OK, so I’m a nut for logos. Some people like wine, some people like tropical fish. Me, I’m a logo guy. It’s addictive, I suppose but not in a 12-step sorta way.

So when I came across a story about the about Sochi in Russia getting the 2014 Olympic Games, I went to their web site and immediately had a reaction to their logo (as I have had to other Olympic logos though I will not reference that article here lest it interfere with a poll I am about to have YOU partake in).

So above you will see logos from the upcoming Olympic games in Beijing, Vancouver, London and Sochi.

Here are your questions that you must (I’m a demanding little stinker, ain’t i?) answer in the comment section:

• Which logo do you like the most?
• Why do you like that logo so much?
• Optional question: which logo do you dislike the most?
• Optional question: why do you dislike that logo so much?

Tags: advertising, commentary, logo design, marketing, media by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
6 Comments »

"For those who understand, no answer is necessary. For those who do not understand, no answer will suffice."

Upon my entrance into fatherhood in October ’05, I understood that life for me would change. Among the many changes would be my tailspin out of the cultural mainstream (to which I’d been relegated to 2nd tier status for sometime prior to my daughter’s birth anyway).

The man (me) who encyclopedic knowledge of trivial facts of the 80’s, 90’s and early "ought’s" (00) had taken him to near mythical like status at cocktail parties and social gatherings (in my dreams) now would be "out of it". I was a father now, and that is the title we are given by our children. It’s "like" a badge of honor.

This leads me to a little You Tubing I did this evening. How I came across Bon Jovi’s video for his 2005 song "Who Says You Can’t Go Home" I can’t remember but I really liked the song as soon as I heard it.

Videos, I thought to myself, they still make music videos? You see, I have neither the time nor inclination to chase down music videos because, well, I am "out of it".

If you can’t recall the song or the video (which, likely makes you a parent too) here’s the video here; I really like the way the producers cut it together.

Now if you know anything about You Tube, you know they’ve practically perfected the"if you liked this, you’ll also like this" selections which are from a similar artist or theme of the video you just watched.

It was from this row of options that I came across a so-called Director’s Cut of the video which I thought was a total spoof, or film student’s version UNTIL about the middle of the video as you’ll see here:

Then while I was recovering from the quasi logic assault of THAT video (when you’re "out of it" your senses feel more assaulted than they used to), another version of the video was offered up as a selection on You Tube.

I have no idea if this was as popular a version as Bon Jovi’s original (maybe on the country charts), featuring a singer, Jennifer Nettles from (what I assume is a country band) Sugarland but Good Lord what a PERFECT (stunningly wonderful) vocal match for Jon Bon Jovi voice….and her presence with Bon Jovi is clearly established. For all I know ("out of it") she may be a huge superstar…she likely should be. One word: wow!

Watch it here. The record company wouldn’t let me embed the clip.

So all these fascinating things are happening around me and I’m catchin up about a year or two late.

But my daughter’s more interesting anyway. And by the end of February I’ll have doubled the fun with the pending arrival of baby O’Connell #2. Just think how "out of it" (and amazingly happy to be so) I’ll be by then.

P.S. My thanks to Mitch Joel and his recent post about his introduction into writing a blog via Windows Live Writer. This was my first post writing with it (not that you would or should notice any difference) but it is a great tool.

Tags: blogs, commentary, media, radio, silliness, tv by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
2 Comments »

It’s true, many of us surf the net with no real purpose. One link begets another begets another and so on. The fun part of this blog today is that I can actually remember HOW I got to the link I am about to share with you (even though I didn’t start my surfing with any desire to find an idea for a blog post).

I started at Bob Souer’s blog, whose voice over blog is pretty much read by all in the biz (mine, on the other hand, is read by my wife and now you…but you only found this by mistake I’m nearly sure). Bob was kind enough to write up and link to a post I had late last week. I posted a couple of comments on Bob’s blog and then fished around his site’s links where I noticed the Voice Chasers site. Among other things, it has a forum or bulletin board for people to talk about all things voiceover.

Well, the Voice Chaser’s forum looked pretty quiet except for the news page (thank you Kristy Sproul) which carried a story and a link from ASIFA Hollywood. A member found an old recording of a speech legendary Warner Brother’s character voice actor Mel Blanc gave to the 1966 Annual Awards Luncheon of the Station Representatives Association (no, I don’t really know what that group is either). At any rate, it’s a funny account of the state of advertising from Blanc, who also owned a production company that did commercials.

Note how little the advertising and marketing business has really changed in 41 years!

Tags: advertising, announcers, blogs, character voices, commentary, commercials, marketing, media, voice actors, voice talent, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
Comments Off on surfing for a little gold on a sunday afternoon

A great blog design without good writing is like a bubble gum comic….it’s a passable idea but who cares?

Likewise, good blog writing is meaningless if it’s presented within a wishy-washy design.

And if you want to highlight your podcast, then all of that becomes a bit more complicated.

Well today Mitch Joel of Twist Image unveiled his new design and rebranded Six Pixels of Separation Blog and Podcast site.

If his company uses just this site as its design-content-web functionality calling card…Twist Image may not have actually write many more new business marketing/advertising/podcasting/public relations proposals. You can see it from the first page.

And he writes well.

THAT’S how its done, folks. Take note.

BTW, I’d be remiss if I didn’t direct you to Mitch’s recent podcast on the Toronto Geek Dinner, which I wrote about recently. Listen to the interviews (not because I’m on it) but for the various opinions and uses for blogging and podcasting….totally unique perspectives unedited and rolling live from people all using the same tools. And a great steak dinner, I might add.

Tags: advertising, blogs, commentary, internet, marketing, media, podcasting, technology by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
2 Comments »

The internet is a great resource for information that really doesn’t exist anywhere else. This is especially helpful when someone like me comes across an idea that needs to be quickly researched. 9 times out of 10, I find what I’m looking for on the web, because the internet has proven to me that the things that I’ve found interesting in my life that I thought only interested me actually were and are of interest to a great many people. I think that kind of personal epiphany has occurred across the globe, which gave rise to the social media phenomenon that has grown so rapidly.

Today I was thinking about Johnny Olsen. Anyone born after the early 80’s will probably have no idea of whom I am speaking. Johnny Olsen was a professional announcer on many game shows but is most famously associated with The Price Is Right hosted by Bob Barker. For me Johnny Olsen has some of the greatest voices for his genre: game shows. The announcer is sooo critical to the pace, excitement level and overall success of that show. He sets the stage for the mood of that show and boy did Johnny do that.

Johnny Olsen took simple phrases and made them television tipping points:

“Come on down!”

“A new car!”

Sadly, Johnny Olsen died in 1985 and I believe The Price Is Right employed 3-4 other announcers before Bob Barker retired (including Buffalo radio legend Rod Roddy ). Enjoy these clips from one of Johnny’s last shows and listen to one of the greats at work.

Thanks Johnny, someday I hope to be as good as you.

Tags: announcers, commentary, commercials, media, radio, tv, voice talent, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
2 Comments »

Some of the more market savvy of readers of this blog (you know that’s you, not those “other” readers ((sarcasm dripping))) have likely come across Seth Godin’s blog which is creatively entitled “Seth Godin’s Blog.”

Seth has written a number of fairly successful marketing books and I enjoy his daily insights into our world and how we all market within it.

As a published author, Seth has a unique perspective allowing him to wax philosophically (and with a degree of “been there done that” credibility) about audio books and their value in the marketplace. As a voice talent / voice actor who narrates audio books on occasion (when I’m not waxing floors), I’d really like to see the audio book industry shaken up a bit too (only for the good).

Some of the most recent books I’ve enjoyed have been audio books, experienced primarily on long car rides. For those folks with interminable commutes, audio books can be a great educational tool or getaway…all the while not ruining your eyes or wrecking your car.

But the expense and the dearth of titles have not allowed the genre to flourish. Seth’s idea may help that situation. At the very least, let’s hope it starts a discussion.

Tags: audio books, blogs, commentary, marketing, media, narrations, technology, voice actors, voice talent, voiceover by peter k. o'connell, your friendly, neighborhood voice-over talent
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