​01.05.2025

Music agency SMP Amsterdam joins Eyes & Ears of Europe as a new member

by Eyes & Ears of Europe

27.05.2025 New member: SMP Amsterdam 

We create internationally award-winning music for TV | Films | Commercials | SMP Library 

The Dutch Sound Architect: Martijn Schimmer

From local beginnings to global acclaim, the Dutch composer who shaped the sound of modern television.

When you settle in to watch The Floor, The quiz with balls, or The Voice, or any number of popular television shows across the globe, you might not think twice about the catchy theme music that introduces the program. But for Dutch composer Martijn Schimmer, these sonic signatures represent the culmination of a lifelong passion for creating memorable musical moments. 

Early Beginnings

Born on August 21, 1975, in Rotterdam, Schimmer showed musical promise from an early age. His journey began with piano lessons at six years old, where his natural talent quickly became apparent. While studying at the Conservatorium in Amsterdam, Schimmer didn't just focus on classical composition; he embraced the emerging world of electronic music production, setting the stage for his future innovations.

Celebrating Three Decades of Excellence 

Schimmer's entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Schimmer Music Productions in 1995. Initially operating from a modest studio in his hometown. What started as a small venture quickly evolved into one of Holland’s most influential music production companies. By 2015, SMP Amsterdam had become a market leader in the Netherlands with five full-time audio producers and impressive facilities, including seven recording studios and a dedicated mixing stage. 

The company's growth reflects Schimmer's expanding influence in the industry. From composing local Dutch television themes to creating signature sounds for international broadcasting giants, his work now reaches audiences across more than 150 countries.

A Global Portfolio 

Schimmer's compositions have become the sonic backdrop for some of television's most recognizable moments: 

The distinctive themes for global franchises like The Voice, The Jump, Deal or no deal, The Floor, The Headliner, and Marble Mania. 

• Signature sounds for news programs like RTL News, De wereld Draait door, Jinek, PAUW, etc 
• 40 films and numerous television series: the work in films ranges from romantic comedies to youth-oriented movies, with music often enhancing the emotional depth and overall atmosphere of the stories, like the video-on-demand Videoland streaming hit Mocro Maffia. 
• Custom compositions in Germany, like the channel idents for Bayerischer Rundfunk and numerous of their signature shows, such as Abendschau. 

Innovation in Audio Branding

What sets Schimmer apart is his understanding that effective audio branding goes beyond simply creating pleasant melodies. His compositions function as powerful marketing tools that establish immediate emotional connections with audiences. In a media landscape where attention is fragmented across countless platforms, Schimmer's musical signatures help programs cut through the noise and create lasting impressions.

Recognition and Legacy

Schimmer's contributions to the industry have earned him multiple prestigious awards, including the ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for his theme music for The Voice. Over the years, he has also been honored with several Buma Awards in the Netherlands, recognizing both his film scores and television theme compositions. In 2019, his contributions to the industry were celebrated with the prestigious Buma Oeuvre Award Multi Media, awarded for his outstanding body of work.

SMP Amsterdam Located in Houthavens, a dynamic waterfront district in Amsterdam’s west known for its cutting-edge architecture and thriving creative scene, SMP Amsterdam is at the heart of the city’s media industry. 

The studio is powered by a full-time team of six seasoned audio producers, each bringing distinct expertise and creative energy to every project. From copyright management and royalty tracking to logistics and administration, every detail is handled with precision, ensuring seamless and efficient execution from start to finish.

SMP currently operates seven state-of-the-art studios, purpose-built for world-class productions. The facilities include two dedicated vocal booths, a spacious recording studio that accommodates up to 15 musicians, and seven advanced production suites equipped with both Nuendo and Pro Tools systems. The studio also features a Dolby Atmos Home-certified mixing room, delivering immersive audio experiences to the highest industry standards.

Security is paramount at SMP. All servers and control rooms are protected with Motion Picture Association (MPA)-compliant content security protocols, including motion detection and visual surveillance, ensuring your content is always safe and confidential.

What’s Next: Expansion to Germany 

In 2025, Martijn Schimmer’s company enters an exciting new chapter with the appointment of Bart Hendrikx as Strategy Director at SMP Amsterdam. A seasoned strategist and creative leader, Bart brings a rich blend of international experience and deep industry insight to the role. He previously served as Chief Commercial Officer at Drone Stories, the pioneering drone light show company pushing the boundaries of visual storytelling.

Bart’s connection to Germany runs deep. He spent three years in Berlin transforming Parasol Island into a hybrid production company for advertising, elevating the company to become Horizont’s Deutschlands 3rd kreativste Bewegtbildproduzenten by 2014. At Optimist, a global creative experience agency with offices in Hamburg, Berlin, and Munich, he further sharpened his skills in brand-driven storytelling. Earlier in his career, he was instrumental in expanding Dutch music agency MassiveMusic’s presence across the German television landscape throughout the 2010s.

In his new role at SMP, Bart will focus exclusively on the German market, strengthening partnerships, identifying strategic opportunities, and supporting the company’s continued expansion in the region. 

His appointment signals more than just growth; it reflects SMP’s steadfast commitment to innovation, creative collaboration, and staying at the forefront of an ever-evolving media and entertainment industry.

For more information, visit www.smp.nl