La Semaine du Son

What La Semaine du Son does

La Semaine du Son is a French non-profit association (loi 1901) founded in November 1998 by Christian Hugonnet to raise awareness of the societal challenges of sound. Operating from a single Paris headquarters at 52 rue René Boulanger with a 17-person team, the organization functions as an advocacy NGO and runs an annual UNESCO Sound Week each January (now in its 23rd edition in 2026) covering five thematic domains: hearing health, acoustics and sound environment, recording and broadcasting techniques, image-sound relationships, and musical expression. Its program portfolio spans the flagship Sound Week event series (Paris, French regions, and 12+ international editions), the Best Sound Creation Award presented at the Cannes Film Festival's Un Certain Regard selection since 2017, the 'Quand le son crée l'image' film competition for students across 30 French académies and the UNESCO Associated Schools Network, the 'Place au Son' acoustic design competition, the Quinzaine des Orchestres orchestral event, and the Decibelator—a Préventec-manufactured sound level display device launched in 2025. The organization holds official UNESCO consultative partner status (since August 2024) and originated UNESCO Resolution 39C/49 adopted October 31, 2017.

The business model is that of an association rather than a commercial enterprise. Revenue is generated through three streams: individual and institutional membership fees (adhésion), corporate partnerships and sponsorships (with donors entitled to a 60% French corporate tax reduction, Senate dinner invitations, and year-round event access), and unit sales of the Decibelator hardware device (priced at 555 EUR ex. VAT for single-sided and 680 EUR ex. VAT for double-sided). The organization is supported by 40+ institutional partners spanning UNESCO, Universal Music France, Saint-Gobain, France Télévisions, WHO, Fondation Pour l'Audition, Philharmonie de Paris, Sorbonne University, L-Acoustics, the French Ministry of Education, and Cannes Film Festival. Distribution occurs via direct event participation at UNESCO headquarters and partner venues, educational channels through French académies and UNESCO Associated Schools, and direct hardware orders via Préventec; there is no software platform, API, or proprietary technology stack—only a multilingual WordPress-based website and event/podcast channels.

The organization's mission centers on five sectoral objectives formalized in the 2014 Charter, addressing noise pollution, hearing-loss prevention, audiovisual sound education, acoustic environment quality, and musical expression. Its competitive position derives from its unique regulatory standing as the originator of the only UNESCO resolution on sound (39C/49) and a 23-year operating track record, rather than from any technology advantage. Customer concentration is diffuse across corporate sponsors, government stakeholders, and the general public, with the UNESCO relationship representing the single highest-value institutional dependency.

Name

La Semaine du Son

Legal name

La Semaine du Son

Website

https://lasemaineduson.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

La Semaine du Son is a French non-profit association and UNESCO consultative partner that organizes the annual UNESCO Sound Week and complementary programs (Cannes Best Sound Creation Award, student film and acoustic design competitions, orchestra events, and the Decibelator hardware device) to raise awareness of sound's societal impact across hearing health, acoustics, recording, image-sound relationships, and musical expression.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Paris

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: The organization generates revenue through membership fees (adhésion), offering individuals and organizations the opportunity to join the association and support its mission of raising awareness about sound-related societal issues.
2. Corporate partnerships and sponsorships: Corporate donations and sponsorships from companies and foundations. Partners receive tax reductions (60% corporate tax reduction), invitations to Senate dinners, and event invitations throughout the year.
3. Decibelator sales: Sale of the Decibelator device at preferential rates: 555 euros (excl. VAT) for single-sided and 680 euros (excl. VAT) for double-sided decibelizers, sold through Préventec with a portion supporting the association.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

La Semaine du Son is a non-profit association that organizes awareness-raising events, conferences, and educational programs on the societal importance of sound quality. Its core offerings include the annual UNESCO Sound Week held each January in Paris, regional French editions, and international editions abroad, complemented by the Best Sound Creation Award at Cannes Film Festival, student film competitions ("Quand le son crée l'image"), acoustic design competitions ("Place au Son"), the Orchestra Fortnight, and the Decibelator sound level display device.

Product overview

La Semaine du Son is a non-profit association and UNESCO partner that organizes awareness-raising events and programs centered on the societal importance of sound quality. Its portfolio includes the annual UNESCO Sound Week (France, International), the Best Sound Creation Award at Cannes Film Festival, the "Quand le son crée l'image" film competition for students and amateurs, the "Place au Son" acoustic design competition, the Orchestra Fortnight event, and The Decibelator—a hardware device for public sound level display. The association also collaborates with Universal Music on a Sound Quality label for productions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Best Sound Creation Award Cannes: Award for best sound creation presented at the Cannes Film Festival, initiated in 2017 as part of the 'Un Certain Regard' selection.
• Quand le son crée l'image
• Le Décibelateur (The Decibelator)
• Orchestre Fortnight
• Place au Son

Products and services

• UNESCO Sound Week (La Semaine du Son) Annual international awareness event held every January featuring free conferences, debates, demonstrations, and concerts on sound-related topics across five domains: hearing health, acoustics/sound environment, recording and broadcasting techniques, image-sound relationship, and musical expression. Held in Paris at UNESCO, with regional French editions and international editions in Belgium, Peru, USA, Portugal, and Scotland.
• Best Sound Creation Award at Cannes (Prix de la Meilleure Création Sonore) Annual award presented at the Cannes Film Festival within the 'Un Certain Regard' selection since 2017, recognizing directors for sound excellence in their films. Organized with CST (Commission Supérieure Technique de l'Image et du Son).
• "Quand le son crée l'image" Competition Annual film competition inviting participants to create short films from a composed soundtrack by a renowned composer. Includes national school competition (with French Ministry of Education across 30 académies), international school competition (UNESCO ASPnet), international competition (Institut Français), and eco-responsible high schools competition. Targets students from 4ème to terminale.
• "Place au Son" Competition Competition focused on creating acoustically viable terraces where people can converse without raising their voices, encouraging design teams to balance sound environments with human activities in urban settings.
• Orchestra Fortnight (Quinzaine des Orchestres) Annual event held in January inviting orchestras to perform or hold open rehearsals across France, promoting musical expression and sound as pillars of personal and collective balance. The next edition is scheduled for January 2027.
• The Decibelator (Le Décibelateur) A sound level display hardware device designed to raise public awareness of noise levels through real-time measurement displays installed in public spaces. Available in single-sided and double-sided (flag-type) variants, manufactured by Préventec.

Quantifiable outcome

• UNESCO Resolution 39C/49 adopted by 195 member states in October 2017
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• UNESCOflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2017UNESCO adopted Resolution 39C/49 on October 31, 2017, on the importance of sound in today's world. La Semaine du Son originated this landmark resolution, which was adopted by UNESCO's General Conference with 195 member states. Since August 2024, the association holds official partner (consultative status) with UNESCO, organizing annual Sound Week events at UNESCO headquarters.
• Universal Music FrancecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMajor music industry partner supporting Sound Week events and the 'Sound Quality' label initiative to highlight productions respecting natural sound dynamics and avoiding over-compression.
• Saint-GobaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for housing acoustics conferences and events, focusing on innovations in building comfort, soundproofing, and home performance.
• France TélévisionscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPublic broadcasting partner supporting media coverage and visibility for Sound Week initiatives and sound-related content.
• La Clinique de l'OreillecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partner specializing in hearing health, supporting hearing health day events and conferences on innovations and inclusion for people with hearing disabilities.
• CST (Commission Supérieure Technique de l'Image et du Son)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnical standards organization in image and sound, collaborating on the Best Sound Creation Award at Cannes Film Festival.
• French Ministry of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational education ministry partnership for the 'Quand le son crée l'image' school competition targeting students from 4ème to terminale across 30 académies.
• UNESCO Associated Schools Network (ASPnet)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational school network partnership for the 'Quand le son crée l'image' competition, enabling participation of schools globally.
• Institut FrançaiscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerFrench cultural institute partnership for international competition and promotion of French sound education internationally.
• World Health Organization (WHO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWHO collaboration on hearing prevention and Deafness Prevention Programme, with Dr Shelly Chadha participating in Sound Week events since 2016.
• Fondation Pour l'AuditioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHearing foundation partner supporting hearing health awareness and research initiatives.
• Philharmonie de PariscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrestigious music venue hosting Sound Week events including sound quality conferences and exceptional concerts.
• Sorbonne UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partner organizing the 'Forum des méthodes du son' (Sound Methods Forum) in collaboration with La Semaine du Son, offering acoustics master's programs.
• L-AcousticscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerProfessional audio equipment manufacturer partnering for sound quality events and concerts at Sound Week.
• PréventecminorOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerManufacturer of the Decibelator device, created on the initiative of La Semaine du Son for public noise awareness.
• French GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench government partner and official recognition as 'association reconnue d'intérêt général à caractère social' and approved by Minister of Education.
• ARCOM (Régie française de la diffusion audiovisuelle)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFrench audiovisual regulatory body partner.
• France AlzheimerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlzheimer's association partnership exploring connections between hearing loss and cognitive decline.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Sound and Music: UK charity championing new music and listening, with comparable programmatic mix (composer development, public events, education). It serves as a useful functional parallel for La Semaine du Son's musical expression and image-sound pillars, though operating primarily in the UK rather than France.

Direct peers

• Hearing Loss Association of America: US consumer advocacy organization for the hard-of-hearing community, running awareness days, partnerships with audiology providers, and policy advocacy. Mirrors La Semaine du Son's hearing-health pillar and 'Clinique de l'Oreille' / Fondation Pour l'Audition partnerships, though operating in a different regulatory and partnership environment.
• Fête de la Musique: France's annual June 21 music celebration is the most directly comparable awareness event: a French government-backed, free, recurring public event that builds nationwide cultural awareness around music, with international editions. Both organizations mobilize similar stakeholders (musicians, public venues, media, ministries) toward annual awareness outcomes rather than commercial music activity.
• Acouphènes France: French patient association for tinnitus sufferers, focusing on awareness, support, and partnership with audiology professionals. Directly comparable in scope (French non-profit, awareness-driven, hearing-health focused) and a natural peer for the association's hearing-health pillar, including possible overlap with 'France Alzheimer' cross-condition work La Semaine du Son has begun.
• Hearing Health Foundation: US-based non-profit funding hearing-loss research and prevention, with comparable mission overlap to La Semaine du Son's hearing health pillar. Both organizations convene awareness campaigns, partner with WHO-style bodies, and translate sound-exposure science into public-facing programming — making HHF the closest cross-Atlantic functional peer.
• Société Française d'Acoustique: France's national acoustics society operates as a scientific and professional community across the same five pillars La Semaine du Son addresses (acoustics, hearing, recording). It is a complementary rather than competitive French non-profit, and a logical academic anchor for the association's acoustics programming.
• Quiet Mark: UK-based certification program recognizing quiet-acoustics products, with an awareness-building mission similar to La Semaine du Son's 'Place au Son' competition. Both organizations aim to make sound environment quality legible to consumers and professionals, and both partner with acousticians and public-interest bodies.

Broad incumbents

• International Commission for Acoustics: International scientific organization under the International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, representing acousticians globally and organizing the International Congress on Acoustics. It is the established global body in the acoustics pillar, providing scientific legitimacy that La Semaine du Son's awareness mission complements rather than replaces.
• Audio Engineering Society: Global professional society for audio engineering, with sections worldwide and a long-running conference circuit. It is the dominant technical community addressing La Semaine du Son's recording and broadcasting pillar — making AES an incumbent that the association can partner with but not directly compete with.

Emerging players

• Centre National de la Musique: French state-backed music-sector support body providing economic and policy infrastructure for music. It is more administrative and economic than La Semaine du Son, but occupies adjacent French music-policy space and represents a potential institutional partner or comparator for any move into music-sector funding advocacy.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/la-semaine-du-son

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about La Semaine du Son