Bold Scandinavia Brings “A Sound for Every Story” to Life with Epidemic Sound at SXSW 2025
At SXSW 2025, where creativity and innovation take center stage, global soundtracking platform Epidemic Sound stepped into the spotlight in a way only they could — with bold cinematic flair and a touch of surreal storytelling. As the official sponsor of the Film & TV track, Epidemic Sound partnered with Scandinavian branding agency Bold Scandinavia to craft an unforgettable experience that left both ears and imaginations buzzing.
To kick off the partnership, Bold Scandinavia created a 15-second ad that played before every screening in the prestigious Headliners category at the Alamo Theater — the showcase for major Hollywood and commercial projects. The brief was clear: capture the attention of the industry’s top players, from studios and streamers to production companies and creative agencies.
The result? A fast-paced, genre-mashing fever dream of a spot that reimagined the Epidemic Sound logo through the lens of dozens of cinematic tropes. Packed with playful references to iconic films and absurd juxtapositions, the ad proposed a bizarre-yet-brilliant film genre of its own: the ocean-noir-post-yakuza-absurdist-culinary-office-survival-snowy-western-musical-revenge-anime-neo-greek-zombie-DIY-disaster-award-winning movie. And yes, it somehow worked.
The message was loud and clear: Epidemic Sound has the perfect track for every story — even the ones that defy explanation.
But the experience didn’t end in the theater. From March 7–11, Epidemic Sound transformed The Filmmakers Lounge into a fully immersive activation inspired by the ad’s chaotic creativity. Visitors were invited to step into two unique cinematic universes, each designed to highlight the brand’s mission: to provide a sound for every story.
In the first universe, “The Absurdist Culinary Office Survival,” guests played a genre-matching sound game using everyday objects that made anything but everyday sounds — like a keyboard that barked like a dog. It was unexpected, strange, and wildly fun.
The second, “The Snowy Western Anime Musical Zombie Revenge,” offered a more contemplative vibe: a listening lounge featuring three curated playlists, each tied to one of the featured mashup genres. It was a celebration of musical storytelling — the way sound alone can transport listeners to entirely different worlds.
“At Epidemic Sound, we are inspired by groundbreaking ideas and stories,” said Rob Bullough, VP of Global Brand & Creative at Epidemic Sound. “Our activation at South by Southwest was a tribute to the magic of film, showcasing how music is the heartbeat of every compelling story.”
And to extend that heartbeat beyond SXSW’s walls, the campaign included a line of limited-edition merchandise tied to the ad, allowing attendees to bring a piece of the story — and its sound — home with them.
With offices in Stockholm, Oslo, and Copenhagen, Bold Scandinavia continues to prove its expertise in creating powerful brand experiences. Their work on the Epidemic Sound x SXSW 2025 campaign is a shining example of how design, storytelling, and strategic thinking can come together to make a brand not only seen and heard — but remembered.
