“Because it’s very difficult to be different and distinctive and you kind of need both of them in this modern advertising world because everything’s so fragmented. Um, people are not just sitting down at the TV at a certain time or listening to the radio together. You know, it’s a much more solo experience than it was when we were growing up. And I think lots of people aren’t seeing the same stuff or hearing the same stuff. And so therefore it’s very difficult for brands to make an impact.” -- Josh Butt This week’s episode is the second half of my conversation with award-winning content creator, sonic branding expert, and Ampel co-founder and Chief Production Officer, Josh Butt as we talk about the shifting podcast marketing landscape, the rise of audio AI and its impact on the industry, and which famous sonic logo still triggers a Pavlovian cue in Josh’s brain even decades later.As always, if you have questions for my guest, you’re welcome to reach out through the links in the show notes. If you have questions for me, visit audiobrandingpodcast.com where you’ll find a lot of ways to get in touch. You can also join regular Clubhouse chats in The Power of Sound House every Wednesday (check the schedule for times). Plus, subscribing to the newsletter will let you know when the new podcasts are available, when new audio rooms are scheduled and what they'll be about, and it'll give you access to a resource called The Studio with lots of interesting sound-related mp3s, videos, educational pdfs, and exclusive discounts from previous guests.If you’re getting some value from listening, the best ways to show your support are to share this podcast with a friend and leave an honest review. Both those things really help – and I’d love to feature your review on future podcasts. You can leave one either in written or in voice format from the podcast’s main page. I would so appreciate that. (0:00:01) - The Importance of Sound in MarketingThe second half of our discussion starts with some of the most famous sonic brands of the decade, some of which have reinvented themselves while others found a tried-and-true sound. “They spent a lot of money and time and efforts,” he says about HBO’s distinctive melody, “to figure out if they should change it and the answer was no, and bravo, because, they didn’t need to change it.” We talk about the increasingly crowded podcast market, with advertising expected to double within the next two years. “Everyone wants a podcast,” Josh says. “Everyone wants an ad, Everyone wants a sound.” (0:20:29) - Evolution of Sonic BrandsWe also discuss the breakthrough in AI over the past year, particularly in sound and music, and what it means for both brands and content creators. “Well, we’re gonna hear a lot about AI voices and AI music,” he says, “and I think you know we should jump on that.” Josh also tells us about the dangers AI music might pose, from creator livelihoods to a homogeneous sound that makes it more difficult to stand out. “They’ve got a big problem,” he explains, “because they’re gonna end up being very bland... it won’t be distinctive, it won’t be memorable, it won’t be hummable, it won’t be singable.” (0:23:56) - Branding and Advertising in Media LandscapeWe also talk about the power of sound to shape lifelong impressions and Pavlovian habits, whether it’s Intel’s unforgettable four-note logo or, in Josh’s case, EA Sports’ classic “It’s in the Game” motto. “You know it’s a game,” he says, “but the Pavlovian response that exists... it...