 2026: What Your Brand Needs to Compete
2026 is shaping up to be the year MENA brands get serious about sound. From Saudi Arabia’s public sector to UAE retail giants, audio is no longer an afterthought. It’s a core branding tool. But while the conversation around sonic branding has grown, many brands are still unsure what a real strategy looks like.Not a jingle. Not just a catchy ad track.
Modern Middle Eastern Music in Branding: Creating Cultural Impact Through Sound
Across the Gulf, brand leaders are embracing music as more than mood. They’re using it to build cultural credibility. And modern Middle Eastern music is at the heart of that shift. It’s no longer about clichés or background ambiance. The oud in a launch film. The subtle maqam scale in a TV ad. The rhythmic swing of a Khaleeji beat in a fintech product video. These are intentional cues. And they matter.
The Human Touch: Why Original Music Still Matters in an AI World
In a time when AI tools can generate music in seconds, it’s tempting to think brands no longer need original composition. But while speed and automation are appealing, they rarely deliver what audiences actually respond to: emotion, cultural nuance, and brand distinction. For companies across the GCC, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, sound is not just a filler. It’s a strategic branding tool. And authenticity matters more now than ever.
Immersive Music Experiences: How Business Playlists Influence Customer Behavior
What your customer hears when they walk into your space affects how long they stay, what they feel, and how much they spend. Music is not background noise. It is a key business asset. In the Gulf, especially in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, consumer expectations around experience are higher than ever. From premium coffee shops in Riyadh to wellness lounges in Dubai, businesses are realizing that immersive sound design is just as critical as lighting or scent.
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Middle Eastern Sound, Modern Brands: How Culture Shapes Audio Branding
In a crowded digital world, audio branding is no longer a nice-to-have. It's a strategic asset.For brands operating in the GCC and wider MENA region, the sound of your brand matters just as much as your visual identity. But how do you create a sonic branding system that speaks to modern audiences while respecting cultural roots?
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What Athar 2025 Revealed About Saudi Creativity
Athar Festival 2025 highlighted just how far Saudi Arabia’s creative industry has evolved. The event showcased the Kingdom’s growing influence within the regional and global creative landscape, reinforcing Riyadh’s position as a hub for innovation and collaboration.
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The Human Touch in Sonic Branding: Why Creativity Still Matters in the Age of AI
AI tools are faster than ever. They can compose melodies, generate soundtracks, and mimic human emotion in seconds. But while AI might be helpful in prototyping or ideating, the true impact of brand music still comes from something AI cannot replicate: the human touch.
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Immersive Music Experiences: How Business Playlists Influence Customer Behavior
In the race to capture customer attention, brands in RETAIL, HOSPITALITY, and F&B are turning to immersive music. It is no longer just background sound. It is a strategic tool that shapes mood, increases dwell time, and drives revenue.
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Boursa Kuwait: How MusicGrid Crafted a Sonic Identity for a National Institution
At MusicGrid, we believe a brand should not just be seen. It should be heard. When we partnered with Boursa Kuwait, the goal was clear. Create a sonic identity that reflects their position as a national institution, while still feeling modern, premium, and emotionally resonant.
Sonic Branding for Finance: Why Sound Matters More Than Ever
Finance is one of the most sound-heavy industries in the world. Every day, customers interact with banks and fintech platforms through audio. It could be a payment confirmation inside an app, a hotline menu greeting, an in-branch experience, or a short animation in a campaign. These moments may seem small and functional, but together they shape the full emotional journey.
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Original Music Composition: Your Brand's Sonic Strategy
For large brands operating across the UAE and GCC, music holds real weight. It’s the first impression on a pre-roll ad, the emotional pivot in a brand film, and the lasting imprint after an app interaction. When that sound is built from scratch to match your voice, values, and audience? It doesn’t just fill space. It drives recognition, recall, and trust.
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Meet Dominique Tarabay: Helping Brands Find Their Voice Through Sound
At MusicGrid, every sonic branding project begins with a conversation. Before a single note is composed, we sit with the brand. We explore how it communicates, how it wants to be remembered, and where sound might be missing or misaligned. This early discovery process is led by our brand consultants. And one of the key people behind that work is Dominique Tarabay.
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The Sound of Success: Why Fortune 500 Companies Are Investing Billions in Sonic Branding
In an increasingly crowded marketplace where visual saturation has reached its peak, the world's most successful enterprises are turning to a powerful yet underutilized brand asset: sound. This comprehensive analysis reveals how Fortune 500 companies are leveraging sonic branding to achieve remarkable business outcomes, with some reporting increases of up to 300% in engagement, a 96% improvement in brand recall, and a 77% growth in consumer trust.
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The Science of Sonic Branding: How Sound Shapes Consumer Memory and Business Success
Your customers forget 96% of brand messages within 24 hours. But they remember sounds for weeks. This stark reality exposes a critical disconnect in modern marketing. While brands invest billions in visual campaigns, such as logos, colors, and imagery, the most memorable brand experiences often occur through sound.
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How Music Production Builds Brand Identity Across Saudi and the Gulf
In Saudi Arabia and across the GCC, brands are no longer just seen. They are heard. From fintech apps to national tourism campaigns, professional music production for brand identity is transforming the way Gulf audiences connect with companies. As the region accelerates toward Vision 2030 and invests in creative economies, music has become a strategic tool for expressing values, building trust, and delivering memorable brand moments. The sound of a brand is now part of its identity system.
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Ad Music That Converts: How Custom Sound Drives Better Campaign Results
In a digital world overflowing with visual content, sound is often the most overlooked part of a campaign. But the right music does more than just fill space. It can boost recall, increase conversions, and elevate brand performance across every platform. This is where ad music becomes a strategy, not just a soundtrack.
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The Anatomy of a Sonic Logo: How 3 Notes Can Build a Brand
A sonic logo might only last a few seconds, but when done right, it stays in the memory for years. Just like a visual logo, it becomes a shorthand for everything your brand stands for. From Netflix’s iconic "ta-dum" to Intel’s timeless chime, the most effective sonic logos use just a few notes to drive massive recall.But how exactly do you create one that works? Let’s break down what makes a strong sonic logo and how we approach it at MusicGrid.
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Why More GCC Brands Are Investing in Sound Strategy and Brand Recall
Across the Gulf region, from Saudi Arabia to the UAE and beyond, brands are moving fast. Visual storytelling has matured. Design systems are more refined. But in the last two years, one trend has taken off: sonic branding.More GCC brands are developing long-term sound strategies to support brand recall, build consistency across platforms, and connect emotionally with audiences. This shift is not just about adding a sonic logo. It is about creating a complete sound identity that evolves with the brand and fits every touchpoint.
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Sonic Logo vs Sonic DNA: Building a Sound System That Actually Works
Most people think sonic branding starts and ends with a catchy sound at the end of an ad. But that’s like thinking a brand’s visual identity is just its logo. The truth is, a strong brand sound needs more than a logo. It needs structure, flexibility, and long-term strategy.That’s where the concept of sonic DNA comes in.
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Why Sonic Identity Matters for Government and Public Sector Brands in the Gulf
In the Gulf, government and public sector brands play a central role in shaping national identity. From digital platforms and services to tourism and culture, the way these institutions show up matters. And as branding continues to evolve, one element is finally getting the attention it deserves: sound.
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Sonic Branding in Saudi Arabia: National Day Campaigns and Brand Strategy
Saudi National Day has become a creative moment for brands to show pride, connect emotionally, and stand out in a competitive landscape. Over the past few years, we’ve seen a shift in how brands approach this moment. It's no longer just about visuals and slogans. More brands are now turning to sonic branding to add depth and resonance to their campaigns.Music plays a unique role in how people experience brand moments. And during emotionally charged national celebrations, it can be a powerful tool for creating memory, identity, and belonging.
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How to Create a Sonic Logo That Sticks: Strategy, Sound, and Brand Memory
A sonic logo is not just a sound. It is a brand asset. One that captures attention in seconds and builds memory over time. The same way you recognize a visual logo instantly, a well-crafted audio logo does the same job using music.At MusicGrid, we build sonic identities that make brands instantly recognizable and emotionally familiar. Whether it is a startup in fintech or a legacy brand in retail, the process is always strategic, creative, and grounded in brand DNA.
Meet Sami El-Quqa: The Story Behind MusicGrid
Seven years ago, Sami El-Quqa launched MusicGrid as a music licensing platform for the MENA and GCC region. The idea was focused. Build a regional music library that local brands and agencies could actually use. The company collected more than forty thousand tracks from international musicians and composers. It was efficient, curated, and easy to scale.But at the bottom of the website, there was a small note offering custom music on request.That single line changed everything.
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How Saudi Brands Are Using Sonic Branding to Drive Recognition and Loyalty
In today's market, Saudi brands are expected to do more than just stand out visually. They must create full sensory identities that customers recognize and connect with. Sound has become a crucial part of that experience. Through strategic sonic branding, companies across the Kingdom are building emotional connections, improving recall, and creating consistent experiences across every customer touchpoint.
How Real Estate Brands Use Music to Elevate Buyer Experience
Sound is one of the most powerful emotional tools in real estate branding, yet it is often the most underused. While visuals, logos, and materials are carefully selected to reflect a development’s character, sound is rarely given the same attention. This is changing fast. Leading real estate brands are now using custom brand sound design services to create stronger connections with buyers and differentiate their spaces in a crowded market.
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Sonic Branding in Finance: How Banks and Fintechs Use Sound to Build Trust
In today's digital-first economy, financial brands are competing not just on products and services, but on trust and emotional resonance. This is where sonic branding steps in as a powerful differentiator. From mobile payments to national banking institutions, the use of sound in finance is evolving fast. Brands across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and beyond are investing in custom audio identities to reinforce security, clarity, and memorability across every customer touchpoint.
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Music Playlists for Retail and Hospitality: How Immersive Sound Drives Customer Experience
In the Gulf’s fast-evolving retail and hospitality landscape, sound is no longer an afterthought. The right music can guide behavior, extend dwell time, and influence how customers feel about your brand. That is why businesses across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the wider region are turning to curated, brand-aligned music playlists as part of their customer experience strategy.
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Monsha’at’s Sonic Branding by MusicGrid Strengthens Engagement with Saudi Entrepreneurs
Monsha’at, Saudi Arabia’s Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority, plays a leading role in supporting entrepreneurs and accelerating national growth. As part of its broader communication strategy, Monsha’at partnered with MusicGrid to develop a distinctive sonic identity that reflects its values, mission, and national relevance.
How To Create a Custom Sonic Logo That Drives Brand Recognition
In a world of fleeting attention spans and digital overload, a custom sonic logo can do what a visual one often cannot: create instant emotional recall. For brands looking to build stronger connections, audio identity is no longer optional. It's essentia.
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Building Brand Connections in MENA through Regional Music
Across the Middle East and GCC, brands are beginning to think more intentionally about how they sound. It is no longer just about having a nice track in the background. Sound is becoming part of the brand system. Something that shapes identity, builds emotion, and signals culture.From Ramadan campaigns to full-scale rebrands, music is moving from a supporting role to a strategic one.
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Bank Albilad Introduces Sonic Branding with MusicGrid: A New Era of Sound in Saudi Banking
In today's digital landscape, sound plays a pivotal role in creating emotional connections with customers. Sonic branding involves the use of distinctive sounds and musical elements to enhance brand recall and loyalty. While global brands like Mastercard and HSBC have successfully leveraged sonic branding, Bank Albilad stands out as a pioneer in the Saudi banking industry to embrace this approach.
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Gandour’s Audio Evolution: How MusicGrid Created a Timeless Sound for an Iconic Brand
Gandour, one of the MENA region’s most beloved food brands, has taken a bold step into the future by embracing sonic branding — elevating its already iconic identity through sound. In collaboration with MusicGrid, Gandour has developed a rich, emotionally resonant sonic identity that honors its legacy while speaking to a new generation of consumers.
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