The sonic identity of the Banco de España, created by The Sonic You, wins Gold in Sensory Branding at the AEBRAND Awards 2026
AEBRAND Awards recognize excellence in branding across Spain and Latin America
The awards, organized by the Spanish Branding Association (Asociación Española de Branding), honor excellence and best branding practices across Spain and Latin America. The sensory category distinguishes projects that create immersive, multisensory brand experiences by integrating elements such as sound, scent, or touch to forge emotional connections with people and achieve a unique identity.
The sonic identity of the Banco de España, directed and created by The Sonic You, is built on a simple, warm instrumentation in which guitar and piano converse with subtle electronic elements. The composition — inspired by an "understated Spanishness" and by the first three notes of the national anthem — balances tradition and innovation, translating the institution's values (stability, independence, and closeness) into a recognizable, emotive musical language. The audio logo was chosen through a participatory process by 3,400 bank employees in the "BDE Fest 2025" survey, reinforcing the project's sense of belonging and internal legitimacy.
The AEBRAND Awards recognize projects that contribute to the growth and competitiveness of brands, and with this distinction they acknowledge the Banco de España as the first European central bank to adopt a sonic identity. The jury highlighted the strategic coherence of the sound system and its ability to create a unique sensory experience that humanizes institutional communication.
About the AEBRAND Awards
The Spanish Branding Association presents these awards to recognize projects that champion branding as a strategic asset and that drive the competitiveness and prestige of brands. The sensory branding category honors identities that generate memorable experiences through sound, olfactory, or tactile stimuli.
The Banco de España's own announcement can be read here: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7434949574798086144/