Syn Reimagines Billy Joel’s A Matter of Trust For New CNN Promo That Call For Healing Broken Bonds

Creative music agency Syn has collaborated with CNN on a new promo video that aims to inspire audiences to rebuild broken bonds and believe in the good in each other. Black and white still images of evocative moments and the anchors who convey them are supported with Syn’s rearrangement of Billy Joel’s A Matter of Trust. Here, sound and image come together to remind us that trust is the foundation of true achievement. 

On this special project, Syn embraced the challenge of reimagining the 80’s classic into a spare and emotional anthem with a production that ultimately spanned many countries and time zones. The skillful arrangement was recorded in Los Angeles on upright piano, with staccato strings and acoustic guitar layered in for emotional punctuation. Using remote technology, Syn was able to direct and record a 20 piece string orchestra in Macedonia - all of which was mixed in Tokyo for cinematic results which were delivered to CNN in Atlanta.

Client: CNN

Executive Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, CNN Worldwide: Allison Gollust

Senior Vice President, CNN Creative Marketing: Rick Lewchuck

Vice President & Group Creative Director, CNN Creative Marketing: Whit Friese

Senior Director of Production: Matt Barnett

Senior Writer/Producer, CNN Creative Marketing: Jeff Mielcarz

Production Resource Manager, CNN Creative Marketing: Denise Patierno

Senior Production Managers, CNN Creative Marketing: Nichole Goralnik & Laura Scott

Post Production Manager, CNN Creative Marketing: Greg Enfield

Editor: Brian Simmons

Production Company: Minted Content 

Music Production: Syn

Music Director & Producer: Nick Wood

Piano: Christopher Joyner

Orchestration: Todd Hayen

Production Assistant Mathieu Kranich

Mixed by Takashi Akaku at Syn Studios Tokyo

VO: Pia Easley

Sound: Warner Audio 

Sound Design/Mixing: Steve Warner

Color: Company 3

Soraia Callison: Executive Producer

Billy Gabor: Senior Colorist

Justin White: Junior Colorist