Rodney Saulsberry’s Better Than Before

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.”

Rodney Saulsberry’s motivational CD “Better Than Before”, features 7 motivational songs available on CDBaby.com, iTunes and RodneySaulsberry.com.

One of the most sought after voiceover artists in the world, Saulsberry 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.

Rodney Saulsberry reveals, “I recorded this CD for the voiceover community and all individuals who seek success. These seven motivational and inspirational songs were designed to help us navigate these tough times, as we pursue our VO careers with a positive attitude, and a confident frame of mind.”

Rodney returns to his musical roots with the release of his new album, “Better Than Before.” His first album was produced by the legendary jazz bassist, Stanley Clarke. He also sang on the catchy tune, Hakuna Matata on the Lion King Movie Soundtrack Album. This smooth and exciting CD is designed to uplift listeners and keep them in a positive frame of mind.

CD Baby reviewers LOVED this album.

Listener Rick Lance said “…If I had to choose one, my favorite is ‘Better Than Before’.  He sings with the sweet stylized tone of Marvin Gaye and with the soulful, gospel conviction of Al Green…”.

Reviewer Jon Morss shared “…Considering the news about the state of the economy and of the world, it is great to have some positive and emotionally uplifting music to brighten the day. This is like a personal ‘Spiritual Bailout’ that will get you out of a funk and into to a state of happiness all while causing you to dance around…”

Apparently Rodney’s music is drawing the attention of more than just the VO community and his other US fans. He is also experiencing strong sales in both Great Britain and Japan.

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

Source: Rodney Saulsberry

Summer James Gives a Voice to Breast Cancer Awareness

Summer James was hired to perform a voice over entitled “My Sister, Myself” which aired on Lifetimes’ Army Wives program this October in conjunction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

She got the gig through her agent (Leanna Levy of CL INC.) and recorded at a wonderful studio where a director and a host of others offered their input to make sure the voice over was handled properly for this project.

Voice actress Summer James relates, “This particular Voice Over does hold a very special place in my heart because there is NO cancer in my family, normally people are not excited about something that doesn’t affect them personally. I feel that as a woman it is our task to continue to bring awareness to Breast cancer simply because I am so fortunate to have not had to deal with this in my life.

“Once My Grandmother was told she had it and she refused to accept that anything would get her. She attended some treatment and when she went back there was no sign that she EVER had it. The Doctor said he must have incorrectly diagnosed her.

When asked about what others can do to help battle the disease, Summer replied, “It [her grandmother's brush with cancer] was just a wake up call. One I feel blessed to have received. This is yours. Support in any way you can, Run, Walk or Talk to help. It’s just that easy and everything makes a difference. Be the change you are seeking.”

Source: VOX Daily

Canadians Need More Estrogen in Political Office, Voice Overs a Good Start

The Canadian Women Voters Congress was in Vancouver Sunday. One of the many functions of this group is getting more women involved in the political process.

As Jennifer Sweeney, head of the congress, pointed out to Shannon Proudfoot of Canwest News Service, “being 52% of the population, (women) can be a very powerful group.”

And so, to attract this group, political parties have used everything from female voice-overs in political advertising, to sweaters and family-friendly messaging.

But the problem with these approaches is that they assume the majority of women will vote the same way if presented with a specific platform.
That’s hard to accept in 2008.

Women, like men, differ on almost every issue, from child-care benefits to crime and punishment.

Rather than attempt to merely woo the female vote at campaign time, we suggest all parties strive to increase the number of women at the nomination level, then after the election, increase the number of women in the cabinet or the shadow cabinet.

Women actually governing would be the truest representation of their 52% majority.

Source: The Daily News (Nanaimo) via Canada.com

Bob Jordan Voices John McCain in Political YouTube video

Voice Actor Bob Jordan was recently hired by Media Matters to impersonate the voice of John McCain in a very successful political spot that’s currently running on YouTube.

The ad entitled ‘They Love Him’ has been viewed over 14,000 times on YouTube.

Bob Jordan has been a voice actor for over 20 years and says “This has been one of those fun projects that makes you proud of your profession. It has also opened the door to a lot more work!”

You can view the spot at
MediaMattersActionNetwork.org or on Bob’s website TheVoiceBobJordan.com

Source: Bob Jordan

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

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