Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, gather ’round for a wild ride through the wacky world of commercial announcer voices! Buckle up, because we’re about to dive into the realm where words become money, and voices become legends. Or at least, that’s what these announcers want you to believe!
What the Heck is a Commercial Announcer Voice, Anyway?
Picture this: You’re peacefully watching your favorite show when suddenly, a voice smoother than butter on a hot pancake interrupts to tell you about a product you never knew you needed. That, my friends, is the elusive commercial announcer voice. It’s like the Sasquatch of the advertising world – everyone’s heard it, but no one’s seen the face behind it!
NATIONAL CAMPAIGNS
Nespresso
Total Wireless "Beth"
Total Wireless "Gary"
Total Wireless "Alice"
Total Wireless "Mitchells"
Experian "Identity" (w/ Tom Kenny)
Experian "Fraud" (w/ Tom Kenny)
Experian "Real" (w/ Tom Kenny)
World of Tanks
Taco Bell
Shoprite "Can It Get Any Hotter?"
Jeep
NeuroSleep Virgin Airlines
Netflix Animation (Tiger)
McDonalds Be The Sizzle TV
Taco Bell
Tony Bennett Viva Duets
Tony Bennett Duets II
Radio Shack Christmas 1
Radio Shack Christmas 2
Ashley Furniture
Ashley Furniture 2
United Healthcare
Hooters "Short Stuff"
Hooters "Velvet Rope"
GEICO - Little Richard
GEICO - Don LaFontaine
GEICO - Joan Rivers
GEICO - The Pips
GEICO - Peter Frampton
GEICO - Mrs. Butterworth
GEICO - Burt Bacharach
GEICO - Charo
GEICO - Mini Me
GEICO - James Lipton
GEICO - Peter Graves
GEICO - Michael Winslow
Characteristics of a Commercial Announcer Voice (Or How to Sound Like You’ve Swallowed a Radio)
- Clarity: They enunciate so well, you’d think they’re afraid of being misunderstood by aliens monitoring our broadcasts.
- Authority: They sound like they could convince you the moon is made of cheese. And you’d believe them!
- Warmth: Just enough to make you feel like you’re being sweet-talked by your favorite uncle… who’s trying to sell you something.
- Engaging Tone: They could read the phone book, and you’d be on the edge of your seat.
The Secret Life of a Commercial Announcer (Spoiler: It’s Not All Glamour)
Ever wondered what these vocal virtuosos do when they’re not telling you about the latest miracle mop? Well, they’re probably practicing how to say “revolutionary” without spitting, or figuring out how to make “terms and conditions apply” sound exciting. It’s a tough job, but somebody’s gotta do it!
The Many Hats of a Commercial Announcer (No, Not Literal Hats… Usually)
- The Information Guru: They cram more facts into 30 seconds than you learned in all of high school.
- The Persuasion Ninja: They could sell ice to an Eskimo… and make them thank them for it!
- The Brand Whisperer: They make you remember product names better than your own phone number.
Commercial Voices in the Wild: A Nature Documentary
- TV Commercials: “Here we see the majestic announcer voice in its natural habitat, effortlessly gliding through a sea of product benefits.
- Radio Ads: “Listen closely as the elusive radio announcer performs its mating call: ‘Call now! Operators are standing by!'”
- Online Video Ads: “Watch as this young announcer voice attempts to capture the attention of easily distracted internet users. A challenging task indeed!”
- In-Store Announcements: “Observe the rarely seen in-store announcer, desperately trying to be heard over the cacophony of screaming children and beeping cash registers.”
How to Become a Commercial Announcer (Or How to Annoy Your Family and Friends)
Think you’ve got what it takes to join the illustrious ranks of commercial announcers? Great! Here’s your step-by-step guide to driving everyone around you crazy:
Vocal Warm-Up Exercises (AKA How to Sound Like You’re Summoning Demons)
Start your day with tongue twisters that would make even the most patient person want to gag you. “She sells seashells by the seashore” is for amateurs. Try “The sixth sick sheikh’s sixth sheep’s sick” ten times fast. If your neighbors don’t call the police thinking you’re performing an exorcism, you’re not doing it right!
Practice with Various Scripts (Because Your Shopping List Isn’t Dramatic Enough)
Turn everyday items into epic sagas. “Behold! The last roll of toilet paper, standing alone against the forces of nature! Will you be the hero to bring it home? Act now, before it’s too late!”
Recording and Reviewing Performances (Or How to Hate the Sound of Your Own Voice)
Record yourself reading the most mundane things possible. The warranty for your toaster? Perfect! The ingredients list on your shampoo bottle? Even better! Then listen back and cringe as you realize you sound nothing like Morgan Freeman.
Seeking Professional Training (Because Your Cat’s Feedback Isn’t Cutting It)
Find a voice coach who can teach you the ancient art of sounding simultaneously excited and bored about everything. Bonus points if they make you do weird mouth exercises in public!
The Hall of Fame: Legendary Voices That Haunt Our Dreams
Let’s pay homage to the voices that have been living rent-free in our heads for years:
Don LaFontaine: The “In a World…” Guy
This man could make your trip to the grocery store sound like an epic adventure. “In a world… where cucumbers are on sale… one man must navigate the treacherous aisles of produce!”
Hal Douglas: The Master of Drama
He could make “Coming Soon to DVD” sound like the most thrilling event in human history. Seriously, this guy could announce paint drying, and you’d be glued to your seat.
Joan Kenley: The Voice That Launched a Thousand Collect Calls
Her soothing tones guided us through the complex world of long-distance charges. She was like the GPS of phone calls before GPS was a thing.
Sam Elliott: The Mustache You Can Hear
His voice is so deep and gravelly, you’d swear he gargles with whiskey and gravel. He doesn’t just narrate commercials; he lassoes them into submission.
Morgan Freeman: The Voice of God (No, Really)
If Morgan Freeman told you to jump off a bridge, you’d probably do it… and somehow float gently to the ground, guided by his soothing narration.
The Magic of Professional Announcers (Or How to Make People Buy Stuff They Don’t Need)
Let’s look at some real-world examples of how these vocal wizards work their magic:
Case Studies (Or “How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Commercials”)
- Old Spice: They turned body wash into a comedic adventure. Suddenly, smelling like your grandpa was cool again!
- Apple: They made rectangles of glass and metal sound like the key to enlightenment. “Behold, the iWidget! It will change the way you… do… things!”
Influencing Consumer Behavior (Or “Jedi Mind Tricks for Advertisers”)
A skilled announcer can make you feel like you’re making a terrible mistake by NOT buying that new kitchen gadget. “Are you really going to continue living without a banana slicer? What would your mother say?”
Return on Investment (ROI) (Or “How to Turn Words into Gold”)
Investing in a professional voice can lead to higher sales, better brand recall, and a sudden inexplicable desire to buy things you never knew existed. It’s like alchemy, but with less lead and more credit card debt!
The Future of Commercial Voices: Brave New World or Robot Apocalypse?
As we hurtle towards the future, what’s in store for our beloved commercial voices? Let’s gaze into our crystal ball (which is suspiciously shaped like a vintage microphone):
The Rise of the Conversational Tone (Or “How to Make Ads Sound Like Your Best Friend… Who’s Trying to Sell You Something”)
Gone are the days of booming voices declaring the greatness of products. Now, it’s all about sounding like the cool kid at school who just happens to know about this amazing new gadget. “Hey, bro, check out this sweet nose hair trimmer. It’ll change your life, dude!”
Diversity in Voices (Because One Accent Doesn’t Fit All)
Advertisers are finally realizing that not everyone sounds like a 1950s radio announcer from the Midwest. Now, you might hear voices from all walks of life, accents from around the globe, and maybe even a few extraterrestrials (hey, it’s a big market out there in the cosmos!).
AI Voices: The Rise of the Machines (But Make It Sexy)
Artificial Intelligence is muscling in on the voice-over game. Soon, you might not be able to tell if that smooth voice telling you about carpet cleaners is human or machine. The upside? AI doesn’t need coffee breaks or complain about tongue twisters.
How to Hire the Perfect Commercial Announcer (Without Losing Your Mind)
So, you’ve decided to join the wild world of commercial production. Congratulations! Here’s how to find the voice of your dreams (or at least, the voice of your product):
Defining Your Brand’s Voice Needs (Or “What Does My Laundry Detergent Sound Like?”)
Close your eyes and imagine your product speaking. Does it sound like a surfer dude? A sophisticated British butler? Your childhood gym teacher? Once you’ve had this existential crisis, you’re ready to move on!
Searching for Talent (Or “How to Stalk Voice Actors Legally”)
Scour the internet for voice talent. Websites like Voices.com and Voice123.com are goldmines. Just remember, listening to hundreds of demos might make you question your sanity. It’s all part of the process!
Auditioning: May the Best Voice Win!
Hold auditions where voice actors read your script about the revolutionary new mop/dog food/whatever. Award points for not laughing at the ridiculous superlatives in your copy.
Collaborating During Recording (Or “How to Direct Without Sounding Like a Crazy Person”)
“No, no, no! I need you to sound more like a excited llama who just discovered the joy of clean carpets!” Welcome to the wonderful world of voice direction. May your patience be endless and your analogies be bizarre.
Conclusion: The Voice Goes On
And there you have it, folks! A journey through the wild, wacky, and occasionally lucrative world of commercial announcer voices. Whether you’re aspiring to be the next voice-over legend or just want to appreciate the art form every time you’re interrupted by a commercial, remember: behind every great product is a voice trying really hard not to laugh at the script.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go practice my “Buy now!” voice. You never know when you’ll need to convince someone they desperately need a combination back scratcher and pizza cutter. Until next time, stay sonorous, my friends!
