Wave Studios Launches in New York

Wave, the globally acclaimed sound design and audio post-production company have launched their latest outpost in New York City.

The award winning team announced news of their move into the US market at the end of 2017, but now their Manhattan studios are open for business.  

It has always been a dream of the original partners to open in New York and 2018 felt like the right time to embark on a new adventure. Their commitment to forming a vibrant, creative and highly skilled team and space is reflected in both the design of the studios and in their choice of staff. 

Wave’s European team have worked with American clients for many years. So the new venture both embraces and builds upon their existing reputation. As great admirers of the US advertising and film arenas their aim is to combine their considerable talents and experience with those of their US counterparts.

Heading up the sound design and engineering department is Aaron Reynolds. As an original member of Wave’s founding team in 1999 he is among the most respected sound designers and sound engineers in the World. During his career he has been awarded by the BTA Craft awards, D&AD, Creative Circle, MASA, NYF and the Cannes Lions. He has had the pleasure of working with agencies including Wieden & Kennedy, BBH, Adam & Eve DDB, AMV BBDO and Grey. As a much admired Sound Designer his skills have been engaged to work on campaigns for brands such as Audi, Nike, Sony and Budweiser. It was a key factor in creating the new studios that they launched with one of their most talented and experienced members at the helm. As partner/ECD Aaron is excited for the chance to once again be at the start of something special. He has already hit the ground running by working with new clients at the state of the art studios.  

Of his exciting new role Aaron says:

“The creation of Wave New York is a dream come true for me and something we have been talking about for some time. I am very excited to be at the heart of this new chapter in the Wave story. I am already really proud of the team and the space we have built in New York, and looking forward to all the adventures that lie ahead.”

Joining Aaron are figures from New York’s audio scene. Among them are Senior Audio Engineer and Sound Designer, Chris Afzal and Executive Producer, Vicky Ferraro.

Chris Afzal is an award-winning sound designer and engineer with almost 20 years' experience in New York's advertising industry. He is most memorably known for his five years at New York’s Sound Lounge where he cultivated relationships with agencies including Droga 5, Merkley, and BBH. More recently Chris worked at Gramercy Park Studios NY, the creative services arm of Hogarth, where he spent the last two years heading up their audio department. 

Afzal got his post-production start at J. Walter Thompson New York's studio. Later he was recruited to design and lead the audio department at Charlex. He soon attracted the attention of audio post house Sound Lounge.

Over the course of his career, Afzal has worked with brands such as Under Armour, PlayStation, Cadillac and Facebook. He has also received awards that include the Cannes Lions Film Craft Grand Prix, three Gold Cannes Lions, an AMP Award for Outstanding Mix, and an International Fashion Film Award.

 

Of his new position Chris says:

"For years, I have admired Wave's talent and work. It is an honor and a privilege to join their team, as they establish a presence in New York; I am excited to see what we can achieve together in the US market.”

Vicky Ferraro brings with her over 20 years of advertising production experience to her role as Executive Producer of Wave New York. 

Graduating from Boston College she also started at JWT in New York, though in her case as a Producer. After six years she moved  to Washington D.C. for a job producing award-winning television promos at PBS. However, her passion for sound found her returning to New York to work at audio post-production studio, Sound Lounge. There, she devoted herself to growing the company's brand and worked with many top ad agencies and blue chip brands. 

After 12 dedicated years, she moved to Hogarth, where she led their creative services arm, Gramercy Park Studios New York. 

 

Vicky comments on her new role: 

“While I’ve always been impressed by Wave’s body of work and incredible talent, it was when I came to know the team in London and Amsterdam that I realized their success is also based on their warmth, authenticity, and familial approach to the business.  I knew then it was a company I needed to work for and proudly represent in New York City.”

Within New York sound design and sound mixing have often been separated. At Wave, clients are given the opportunity to experience both disciplines under one roof. The combined services shall provide a distinct advantage to their offering and one which they hope shall eventually become as successful as it has for them in their European studios.

Wave is famed for creating so many great moments in audio history and are the most awarded sound studio in the World. However, it is their simple approach to sound design and production they shall deploy in this next venture. Wave has always delivered every soundtrack with the same amount of enthusiasm and vigour, pushing boundaries to create groundbreaking audio. The new outpost shall be no exception. 

Two sound design and mixing suites have been built that will be supported by producers and technicians to cater for their client’s every need. New kit will include two Dolby certified mixing suites, running Avid S6 desks. The team shall also be using Nuendo in a Pro Tools community. This poses a unique advantage for all providing more functionality and versatility as it relates to sound design and mixing.