Case Study:
Tostitos

the big picture

Tostitos stands for togetherness. Their fans are social instigators, constantly looking for new opportunities to share social occasions with friends, family and colleagues. They want to “get to the good stuff” fast. They needed a sonic identity that could bring people together, reaching every consumer on an emotional level, while still capturing the fun of their unique range of products.

During the development phase, one idea stood out: an iconic and ownable sound composed entirely with Tostitos’ chips and dips. With the help of a drumstick and a few jars of salsa, Made Music Studio and Tostitos landed on a sonic identity that stands out in a crowded snack category, and offers a sense of fun and togetherness for every consumer.

the challenge

With the consumer shift towards audio-first platforms, Frito-Lay understood that developing a sonic element to their brand identities would be key to future success. After working with Made Music Studio to create sonic branding for Doritos, Frito-Lay expanded the partnership to include more of their trademark brands, including Tostitos.

Although also a chip brand, Tostitos had a unique standing in the snack aisle, and wanted a sound that reflected their full range of products – dips as well as chips. Their new sonic identity needed to be timeless, social, fun, but most importantly: more than a crunch.

the approach

The work started with a clear strategy – a deep understanding of Tostitos consumers, competitors, aspirations and what makes the brand unique. Their fans are social instigators, an audience who gathers around a bowl of chips and salsa at a sports game, party or hangout with friends. We asked: what if a group of friends came together and made the sonic identity themselves? All they’d need would be chips, salsa, and a little imagination.

As luck would have it (!) the Tostitos products themselves are actually…musical. From their delicious crunch, to the rustle of a bag of chips (which sound a lot like cheerleading pom-poms), to the iconic pop of their salsa jars opening. And then we uncovered something truly unique – Tostitos salsa jars are in tune! The delightful discovery opened a whole new world of musical pathways. We combined the sounds of the products to create a sonic logo that sounds the way only Tostitos could.

Fast, musical and memorable, the resulting sonic logo is a bite-sized earworm clocking in at just 1.5 seconds. The structure and design make it incredibly impactful and flexible for every “sound on” environment.

the results

Tostitos launched their first-ever sonic identity in January 2022 alongside a new visual refresh. It plays an essential role in every piece of sound-on marketing content from TikTok to TV, including a Cinco de Mayo campaign featuring Danny Trejo & Sofia Reyes, and a spot co-written by and starring Dan Levy.

The new sonic identity is measurably proven by audio intelligence company Veritonic to increase Brand Appeal by 13%, Uniqueness by 18% and 70% of consumers considered it Fun. Plus, it is boosting Brand Recall to unprecedented levels — up 38% after less than a year in market!

awards

The Tostitos sonic identity created by Made Music Studio has earned several awards honors in the category of sonic branding, including:

• Transform Awards North America Best Use of Audio Branding
• Design Week Awards Sonic Identities

creative team

Amy Crawford – Executive Music Producer
Lucas Murray – Composer + Music Co-Producer
Tevin Prince – Music Co-Producer
Stephanie Hunt – Group Account Director
Alex Coutts – SVP, Head of Experience
Dennis Wall – Mix Engineer
Joel Beckerman – Founder + Executive Creative Director