Voice Talent Doug Turkel, the UNnouncer

Some folks call them tchotchkes, trinkets, gifts, souvenirs or ad specialties.

They are the presents, usually logoed, that business give to other businesses as a thank you or as a possible long term reminder of a company’s name and brand. Hopefully the gift (pens, hats, flashlights etc.) are useful or at the very least fun.

This came to mind as I was going through my VOICE 2010 bag (yes, I knew I’d get around to it) and saw this gift from UNnouncer Doug Turkel.

The message on the envelope says:

Have you ever needed a surprisingly compact copy stand to use with your mobile recording rig? A minimalist frame to hold that photo you should’ve reconsidered posting on Facebook? Or a convenient place to keep your important list of to-do items front and center?

Yeah, me too. Enjoy.

Creative, different, memorable.

Now you have to go out and think up something for your business? Or do you have an idea you’d like to share with the class?

Tags: advertising, announcers, commentary, marketing, voice 2010, voice actors by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
2 Comments »

Voice Talent Joe Cipriano

Editor’s Note: Having had the pleasure of meeting and briefly speaking with Joe Cipriano for the first time last week at VOICE 2010, I was very happy (and not at all surprised) to hear he has received this award in recognition of his voice over work and his efforts on behalf of the Don LaFontaine Voiceover Lab within the Actors Center at the SAG Foundation offices. Here’s the official announcement from PromaxBDA and Brief Magazine:

PromaxBDA and Brief Magazine are proud to present the 2nd Annual Don LaFontaine Legacy Award to Joe Cipriano. Created collectively by PromaxBDA and Anita LaFontaine to honor the name, memory and defining legacy of one of the world’s most famous voices, the Don LaFontaine Legacy Award recognizes a voice of impact as determined by a specialized industry committee. Through the criteria filter of character, longevity, talent, professionalism and the passion for giving back, this year’s recipient embodies much of Don’s defining legacy.

Joe Cipriano has worked on the air for the NBC, ABC, FOX and CBS Television and Radio networks, and has been the live announcer at high profile events including the Grammy Awards and the Primetime Emmy Awards. Cipriano has more than 20 years of voice talent experience.

He is the co-founder of the newly launched Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab at the SAG Foundation Actors Center. The Lab and all of its programs, dedicated to educating and inspiring young up and coming voice over talent, will be offered free to the public.

Don LaFontaine, whose immediately recognizable voice was featured on more than 5000 promos and trailers over a period of more than 30 years, passed away last year. Cipriano will accept the Award at the 2010 PromaxBDA Promotions and Marketing Awards scheduled for the final night of the three day PromaxBDA Conference.

The Don LaFontaine Legacy Award was introduced for the first time at the 2009 Promax Marketing & Promotion Awards celebration as part of the 54th annual PromaxBDA Conference. The PromaxBDA Awards competition is dedicated to celebrating excellence in marketing, design and creative content in the entertainment industry.

Tags: announcers, CBS Television Network, commentary, commercials, Don LaFontaine, NBC Television Network, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover meet-ups by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
Comments Off on joe cipriano wins 2nd annual don lafontaine legacy award

Moderator John Florian with panelists Peter K. O'Connell, Trish Basanyi, David Kaplan & Doug Turkel

Though I publicly warned him that this might be a bad idea and privately promised he could drop me from his panel at any time in favor of someone who could actually offer some valuable content, John Florian of Voice Over Xtra insists he still wants me to speak at VOICE 2010 in L.A. with him, Doug Turkel, Trish Basanyi, and David Kaplan.

John will also unveil the results of his extensive recent industry survey on how voice actors use the Internet at the beginning of this presentation as well.

Our panel on Friday, June 4th at 11 a.m. is entitled “Voice Actors & The Internet”. I am to talk about voice over marketing and the internet…and I’m supposed to cover that in 10 minutes. Factoring in the raucous ovations I’ll get from the crowd just for being there 😉 , that will leave me with 5 minutes. No sweat.

Point here is if ya ain’t yet made yer reservations for this shindig, the only one of its kind for our industry, you really should come and I mean that seriously, not just because I am a presenter. For networking, education and even business opportunities, you need to attend. You are really missing out, I think, if you don’t come. To register, click here.

Tags: announcers, branding, commentary, marketing, voice actors, voice casting, voice over training, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
7 Comments »

Voice Over Master Don LaFontaine

Most folks in voice over are aware of who Don LaFontaine was and what an enormous impact he had on our industry. He was our public face and best of all our public voice.

Don’s friends and fellow voice talents Joe Cipriano and Paul Pape have been the leaders in establishing the Don LaFontaine Voice-over Lab inside the Screen Actors Guild Foundation. This will create a studio where union talents can attend classes and record free of charge. All this in recognition of Don’s legendary generosity to other voice talents.

I’m not a Union voice actor presently so I can’t use the facility…so why will I financially support it? Why am I asking you, my readers, to do the same?

Because, as Don knew and showed through his actions, it is the right thing to do.

For the full catalog of promotional videos promoting the Don LaFontaine Voice-over Lab inside the Screen Actors Guild Foundation, please visit the always enjoyable blog of George M. Whittam but in the meantime here’s a video of support for the Lab from one of Don’s very satisfied customers, Entertainment Tonight.

Tags: announcers, commentary, Don LaFontaine, video, voice casting, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
4 Comments »

Well, you do if you’re a voice talent and your name is Morgan Freeman, anyway.

Except possibly for bragging rights, I am not sure why CBS News announced the guests it was hosting at Saturday’s annual White House Correspondents Dinner. But their special guest list includes:

– Morgan Freeman
– Julianna Margulies
– Betty White (one week before her SNL hosting gig)
– Chelsea Handler
– Ayla Brown, daughter of Sen. Scott Brown (R-MA)
– Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel
– Attorney General Eric Holder
– HHS Secy. Kathleen Sebelius
– Energy Secy. Steven Chu
– Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA)
– D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty
– Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)

The White House seems to have played its hand as to its preferred network news organization.

Not to point out the obvious, but if they’re inviting announcers for CBS News programs, I think CBS News forgot somebody.

Tags: announcers, CBS News, voice talent, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
Comments Off on voice talents do get invited to the white house correspondents dinner

With the switch to HD, networks and local stations are not only sprucing up their sets (and their talents – make up doesn’t work the way it used to), they are also updating their graphics package.

So Monday, CBS’ Early Show did just that…complete, I’m advised, with a new announcer.

I am open to correction but it sure sounds to me like the lovely and talented Mr. Beau Weaver scored himself another network gig. Sounds great to me.

Tags: announcers, CBS News, CBS Television Network, commentary, voice actors, voice casting, voice talent, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
1 Comment »