HAVAS HITS A HIGH NOTE: DAMIEN ESCOBAR NAMED "ART OF SOUND" CEO IN BOLD MUSIC MOVE

Havas looks to elevate the business of sound through–Art of Sound–a first-of-its-kind sonic marketing agency transforming brand storytelling.

NEW YORK, May 28, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Havas proudly introduces Art of Sound (AOS), a sonic marketing agency redefining brand storytelling through the emotional power of sound. AOS reinforces the network's creative vision and strengthens its position as an industry disruptor. Rooted in the belief that sound is the most emotional and impactful way to connect with audiences, AOS partners with Havas brands and agencies to build distinctive sonic identities, drive cultural relevance, and resonate across generations.

As an extension of Havas' integrated approach, AOS merges marketing innovation with deep expertise in sonic branding, audio production, and strategic sonic storytelling. The agency helps brands navigate an evolving and oversaturated media landscape by creating meaningful auditory experiences across multiple platforms — enabling them to break through the noise and leave a lasting impression.

AOS is already serving as the sonic agency of record (AOR) for several brands — an innovative model that brings strategy and consistency to how sound is used across the entire brand ecosystem. From advertising and digital to retail and product, AOS ensures that sound is more than a creative layer — it's a core, unified expression of the brand itself.

"Sound has become essential to driving brand awareness and cultural relevance," said Damien Escobar, CEO of Art of Sound. "As an agency that has been on the forefront of creating cutting edge service offerings for our clients, we built AOS to meet that demand and enable us to bring our capabilities to more brands across the network and globally."

AOS has already made waves with its 'OG WHO? OGX' brand refresh campaign for OGX^®, the #1 hair repair brand – partnering with Demi Lovato. The campaign's sonic-led strategy generated 1.2 billion impressions, and an earned media value of $4.2M to date.

Escobar, Havas' first-ever Global Chief Music Officer, brings over two decades of experience as a two-time Emmy-winning musician and creative leader. Widely recognized as one of the most influential violinists of his generation, he's built a career at the intersection of music, culture, and brand strategy. Before founding AOS, he served as SVP, Director of Music & Culture at Arnold Worldwide. His leadership and belief in music as a strategic brand asset led to his global appointment at Havas — all while continuing to top charts as an artist, including his #1 Billboard Jazz single "Taboo." 

In his dual role, Escobar will continue to serve as Global Chief Music Officer for Havas while leading the future of Art of Sound — ensuring that music and sound remain central to how brands show up in culture across the entire network.

Most recently, Escobar was appointed to the Music & Entertainment Jury for the 2025 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity, a reflection of his creative leadership and further proof of AOS and Havas' role in shaping the future of sonic marketing.

"With the rapid rise of new creators and influencers — and the meteoric advances in AI — the power of sound in all its forms has never been more apparent," says Donna Murphy, Global CEO of Havas Creative and Health Networks. "Sound is a powerful emotional driver, and when approached innovatively, it enables brands to amplify their messaging in meaningful ways. We know Damien and his team of experts bring a unique perspective, passion, and experience to our clients, and we are thrilled to welcome them into these new and expanded roles within Havas."

For more information about Art of Sound and its offerings, reach out to [email protected].

About Havas
Founded in 1835 in Paris, Havas is one of the world's largest global communications groups, with nearly 23,000 people operating in over 100 markets and sharing one mission: to make a meaningful difference to brands, businesses, and people. To meet the needs of its clients, Havas has developed a seamlessly integrated strategy and operating system, Converged, fusing all its global expertise, tools and capabilities, to create, produce, and distribute real-time, optimized, and personalized marketing solutions at scale. With inspired human ideas at the heart of this unique model, supercharged by the latest data, technology and AI, the teams work together with agility and in perfect synergy within Havas Villages to provide clients with tailor-made solutions that support them in their positive transformation. Havas is committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace, that prioritizes the well-being and professional development of its talents. Further information about Havas is available at www.havas.com.

About Art of Sound 
Art of Sound (AOS), a global specialty service from Havas, is a leading sonic marketing agency — where audio branding, strategic sonic storytelling, and music production collide. In a crowded market, AOS knows how to help brands find their unique voice in culture — using the power of sound to spark emotion, stay unforgettable, and build lasting legacy. AOS has a playbook that doesn't involve just following trends — AOS sets them — creating auditory experiences that are relevant and align seamlessly with a brand's identity and values. Whether it's a bold sonic campaign, an immersive sonic identity, or an innovative sonic approach, every note is intentional and designed to resonate. And with an award-winning team of musicians, strategists, creative directors, producers, and composers — AOS takes sound a step further — turning it into a story that amplifies a brand's message, shapes its image, and keeps the brand apart of the cultural conversation.

SOURCE Havas Worldwide, LLC