Voice-Over Celebrity and Author Rodney Saulsberry returns to his musical roots with the release of his new single, “Better Than Before.”

Voiceover artist Rodney Saulsberry has released a new single, “Better Than Before”,

His first album was produced by the legendary jazz bassist, Stanley Clarke. He also sang on the catchy tune, Hakuna Matata from the Lion King Movie Soundtrack Album. His new single is the first selection from his upcoming CD, “Better Than Before” that includes several other inspirational songs designed to uplift listeners and keep them in a positive frame of mind!

Rodney Saulsberry is one of the most sought after voiceover artists in the world. He is the voice of many commercial products that include, Twix Candy Bars, Zatarain’s Cajun Foods and Toyota Camry. He’s also the author of two bestselling books, You Can Bank on Your Voice and Step Up to the Mic.

In a recent interview Rodney stated, “Given the choice between music that brings me down and music that lifts me up, I’ll choose the positive uplifting music every time.”

He hopes that you will make the choice to purchase his new single and be, “Better Than Before.”

Source: Rodney Saulsberry

McCain Political Voice “Joan” a Corporate Secret

The company producing John McCain’s political ads is refusing to reveal the identity of the narrator used in the campaign’s most recent commercials. The Politico newspaper reports chairman of the company Strategic Perception Fred Davis III says, “We consider that a corporate secret.”

The woman who narrates the now-famous McCain ad “Celeb” has also been used in three other commercials attacking Barack Obama. Her voice is described by some at the company as “pleasant to listen to” and “an every-woman’s voice.”

What is known is that her first name is Joan and that she began doing political voice-overs about a year ago. The Politico reports the business is desperate for new and unfamiliar voices and that is why the company is so tight-lipped about Joan’s identity.

Source: Fox News

Voice Actors Add Humanity to Obituaries Online

When Stan Crumley’s father passed away two and a half years ago, Crumley found himself facing one of life’s milestones—writing his father’s obituary.

Crumley went through the process of trying to sum up his father’s life for the standard newspaper death notice. Afterward, though, he felt unsatisfied. “I wanted more from it,” Crumley says. “You read it and you say, ‘I wonder what the rest of the story is of this guy’s life?’”

So Crumley decided to put his 35 years of experience in television-news broadcasting to a new purpose—creating lasting video tributes to the recently deceased. A former WLOS-TV advertising salesman, he created Stan Crumley Productions Inc. and started a new business, dubbed OB-TV, which stands for “Obituary Television.” Crumley has teamed up with two other former WLOS colleagues—former reporter Deborah Potter and former producer Ernie Sigmon—to produce broadcast-quality video segments out of offices on Hendersonville Road.

The goal, according to Crumley, is to “put together mini-stories that tell the story of what that person meant to you.”

Creating the video tribute starts with the family electronically sending OB-TV 15 to 20 photographs. There’s an online form that allows family members to provide a variety of background information. Writers then put together a script for a one-and-a-half, two-and-a-half or three-and-a-half minute video. A selection of graphics can be added, and Crumley says he can draw from a group of professional voice actors to read the script.

Once the video’s completed, the family receives three DVDs to save or share, and the video will be posted to the OB-TV Web site (http://www.ob-tv.com). The service costs between $400 and $500, and the company requires a copy of a death certificate before it will produce a video.

James T. “Tommy” Rice Jr. of Anders-Rice Funeral Homes in Asheville says he’s seen Crumley’s presentation and sample video, but declined comment because he says he hasn’t had enough experience with the service.

Using the Internet to memorialize the dead is becoming more common. Legacy.com, a Web site that hosts the obit sites of more than 500 newspapers, allows people to view photos, leave written or audio comments, and combine photos and music for a tribute.

“The Internet is such a terrific tool for presenting people who have left us,” says Alana Baranick, obituary writer for the The Plain Dealer in Cleveland, which uses Legacy.com. Combining the multimedia elements allows for richer storytelling, Baranick says.

“Many of the major newspapers are doing more justice to the folks who are dead. Rather than a resume of the life, obituaries are explaining what made them tick. It tells you more about us as human beings,” says Baranick, the chief author of the book Life on the Death Beat: A Handbook for Obituary Writers (Marion Street Press, 2005). Baranick also runs a blog about obituaries called the Obituary Forum and is part of the Society of Professional Obituary Writers. Families who see the online obituaries “are thrilled,” she says.

Crumley says he doesn’t know of another company offering professionally produced video tributes, and he has high hopes for his business. The goal is to provide video tributes to anyone across the United States. Locally, Crumley says he’s reached out to a number of funeral homes to educate them about OB-TV and its services.

“We want to make it a celebration of life,” he says. “Something that represents the person they love and something that can be handed down for generations.”
Source: Mountain Express News

McDonald’s Turns to Customers for New Spin on Famous Big Mac Jingle

McDonald’s USA launched a national casting call today inviting consumers to submit a video or audio remix of the popular Big Mac chant on MySpace.com. The winning remix will be featured in a McDonald’s Big Mac TV commercial that will air at the end of July. Semi-finalists will be selected by a panel of judges and the winner will be chosen through an online vote by July 22.

Keith Reinhard, Chairman Emeritus of DDB Worldwide, and his creative group at Needham Harper & Steers developed the famous “Twoallbeefpattiesspecialsaucelettucecheesepicklesonionsonasesameseedbun” Big Mac jingle in 1974. Now, to continue the celebration of the sandwich’s 40th anniversary, McDonald’s is giving consumers a chance to rediscover their love of the Big Mac with a fresh new twist.

“For 40 years, the Big Mac has been a familiar favorite not only to our guests in the United States, but around the world,” said Neil Golden, chief marketing officer, McDonald’s USA. “To share in the pride we have for our flagship sandwich, we’re inviting our customers to join in the fun and add their own contemporary touch to the famous tongue-twister that celebrates the quality ingredients in our iconic sandwich.”

Jim “MJ” Delligatti, one of McDonald’s founder Ray Kroc’s earliest franchisees, invented the Big Mac in his Uniontown, Pa. restaurant and introduced it for 45 cents in 1967. Consisting of two 100% all-beef patties, special sauce, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions on a sesame-seed bun, the Big Mac quickly gained popularity and was introduced on McDonald’s national menu in 1968.

To kick-off the year-long anniversary celebration last August, Delligatti and his family officially opened the doors to the McDonald’s Big Mac Museum Restaurant — “the most tasteful museum in the world” — in North Huntingdon, Pa. The combo museum/restaurant features the world’s largest Big Mac statue (measuring 14 feet high and 12 feet wide), and hundreds of historic artifacts and high-tech exhibits that celebrate the Big Mac. The museum is one of 18 McDonald’s restaurants owned and operated by M&J Management, a three-generation family business and McDonald’s franchise organization for 50 years.

Today, more than 500 million Big Mac sandwiches are sold each year in America alone. The sandwich is sold in more than 100 countries and, because of its global presence, inspired The Economist Magazine’s “Big Mac Index,” an annual comparison of foreign currency values against the U.S. dollar.

About McDonald’s

McDonald’s USA, LLC is the leading foodservice provider in the United States serving a variety of wholesome foods made from quality ingredients to millions of customers every day. More than 80 percent of McDonald’s 13,700 U.S. restaurants are independently owned and operated by local franchisees. For more information about McDonald’s visit http://www.mcdonalds.com.

Alec Baldwin Narrates PSA for the Coalition of the Homeless

The “30 Rock” actor narrates a public service announcement “When All Else Fails“, released by the Coalition for the Homeless, a charity blasting Bloomberg’s follow-through on a 2004 pledge to slash the number of homeless New Yorkers.

Over footage of people on city streets, Baldwin recites statistics such as “over 40,000 New Yorkers will go to sleep homeless tonight.” A coalition spokeswoman says the spot will be televised on various networks.

The city Department of Homeless Services says the number of homeless people on Manhattan streets and in shelters is shrinking, which the coalition disputes.

Baldwin’s representatives didn’t immediately return phone calls Wednesday. The 50-year-old actor is an enthusiastic Democrat who often speaks out on political matters.

Source: Fox News

Ed Burns Voice Over to Help Tone Down Elitist Image of Pro Golf

As the U.S. Open golf tournament gets under way, the U.S. Golf Association is launching a $10 million ad campaign designed to take some of the starch out of the game’s image. New TV spots debut tonight on ESPN.

The campaign was developed by Omnicom’s Fathom Communications, New York, which won the account in April after a review that included Kirshenbaum Bond + Partners. Incumbent BBDO did not defend.

Four new TV spots air this week on ESPN’s prime-time coverage and during NBC’s weekend afternoon telecasts of the final two rounds (June 14-15).

In addition to the new commercials, directed by Academy Award-winning director Errol Morris (Fog of War), the campaign will utilize online, direct mail and experiential components.

The spots (with voiceovers by actor Ed Burns) are designed to soften the game’s elitist image and demonstrate that anyone can play. In one ad, kids are shown playing. In another a couple is playing a round and it’s the woman who has the handicap, not her male partner. But while everyday folks are featured instead of the celebrity-laden spots featured previously, the “For the good of the game” tagline, developed by BBDO, remains.

The overall campaign will focus on the core functions of the USGA, which include writing the Rules of Golf, establishing the USGA Handicap Index System, conducting 13 national championships, and maintaining the history of the game through the USGA Museum and the new Arnold Palmer Center for Golf History in Bernards Township, N.J.

Commenting on the new campaign, USGA chief business officer Pete Bevacqua said, “We are excited about the energy, creativity and vision that Fathom has demonstrated. We look forward to working very closely with them as we unveil additional components of our campaign over the coming months.”

Peter Groome, president of Fathom Communications, said. “Our focus for the USGA is to develop a complete communications plan that will create a stronger connection between golfers and the USGA at all points of contact and well beyond their most visible medium, television.”

Source: AdWeek.com

When Voiceovers on TV Series Work

Frequently there are TV shows and series that are great shows, but from time to time – sometimes too often – use voiceovers in a way that does not enhance the show. It has been said by some that a show as excellent as Sex and the City or Desperate Housewives use voiceovers that many times don’t work.

They don’t flow. They are too obvious and the shows would be better served without them.

On the other hand, there are shows that use voiceovers in a creative way that enhances the show and draws in the viewer in a fun and unique and even odd way.

One of the shows that has been mentioned a lot when it comes to effective and excellent use of voiceovers is “Dexter.” The main character is “closed” and does not allow others inside. As a result, he makes sure to hide who he is, what he is thinking and what he is capable of. When you are dealing with a homicide analyst/serial killer who works with the police department (Miami) to solve cases, you have a pretty complex guy and a pretty intense series and plots.

If you’re the viewer your emotions are never quite settled when you are looking at a man who has so much to hide, yet, is so integral to figuring out the “who done its” and has some deep-seated and understandable reasons for why he is who he is, thinks how he thinks and does what he does. Add stellar voiceovers to all this and on this series it works.

If you haven’t seen Dexter yet, take a look, if for no other reason than to see an intelligent TV series that uses good plots, a great main character and voiceovers that work.

Reader’s Digest Articles Voiced for the Blind by VO Pros

Fourteen of America’s best known voice actors quietly give of their time each month, voicing Reader’s Digest Articles for the blind via AIRSLA in Los Angeles.

The May podcast, which can be heard at http://airsla.org/readers_digest.asp, features the voices of:

Harlan Hogan, Larry Wayne, Cheryl Kay, Julie Williams, and Doug Turkel, with announcer Bob Marini, and post production by Steven Powell.

This is the first Reader’s Digest Podcast for Turkel who is a proud addition to the AIRSLA team.

Other talent freely giving to this endeavor, include:

Bill Lee, Bobbin Beam, Linda O’Brian, Colin Campbell, Dave Shropshire, Janet Ault, and Kara Edwards.

Source: Julie Williams

Mystery Voice Actor Soliciting Your Vote?

Who is Lamont Williams?

That’s the question on many a blogger’s mind since the story about the direct mail and illegal robo-call voter-registration drive broke a couple of weeks ago in North Carolina.

African-American voters in North Carolina received automated, anonymous phone calls from a mysterious man named Lamont Williams a week ago. The voice informed them that they would be receiving a voter-registration packet in the mail, and it asked them to sign and return it.

“Hello, this is Lamont Williams. In the next few days, you will receive a voter registration packet in the mail. All you need to do is sign it, date it and return your application. Then you will be able to vote and make your voice heard. Please return the voter registration form when it arrives. Thank you.”

The only problem is that the mail-in voter-registration deadline in North Carolina had passed, and some of the call’s recipients had already registered.

The North Carolina attorney general’s office is investigating the incident, which it says may be illegal because the calls didn’t identify their sponsors and offer recipients a way to opt out.

A D.C.-based voter-registration group called Women’s Voices, Women Vote was responsible for the campaign, and has apologized for confusing voters.

The anonymous calls using the unknown male persona look especially strange since the voter-registration group has, in the past, used high-profile celebrities to advance their cause. And everything the group has said about its mission before this week has indicated that it exclusively targets unmarried women.

Consider this price list (.pdf), found on the group’s website, in which WVWV offers to sell its database. “WVWV targets only unmarried women, including divorced or widowed women,” the document reads. “WVWV has used state-of-the-art technology and data-mining and analysis techniques in order to accurately identify these women and encourage them to register and turn out to vote.”

There’s nothing in there, or anywhere else on its website, about the group expanding to target African-American men.

The group said Thursday that Lamont Williams is the real name of the voice performer they hired for the 20-second recording. Threat Level searched the top voice talent agencies with online databases, and didn’t find Mr. Williams.

Source: Wired.com

Your Call is Important; On Hold Gold

When calling everything from airlines and hotels to hospitals and newspaper offices, holding the line is an oft-repeated reality. But the idle moments waiting to talk to someone in this time-is-money world don’t have to be a total loss. At least Chris Weeg doesn’t think so.

“They’re silly things that don’t necessarily have to do with marketing,” says Weeg, who fashions outside-the-box audio for the Medford advertising agency. “We’ve done some off-the-wall things and even had some people request to be put back on hold after we’ve wrapped up the situation.”

While humor may go a long way in calming callers, most clients want to simply inform their captive audience of services and products, even sales or monthly specials.

“That’s a pretty standard fare,” Weeg says.

In 1989, years before going to work for Radio Medford, talk show host Garth Harrington formed a company called Inpho to provide on-hold messages. He built a clientele of 250 over a seven-year period before selling to Robert Vigil.

“If people are sitting there on hold and don’t know that much about your company, it’s a great opportunity,” Harrington says. “A person can’t buy something from you, it they don’t know you have it.”

Maentz keeps voice talent — whose voices, if not faces, are familiar to Rogue Valley residents — on retainer.

Brad Douglas, who splits time between Palm Springs and Central Oregon, has a portable audio booth that allows him to quickly turn around a voice-over for the agency, Weeg says. “We can call him in the morning and he can give us what we need in a few hours.”

Traci Ann Swensgaard works out of her own in-house studio in Ashland.

Source: MailTribune.com

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