Why Sound Matters in Modern Advertising: A Conversation with Ted “Theo” Rosnick – Part 2
“If it’s stock music, unless you’re paying, like, some libraries have exclusivity, but most of them don’t. So that’s what I always say to clients, like stock music. You might hear that Joe’s ice cream shop also has the same music that you have. And you’re Chrysler – I keep saying Chrysler, but whatever, a big brand. A good example of an audio branding that we did was the Rogers. That was huge, and when we first did that, it was for a very close friend of mine, Philippe Garneau, and Mark’s brother, the astronaut, and he came to me, and he had the Rogers account. He said, ‘We want a mnemonic on the end of the spot, but we’re only going to use it for three commercials.’ And so they lost the business, and Rogers loved that mnemonic.” – Ted “Theo” Rosnick
This episode, “Why Sound Matters in Modern Advertising” is the second half of my conversation with music and audio director/producer Ted Rosnick, as we discuss the use of AI, especially digital voice clones, in advertising, the impact of the SAG-AFTRA strike, and the unwritten rule voice artists follow when it comes to branding.
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(0:00:00) – Evolution of Music Production and AI
The second half of our conversation starts with Ted’s perspective on advertising in the 21st century, and one early trend that marked a turning point. “One of the main things I remember changing a lot was when Napster came along,” he recalls. “People could download a hundred songs in an hour, and I noticed it was, all of a sudden, we were expected to do seven or eight demos, because that’s what they were used to, like, pulling music down all night long and hearing their stuff.” We talk about digital studios and sound design, and how AI voice cloning has transformed the industry, including a recent commercial campaign that featured a synthetic likeness of a human actor. “We asked his permission,” Ted tells us, “and so we AI’d his voice, and it worked out really well. Nobody would know. I know the difference because I just know, but you wouldn’t know the difference.”
(0:10:42) – The Impact of AI on Creativity
Ted tells us about his experience with AI-assisted brainstorming and its limitations as a content writer. “I’ve written them and then thrown them into ChatGTP,” he explains, “and then said, ‘Can you just make it a little warmer?’ But the truth of the matter is that I’ve always gone back to my own, because I don’t think it’s as warm as or as good as what’s in here, you know.” We discuss what sets human and AI creativity apart, and how what makes a work human often comes down to the very things AI would try to fix. “A lot of it is that human subtleties are mistakes,” he tells us. “When you start tearing it down for the mix, you hear all sorts of mistakes. They’re not glaring mistakes that are going to ruin it, but they’re not perfect, and that’s what makes it human. And that’s what makes it great.”
(0:23:10) – The World of Audio Branding
Our conversation closes with some of Ted’s most memorable ad campaigns, including one sonic brand that took off beyond anyone’s expectations. “If they were doing a commercial radio commercial, you’d hear that at the end of them,” he says. “When you opened your phone, if you’re with Rogers, you’d hear it. We got paid eighteen thousand dollars for that, and then all of a sudden we were hearing it everywhere.” He shares his latest work, such as 2024’s award-winning film Drive Back Home, along with a surprising admission. “Honestly, this is the first time I’ve been on a podcast,” Ted reveals. “I’ve been interviewed on TV many times and on the radio, but I’ve never done a podcast.”
Episode Summary
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How Napster and digital technology changed both the music industry and audio marketing.
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The role of AI and voice clones in marketing and its impact on creatives.
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Ted’s approach to helping clients and companies forge a unique sonic identity.
Connect with the Guest
Follow Ted “Theo” Rosnick on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theorosnick/
Subscribe to Ted “Theo” Rosnick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theodorerosnick/
Follow Ted “Theo” Rosnick on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theo-theodore-ted-j-rosnick-66a20616/
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This interview episode was very skillfully made to sound beautiful by the talented Humberto Franco.
** Transcript available upon request
