Members of Talent Guild International include from left to right Larry Julien, Bob Bailey, Bill Nevitt, Kevin Readdean and guest Peter K. O'Connell. Missing from the picture is Elizabeth Page Colwell

Corinth, NY is not the end of the world but you can see it from there.

Kidding! But it is a long way from Albany…none the less it was a very worthwhile journey to the very lovely home of voice talent Bill Nevit who is a member of Talent Guild International. Talent Guild Internationalâ„¢ (TGIâ„¢) is a group of on-camera, voiceover, print, and theatrical talent that have pooled their resources to help them market themselves more effectively.

More importantly Bill’s wife makes kick-ass chocolate brownies.

I first found the group some years ago on the web and was reintroduced to them when I visited with my friend Kevin Readdean.

My thanks to my hosts Larry Julien, Bob Bailey, Bill Nevitt, Kevin Readdean and Elizabeth Page Colwell for their gracious invitation and a nice evening.

Tags: commentary, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover meet-ups by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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On the left - the old-new logo. On the right - the dead logo

OK, see last week Gap Stores changed their logo. If you have any kind of life, you probably didn’t even know this.

That was the story…until the story became how much everyone hated it.

No, I don’t mean didn’t like it, I mean hated it.

Then the company said it was an ‘evolutionary’ logo – not exactly a vote of confidence for the logo design team.

Then the corporate folks said they’d take suggestions from the public.

Then they corporately said “screw it” and they went back to the original logo.

There is probably a huge marketing lesson in there somewhere.

I prefer to believe that it was simply common sense prevailing.

That is all….for now.

Tags: advertising, branding, logo design, marketing by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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Caitlin Sanchez - Voice of Dora The Explorer; Photo courtesy of Nickelodeon-AP

This is not the first voiceover contract battle nor will it likely be the last but Caitlin Sanchez family’s lawsuit now filed against defendants Nickelodeon, MTV Networks and Viacom International is a bit more high profile than most.

It pits Viacom, one of the world’s largest communication companies and owner of many media properties including MTV as well as Nickelodeon against the plaintiff Sanchez (and her family) who was hired in 2007 as the voice of Dora the Explorer for the wildly popular and profitable cartoon series of the same name. The family

According to the article in the New York Daily News, the suit claims “Defendants used Caitlin, unjustly enriching themselves of millions of dollars in profits from the series and branded products, which Caitlin preformed and promoted,” and that Sanchez’ Dora deal promised her more than $5,000 an episode and compensation in residuals and merchandising.

After negotiations between the parties failed the lawsuit, which the defendant’s attorney claim is “without merit”, was filed.

My take on these suits is always “we’ll see”.

Tags: animation, casting, character voices, commentary, voice actors, voice casting, voice talent, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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Voice Talent & Audio Consultant Dan Lenard

I got a note from John Florian from VoiceOver Xtra! (maybe you did too) that the online pub is hosting a seminar with Dan Lenard in New York City on October 23rd entitled De-Mystifying Audio Recording & Editing.

It will take place at Studios 353, 353 West 48th Street, 2nd Floor in Manhattan from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

There is an early bird discount for those who book by October 15th.

For full details click here.

Tags: commentary, voice over training, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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As of October 4, 2010 my Cincinnati-based agents at Heyman Talent, led by Lynn Heyman, will have new, (and I’m assuming snazzy) digs.

Their old address was:
3308 Brotherton Road
Cincinnati, OH 45209

Lynn has moved them to Heyman Talent’s new address:
700 West Pete Rose Way, Suite 434,
Cincinnati, Ohio 45203

Their phone number and web site did not change

The address and phone number of the Columbus, OH office, led by Thomas McClure, also did not change (but I bet it got called on to help with the move!)

Tags: commentary, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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Voice Over Talent Bill Roberts Brady

Bob Souer found this blog before me (but Bob’s more popular and people tell him stuff) ;).

No matter as a good VO blog is a good VO blog no matter where I found it. And now I am a subscriber.

Tags: blogroll, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover blog by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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