Howl is creative music strategy + execution.
Howl is a music company for advertising, based in Amsterdam and part of the Ringo group. We work out what music has to mean for a brand, then make it: original music, re-recordings, sound logos and syncs. Marcel Alexander Wiebenga and Nicholas van den Doel have run Howl since 2021, mostly for clients in the Netherlands and Germany.
What we believe
All music has meaning. Every Howl has meaning.
Before music becomes a craft, music should be a creative strategy. Music is energy, Howl is the prism, and meaning is the colour that comes out.
How we work
Composers make demos on the film before anything gets licensed. We license original music per year, renewed for as long as the brand uses it. More in Buyout or license.
- Insight. Every note and every beat carries meaning inside a culture. We find the meaning that fits your brand.
- Language. We turn that meaning into a music brief your client, the agency and the composer can agree on.
- Execution. Then we make it: an original composition, a re-recording, a sound logo or a sync.
Selected work
Watch the films on the home page.
- Eneco. A De Jeugd van Tegenwoordig classic for the new campaign, with choir sessions in Dutch and French.
- ASN Bank. Music research and the sync of Nappy Roots’ “Good Day”, now in its second year.
- Hyundai Palisade. An original score for the launch film, no voice-over, delivered with stems and four sound-logo options.
- Lynk & Co. Moondog’s “Bird’s Lament”, found through three imaginary DJ sets. It carried 40+ films.
- Chocomel. When Cécémel became Chocomel in Belgium: “Non, je ne regrette rien”, in a recording by Géraldine Olivier.
- Lenovo. One idea from a hundred years of music and machines, and every composer worked from it.
- PLUS. “Ich bin wie du” became “Net als jij”, sung by Wes & Wes for the Euros.
- The Dadchelor. Music clearance for the feature film and its trailer.
Who we are
Marcel and Nicholas met as teenagers in a hardcore band and later played in Oil: Marcel on drums, Nicholas on vocals. At Sizzer, from 2008 to 2018, Marcel became strategy director and partner and Nicholas managing director. That work covers 1,000+ commercials, films and TV shows and 50+ advertising awards, for brands like Heineken, Martini, Renault Sport, Diesel, Mercedes and Schweppes.
Marcel gives a talk for agency and brand teams: “How to have a better conversation about music.”
Howl in the Ringo group
Howl is part of the Ringo group, next door to Charlie, Sync Valuations and TrackShield. Howl makes new music. When an existing song is the better answer, we price and license it within the Ringo group.
Company details
- Howl B.V., Blankenstraat 404–406, 1018 SK Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- CoC (KvK) 83776486, VAT NL862986114B01
- Phone and WhatsApp: +31 6 24 21 67 20
- Mail: hello@wearehowl.com
Questions
What does Howl do?
Howl is creative music strategy + execution for advertising. Howl works out what music has to mean for a brand, then makes it: original music, re-recordings, sound logos and syncs.
Who runs Howl?
Marcel Alexander Wiebenga and Nicholas van den Doel, who worked together at Sizzer from 2008 to 2018 and have run Howl since 2021.
Where is Howl based?
In Amsterdam, at Blankenstraat 404–406. Howl works internationally, mostly for clients in the Netherlands and Germany.
Is Howl part of Ringo?
Yes. Howl is part of the Ringo group. Howl makes new music; existing songs are priced and licensed within the Ringo group.