THE VOICEOVER EXPRESS INTERVIEW:
“Peter K. O’Connell on Voiceover Longevity, Learning, and the Power of Peer Connection”
Award-winning, American male voiceover talent Peter K. O’Connell
Interviewer: THE VOICEOVER EXPRESS
Guest: Peter K. O’Connell – Award-Winning Voice Actor, Voiceover Coach, and Business Owner
With a career spanning over four decades, American male voice actor Peter K. O’Connell has voiced some of the most recognizable campaigns in North America—from Maaco’s iconic “Uh-Oh, Better Get Maaco” to high-profile work for Duracell, Amazon, Disney, Kraft, and L.L.Bean. Media creatives and audio producers trust him for his voice acting versatility and consistency; voice talents seek out his guidance for both performance and business development.
In this exclusive interview with THE VOICEOVER EXPRESS, Peter draws on his deep well of experience not only as a working voice talent, but also as a small business owner and voiceover coach.
He offers thoughtful insights on the state of the industry, shares why WoVOCon – the Voiceover Unconference, remains a standout event for experienced voiceover professionals, and Peter also reflects on what’s helped him—and many of his students—sustain and grow.
The Voiceover Express:
Peter, it’s always a pleasure. Let’s get right to it given your decades in the voiceover industry—what’s the number one question you get from fellow voice actors?
Peter K. O’Connell:
No contest—it’s “How do I grow my voiceover business?” Right behind that is “How do I land more voiceover jobs?” And, of course, “What’s the best voiceover microphone?”
The Voiceover Express:
Classic questions—and all very real. But your answer is what really stands out. How do you typically respond?
Peter K. O’Connell:
For the past year, my answer has been simple and consistent: Go to WoVOCon—the Voiceover Unconference—and get real answers to those questions, plus the ones you didn’t even know to ask.
The Voiceover Express:
That’s a smart pivot—pointing professionals toward a resource instead of giving a one-size-fits-all reply. So tell us about your experience at WoVOCon.
Peter K. O’Connell:
I first went to WoVOCon in Chicago in 2024, and it helped me in all facets of my voiceover business. It wasn’t just useful—it was transformative.
The Voiceover Express:
That’s saying something. For those not familiar, can you break down what makes WoVOCon so valuable?
Peter K. O’Connell:
Voiceover Talents Natalie Stanfield, George Washington, III, Mike McGonegal and Peter K. O’Connell at WoVOCon – the Voiceover Unconference in Chicago, 2024
Absolutely. WoVOCon the Voiceover Unconference, is produced by World-Voices Organization (I’m a dues-paying WOVO member and Unconference volunteer). WoVOCon is a peer-to-peer event—meaning the attendees are the presenters. And attendees (who are all members of WOVO) are vetted, working voiceover professionals. They share everything from performance techniques to business strategies and tech workflows. It’s not about somebody pitching or selling services, nothing is ala carte—WoVOCon is about genuine knowledge and sharing of professional voiceover experiences by people who pay their mortgages via voiceover. What you learn at WoVOCon is practical and applicable to your voiceover business right now.
The Voiceover Express:
Incredible. And I love that it’s peer-led. That adds an extra layer of authenticity. What’s the vibe like?
Peter K. O’Connell:
It’s intimate, which is one of its biggest strengths. Attendance is capped at 125 people, so you really get to know folks. And to a person, they’re there to learn and help others grow. It’s a deeply collaborative, voiceover-centric environment.
The Voiceover Express:
That’s refreshing in an industry filled with noise. You also make a compelling case for why every VO professional, especially small studio owners, should attend. Care to expand?
Peter K. O’Connell:
Sure. If you’re a voiceover talent, you’re also a small business owner. And WoVOCon is where practical voiceover training, real industry insights, and meaningful networking happen. You’re not listening to abstract advice—you’re hearing from people who’ve done the thing. You learn from everyone. The only downside? WoVOCon only happens once a year.
The Voiceover Express:
Now that’s the kind of conference we all want—limited, high-quality, and packed with value. When and where is the next one?
Peter K. O’Connell:
This year’s WoVOCon will be held in New Orleans, October 17–19, at the Embassy Suites by Hilton. I’ve got my reservation—I’ll be there. And if growing your client base, sharpening your skills, and mastering the voiceover business matter to you… there’s nowhere better to be.
The Voiceover Express:
Peter, the way you break that down makes it clear why WoVOCon is such a strong recommendation. But you’ve been walking the walk (or more like talking the talk -voiceover humor) in this industry for a long time. For those who may not be familiar—can you take us through your background and career?
The Voiceover Express:
Sure. I’ve been in the voiceover industry for over 40 years now, working as a voice actor and live announcer. Along the way, I’ve been fortunate to build a career that blends versatility, personality, and professionalism—those are the pillars I’ve always tried to stand on. I’ve come to be known in the industry as “Your Friendly, Neighborhood Voiceover Talent,” and I think that pretty well reflects both my approach to the work and the relationships I build with clients.
The Voiceover Express:
That nickname says a lot—it’s accessible but also polished, which feels true to your work. What types of voiceover projects have defined your career?
Peter K. O’Connell:
A small sample of brands who have featured voice actor Peter K. O’Connell
There’s been a great mix. I’ve done national and regional commercial campaigns, non-broadcast narration, and live event announcing. Over time, that variety really helped me stay creatively fresh. One of the more recognizable spots I was part of was Maaco’s iconic “Uh-Oh, Better Get Maaco” campaign. That “everyman” voice really connected with people. On the other end of the spectrum, I’ve done high-energy character work like Crest’s “Pro-Active Defense” ad and brought a warm, relatable tone to L.L.Bean’s “Be An Outsider” campaign.
The Voiceover Express:
That’s a wide range—from friendly guy-next-door to animated character actor. What other brand work has stood out to you?
Peter K. O’Connell:
I’ve voiced campaigns for companies like Duracell, Ford Dealers, and Novartis. Kraft Dinner’s “Pony and Jockey” campaign in Canada was especially fun—it was full of quirky charm. I’ve also voiced content for iHeart Radio, and I’ve handled narration for brands like Amazon Web Services, Deloitte Canada, IBM, General Electric, Tic Tac, and Disney.
The Voiceover Express:
That’s a who’s who of major clients. It seems like narration has become a big part of your portfolio, too?
Peter K. O’Connell:
Definitely. I do a lot of narration work now—explainer videos, eLearning, and corporate storytelling. Whether I’m voicing a whimsical character like a scarecrow for AWS or guiding viewers through something more reverent, like the U.S. Army’s history in Fort Huachuca: An Enduring National Treasure, I always focus on clarity, warmth, and pacing. You’re telling a story—whether it’s 30 seconds or 30 minutes.
The Voiceover Express:
We noted when doing our research for this interview, you’re also a trusted guide for others in the voice acting industry. Let’s talk about The Voiceover Workshop. What inspired you to start coaching?
Peter K. O’Connell:
Honestly, coaching wasn’t part of some grand plan. I just started helping folks because they asked. I’ve been a full-time working voiceover talent for over 40 years—and somewhere along the way, other voice actors began asking me questions. “How do I improve my reads?” “How do I find clients?” “Why isn’t this demo working?” That’s how The Voiceover Workshop came to be, almost 20 years ago now.
Information about male voice talent Peter K. O’Connell’s Voiceover Workshop- VOWorkshop.com
The Voiceover Express:
And now you’re known as the “Voiceover Consigliere,” which we love. What kind of approach do you take in your coaching?
Peter K. O’Connell:
That nickname kind of stuck—probably because it’s more fun than “counselor,” but that’s really what I try to be: someone who helps you get where you want to go. I’m not a professional VO teacher (and there are MANY great ones), I don’t run group classes or focus on a formal syllabus. Every session with me is one-on-one, tailored specifically to what the voice talent wants to focus on—whether it’s script interpretation, narration technique, character voices, demo feedback, or the business and marketing side of things.
The Voiceover Express:
That sounds incredibly practical and personal—especially for an industry where so many people feel like they’re navigating alone.
Peter K. O’Connell:
I believe in practical, actionable help. Every voice talent has different goals, so every session should reflect that. We meet virtually—usually via Zoom or Teams—and we dive deep into whatever matters most to them. It’s been amazing to work with voice actors from all over the world, at every experience level.
The Voiceover Express:
And judging by the feedback from your students, it’s clearly making an impact.
Peter K. O’Connell:
I’m grateful for that. I think the most meaningful part is hearing how something we worked on helped someone land a client or gain confidence in their reads or reframe how they run their business. That’s what matters.
The Voiceover Express:
Peter, your career truly reflects the depth and range that many voice actors aspire to. Thanks for pulling back the curtain and sharing both your insights and experience with us today.
Peter K. O’Connell:
My pleasure. Thanks for having me.
For more information about WoVOCon, visit WOVOCON.com.
Producers can reach out to Peter K. O’Connell directly to discuss voiceover needs—from commercials and narration to live announcing at peterkoconnell.com.
For voice talents ready to grow, refocus, or finally get started the right way…visit voworkshop.com to learn more about The Voiceover Workshop, see testimonials, and schedule your one-on-one session with Peter.
