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Some projects land in your inbox with a little bit of magic attached. When AAA Western and Central New York reached out about voicing a pair of marketing videos for Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line travel packages, it felt like one of those perfect-timing moments.

Here’s the thing about Disney: the brand carries weight (imagine in your mind me saying “weight” with a bold, underlined, italicized emphasis) 😀  As just one examples Interbrand Best Global Brands 2024 Top 20 puts Disney at #6 overall with only Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Google and Samsung ahead of them. Yes, all 6 are financially large companies.

But among all of them, people have real emotional connections to all things Disney—whether it’s a family planning their first trip to Walt Disney World or empty nesters finally booking that Disney Cruise they’ve been talking about for years. The voice in these videos has to honor aaaaaaalllll that — without overselling it. It needs to feel genuine, like you’re talking to someone about something you actually believe in.

What the Work Required

The project consisted of two videos, each with its own focus. One was about the travel options available when planning a Walt Disney World vacation through AAA—the logistics, the packages, the details that make a big trip manageable. The other highlighted booking a Disney Cruise through Triple-A, where having someone who knows what they’re doing can make all the difference.

Both scripts needed a voice that felt real. Too much enthusiasm in the voiceover and it sounds fake. Not enough and the voice talent loses what makes these trips special in the first place. The sweet spot for me as the narrator was somewhere in between—excited but believable, helpful without being pushy.

Not so much Mark Elliott – the infamous  and incomparable voice of so many classic Disney movie trailers – but maybe like a distant cousin….twice removed (in other words, I could never sound as great as – or even like – Mark but in my head, that’s what I was kind of shooting for. The client was happy, so I guess I got close enough.

The Relationship Behind the Work

Matt Steinberg and I have known each other professionally for years, but this particular project came about in one of those “right place, right time” moments. He wasn’t actively thinking about voice talent for these upcoming Disney productions for AAA —until my newsletter happened to land in his inbox right when he needed someone. Lucky timing on my part.

That’s how a lot of work comes together in this business. You stay in touch with people, you show up when you say you will, and sometimes the stars align. Matt, who is the amazingly talented Senior Designer – Travel for AAA Western and Central New York, was kind enough to share his thoughts after we wrapped production on these widely viewed videos:

“I recently worked with Peter on voiceovers for two Disney travel videos for AAA. He understood the tone and style I was looking for immediately, and knocked both reads out of the park. Peter is very easy to work with, he delivers right on schedule, and the results are always terrific. Hire Peter – you’ll be glad you did!”

That kind of feedback from someone I’ve known over the years really matters. It reminds me that the repeat work comes from understanding what someone needs, asking thoughtful questions and delivering it consistently.

Why This Work Matters

I’ve always enjoyed voicing content that’s connected to real experiences—trips people are actually going to take, memories they’re going to make. Disney trips are a big deal for families. There’s planning involved, money being spent, expectations running high. Being the voice that helps people feel confident about taking that step is something I take seriously.

Working with Matt and his team at AAA on these Disney videos was a pleasure, and I think the clips capture Matt’s smart vision: the excitement of the destination without losing sight of the practical (and really helpful) side of getting there.

See the videos produced by AAA Western and Central New York for members traveling to Walt Disney World and on Disney Cruise Line below:

Tags: commentary, marketing, testimonials by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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There’s something special about working with a team that trusts you to help expand their creative vision across an entire national radio network. That’s exactly what happened when iHeartMedia reached out for a series of promotional spots for their podcast lineup.

The project?

National promos that would run across iHeartMedia’s network of hundreds of radio stations and media outlets in markets nationwide, both introducing new podcasts to new audiences as well as expanding the audience of already-successful shows like “The Ridiculous History Podcast.” The challenge was bringing fresh energy to each script to draw in listeners who hadn’t discovered them yet.

What the Work Required

iHeartMedia needed versatility. Each podcast had its own established personality, and the promos needed to honor that while creating something that would stop scrollers and channel-surfers in their tracks. For “The Ridiculous History Podcast” specifically, the tone had to walk that line between intriguing and entertaining—serious enough to establish credibility, but with the spark of curiosity that makes you want to hit subscribe.
The timeline was tight, and precision mattered. When you’re creating content for a national network, there’s no room for “close enough.”

What It Means to Earn Trust

When you get the opportunity to work with a creative director at the level of Andy West—someone who’s shaping the sound of a national media company—you don’t take it lightly. These are the kinds of partnerships that remind you why you got into voiceover in the first place. It’s not just about delivering files; it’s about understanding the vision, respecting the deadline, and bringing genuine enthusiasm to every read.

Andy West, the National Creative/Imaging Director at iHeartMedia | TheStudio, was kind enough to share his perspective on working together:

“Peter’s enthusiasm for what he does really shines through, and that’s what makes him so great to work with. Not only is he versatile in his vocal range, but he actually wants to get it right for the client. Every project we’ve done together is always a pleasure because of his speed and attention to detail. Peter is that rare find in the voiceover world!”

That feedback means everything. It’s a reminder that showing up with energy, focus, and a genuine commitment to getting it right matters just as much as my voice alone. Clients notice and appreciate when I am pro-actively engaged in their project – and I always have been for decades.

Why This Work Matters
When a major network like iHeartMedia trusts you to be the voice that introduces their content to potential new listeners across hundreds of stations nationwide, it’s both humbling and energizing. The “Ridiculous History Podcast” promo you’ll hear in the video showcases that balance: engaging, curious, and just the right amount of dramatic flair to make you think, “Wait, what? I need to know more about that.”

Working with creative professionals like Andy and the team at iHeartMedia TheStudio is what makes voiceover industry rewarding. They know what they want, they communicate clearly, and together we create something that connects.

Tags: commentary, marketing, testimonials by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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I’m not much of a cable news watcher but I loves me some new logos.

So Comcast is selling off MSNBC (which was a cable news venture NBC News kicked off decades ago with Microsoft – hence the MS) that has always pretty much been an also ran news network to CNN and certainly Fox News — which has been / is a ratings juggernaut in that particular space.

With the new owners must come a new name because the cable news network does not get to keep the Peacock after the sale.

So let’s see what they’ve done.

From a name perspective, they are changing it to MS NOW (with a space, as opposed to MSNBC, no space).

The MS is now supposed to stand for “My Source”. The NOW is supposed to stand for “News, Opinion, World”.

In other words “My Source (for) News, Opinion (and the) World”. Um…ok.

They can try as hard as they want to promote the brand meaning with all those words – I don’t think it will go especially well, no one will care.

But overall, the NAME change from MSNBC to MS NOW I think is pretty good. The new name plays well off the old, established name…news consumers and I think a good chunk of the American public have some understanding of what MSNBC is…so calling the new channel MS NOW could actually transition well.

I grade A- on the name change (regardless of the supposed meaning), with a lesser grade due to the loss of the iconic peacock.

On to the MS NOW icon. What the hell is it?

A flag? A quasi-American flag? Did somebody in the graphics department start playing with the shape tool in PowerPoint??

You had all this time and THIS was your best effort?

It’s bad. It lacks creativity. It lacks…everything.

I grade it an F as in what the F.

As I recall, the MSNBC people used to change their logo once every other year or so. I’m guessing in another 12 months, someone will get around to hiring a professional designer to give that logo some polish…or actually, to give that network an actual darn logo.

Tags: commentary, logo design, marketing by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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THUS, WHEREIN, THEREFORE AND SO ON AND SO ON I, Peter K. O’Connell, issue the following voiceover podcast decree…and you all shall abide by it, tho I’ve no way to prove your abidance (got all that?)

WHEREAS I have been a guest on many a voiceover podcasts over the decades…

WHEREAS I used to have a podcast with the voxmarketising brand but found it much too much a pain in the ass to record, edit, produce and publish because I art lazieth…

WHEREAS the organization within my blog of my past podcast appearances have been anything BUT organized because (see:lazieth)

THEREFORE, I being far from sound (and more likely questionable) mind but of fun and amiable spirit, as America’s Friendly, Neighborhood Voiceover Talent I Peter K. O’Connell do decree and therefore press into law – as not really commanded by God and/or by Country – the establishment of the VOICEOVER PODCAST HALL OF FAME, as of right now, whenever you happen to be reading this. Forever and ever, amen.

The very strict criteria for entrance into this VOICEOVER PODCAST HALL OF FAME (if you type the name in all caps it’s more official-like)…anyway the way you get in is having had me on the podcast.

In essence, these are all the podcasts that I have guested on (that I can recall).

Here are the VOICEOVER PODCAST HALL OF FAME presented by Peter K. O’Connell inductees thus far….

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Podcast Title:
ASK ME ANYTHING PODCAST–
Guest:
Voiceover Workshop’s Peter K. O’Connell
Host: 
Tom Dheere
Original Air Date:
September 2023

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Podcast Title:
GUYS WHO DO STUFF PODCAST–
Guest:
National Voiceover Talent Peter K. O’Connell
Host(s): 
Joe Woolworth & Josh Manning
Original Air Date:
July 2019

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Podcast Title:
VOICE OVER BODY SHOP–
Guest:
National Voiceover Talent Peter K. O’Connell
Host(s): 
Dan Lenard & George Whittam
Original Air Date:
March 2016

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Podcast Title:
MIKE LENZ PODCAST – A JOURNEY INTO VOICE ACTING –
Guest:
Voiceover Talent Peter K. O’Connell
Host:
Mike Lenz
Original Air Date:
August 2015

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Podcast Title:
VOICE OVER CAFE  – From FaffCon 6 in San Antonio
Guest Host:
Voice Talent Peter K. O’Connell
Host(s):
Peter Bishop, Trish Basanyi, Terry Daniel, Sean Caldwell & Jordan Reynolds
Original Air Date:
October 2013

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Podcast Title:
THE 3 AMIVOS PODCAST –
Guest:
Voiceover Talent Peter K. O’Connell
Host(s):
Garnet Williams, Dave McRae, Mike Pongracz
Original Air Date:
June 2013

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Podcast Title:
EAST WEST AUDIO BODY SHOP –
Guest:
Voiceover Talent Peter K. O’Connell
Host(s):
Dan Lenard & George Whittam
Original Air Date:
October 2011

Tags: commentary, peter o'connell, podcast, podcast episodes, podcast guest by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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The question I get asked the most by fellow voice actors: How do you grow your voiceover business?

Right behind that: How do I land more voiceover jobs?

And of course: What’s the best voiceover microphone?

Here’s been my answer for the past year—go to WoVOCon The Voiceover Unconference and get real answers to those questions, plus the ones you didn’t even know to ask.

I went to WoVOCon in Chicago in 2024, and it helped me in all facets of my voiceover business.

WoVOCon – the Voiceover Unconference, produced by World-Voices, is a peer-to-peer voiceover conference built for professional voiceover talent. The attendees are the presenters—working VO pros who’ve built careers in voice acting, voiceover performance, business, and tech.

It’s also intimate, capping out at 125 attendees…so you WILL get to know a lot of people quickly. To a person, they are all at WoVOCon to share knowledge and learn, not sell anything.

Yes, voiceover talent reading this—you, the small business owner of your own VO studio—this is where practical voiceover training, industry insights, and next-level connections actually happen.

The upside? You learn from everyone. The downside? It only happens once a year.

This year it will be held in New Orleans, October 17-19 at The Embassy Suites by Hilton.

Nope, I don’t make a cent from promoting WoVOCon. I just believe in it.

I’ve got my reservation. I’ll be there. You should be too—and if growing your client base, improving your skills, and mastering the voiceover industry matter to you, there’s nowhere better to be.

Tags: commentary, voice over training, voice over workshop, voice talent, voiceover, voiceover advice, WOVOCON by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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YouTube is both enjoyable and annoying.

And I would like more subscribers.

I like watching the stuff I like to watch on YouTube but I find it annoying that I constantly have to feed the beast with content for my channel.

See, I don’t like going on camera (that goes for all social media – which, based on likes, seems to prefer when I show a picture of myself doing something rather than any other content I post).

Making videos that I think are worth posting takes time and I am too lazy to teach myself all the tricks…I am a visual learner so I need a tutor which I won’t be getting.

Yet to be a success on YouTube, it helps if you have many subscribers.

You get subscribers by posting content which leads to more subscribers and on.

So I am trying this the lazy way. I’m asking for people to subscribe.

I can’t determine if it’s more desperate or embarrassing or if I can even tell the difference at this point. 🙂

But I also think it’s funny. I’m sounding needy by the ask and yet I don’t feel needy because, if it was REALLY important to me, I’d play the full game of creating a ton more content vs. what I do now – supply content when it comes up organically.

So anyway, if you have not yet subscribed, I hope you will and I will try and keep all my content interesting for you.

Tags: commentary, youtube by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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