Comments on: One in a million or just another one? http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/ Posts about life and assorted other ramblings now and then Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:51:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bob http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9792 Bob Sat, 12 Sep 2009 13:36:14 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9792 Veronica, Very well said. And the cool thing is, they do look beyond. Not all the time, but so what? Some bright folks are looking outside the top 2 markets for their talent and they are finding us. Good for you, Veronica! Be well, Bob Veronica,

Very well said. And the cool thing is, they do look beyond. Not all the time, but so what? Some bright folks are looking outside the top 2 markets for their talent and they are finding us.

Good for you, Veronica!

Be well,
Bob

]]> By: Veronica March http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9788 Veronica March Sat, 12 Sep 2009 07:16:45 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9788 Lunching with a Sr. TV Producer from a top U.S. ad agency, I was expressing my desire to build my VO footprint nationally while maintaining residence in Minneapolis. He said, "You are competing with thousands of VO talent in LA and NY- writers and producers can choose from an endless pool of talent right under their noses." I responded confidently, "But they don't have MY voice unless they look beyond." Just as Bob is "the world’s exclusive source for voiceovers by Bob Souer", so too am I the world's exclusive source for VO by Veronica March. I'm counting on the right people looking beyond to find that source. VM Lunching with a Sr. TV Producer from a top U.S. ad agency, I was expressing my desire to build my VO footprint nationally while maintaining residence in Minneapolis. He said, “You are competing with thousands of VO talent in LA and NY- writers and producers can choose from an endless pool of talent right under their noses.” I responded confidently, “But they don’t have MY voice unless they look beyond.”
Just as Bob is “the world’s exclusive source for voiceovers by Bob Souer”, so too am I the world’s exclusive source for VO by Veronica March.
I’m counting on the right people looking beyond to find that source.
VM

]]> By: Blaine Parker http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9727 Blaine Parker Fri, 28 Aug 2009 21:40:27 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9727 Nice to see one inane ramble slapped together in a caffeine-fueled stupor can elicit so much excellent and thoughtful response. Nancy, thank you for your kind words. As one of your biggest fans, I'm glad to have you in my corner. “Nobody ever got into trouble for hiring J.S. Gilbert.” I love that. It's an anti-brand. I think you need to use that. "...there are many applications but one essence. That, to me, is where the brand lives and has its being." Elegantly put. And Bob, thanks once again for deeming my work worthy of reposting, as well as for having a place where the smart VO people gather. Cheers, bp Nice to see one inane ramble slapped together in a caffeine-fueled stupor can elicit so much excellent and thoughtful response.

Nancy, thank you for your kind words. As one of your biggest fans, I’m glad to have you in my corner.

“Nobody ever got into trouble for hiring J.S. Gilbert.” I love that. It’s an anti-brand. I think you need to use that.

“…there are many applications but one essence. That, to me, is where the brand lives and has its being.” Elegantly put.

And Bob, thanks once again for deeming my work worthy of reposting, as well as for having a place where the smart VO people gather.

Cheers,

bp

]]> By: Debbe Hirata http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9726 Debbe Hirata Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:28:04 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9726 Have enjoyed all the comments ... branding seems to come from the essence of that which is branded, be it popcorn, a cell phone company or a voice over talent. That essence is always present, in every crunch of popcorn, in every phone call and in every voice over. The point is, there are many applications but one essence. That, to me, is where the brand lives and has its being. Have enjoyed all the comments … branding seems to come from the essence of that which is branded, be it popcorn, a cell phone company or a voice over talent. That essence is always present, in every crunch of popcorn, in every phone call and in every voice over. The point is, there are many applications but one essence. That, to me, is where the brand lives and has its being.

]]> By: Bob http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9724 Bob Fri, 28 Aug 2009 02:42:51 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9724 Craig, No question, it's much easier to hit your target when you limit yourself to just one target ... and you aim at it ... and practice until you are consistent at hitting it. Be well, Bob Craig,

No question, it’s much easier to hit your target when you limit yourself to just one target … and you aim at it … and practice until you are consistent at hitting it.

Be well,
Bob

]]> By: Craig Crumpton http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9722 Craig Crumpton Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:08:40 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9722 Funny, whenever I hear the word "branding" I get the painful image of cattle being singed with the business end of a hot steel rod. And sometimes a brand can be a stereotype, which can cause one not to get booked for projects if one is identified with a specific type of voice work -- just like Don LaFontaine had to remarket himself when he got pigeonholed strictly as the "the movie trailer guy" because the market had become oversaturated with that type trailer voice. I've been in VO workshops with promo announcers and commercial VO people who want to be cartoon voice actors, and with vocal mimics who think that they can break into the industry by doing celebrity soundalikes. Then there's VO people like me who seem to have a broad range and variety of styles and thus have a hard time focusing on a specific market and end up spreading myself too thin and sometimes offering the wrong type reads for auditions because he neglected his training and instruction. It's nice to have reminders like this to pause and refocus on what's most important and what's genuinely and uniquely me. Thanks for reposting, Bob, and to Blaine for such well-spoken words. - Craig Funny, whenever I hear the word “branding” I get the painful image of cattle being singed with the business end of a hot steel rod.

And sometimes a brand can be a stereotype, which can cause one not to get booked for projects if one is identified with a specific type of voice work — just like Don LaFontaine had to remarket himself when he got pigeonholed strictly as the “the movie trailer guy” because the market had become oversaturated with that type trailer voice.

I’ve been in VO workshops with promo announcers and commercial VO people who want to be cartoon voice actors, and with vocal mimics who think that they can break into the industry by doing celebrity soundalikes. Then there’s VO people like me who seem to have a broad range and variety of styles and thus have a hard time focusing on a specific market and end up spreading myself too thin and sometimes offering the wrong type reads for auditions because he neglected his training and instruction.

It’s nice to have reminders like this to pause and refocus on what’s most important and what’s genuinely and uniquely me. Thanks for reposting, Bob, and to Blaine for such well-spoken words.

- Craig

]]> By: Michael Rankins http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9719 Michael Rankins Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:44:19 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9719 Guy Fieri lives right in my neck of the woods. While I don't know him personally (I've seen him around town, and have dined at his restaurants), we have mutual acquaintances. All of whom will attest that Guy -- love him or don't -- is pretty much in everyday person as you see him on TV. Thanks for sharing Blaine's article, Bob! Michael Guy Fieri lives right in my neck of the woods. While I don’t know him personally (I’ve seen him around town, and have dined at his restaurants), we have mutual acquaintances. All of whom will attest that Guy — love him or don’t — is pretty much in everyday person as you see him on TV.

Thanks for sharing Blaine’s article, Bob!

Michael

]]> By: Nancy Wolfson http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9718 Nancy Wolfson Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:42:27 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9718 I never get deep into branding folks until AFTER their skills are solidly in place. No point in packaging something to take to market until there’s something well worth packaging and selling. What was such a delight about branding both Blaine and Bob is that they worked relentlessly to enhance their “goods,” making our marketing effort on them fun, effective, and honest. I never get deep into branding folks until AFTER their skills are solidly in place. No point in packaging something to take to market until there’s something well worth packaging and selling. What was such a delight about branding both Blaine and Bob is that they worked relentlessly to enhance their “goods,” making our marketing effort on them fun, effective, and honest.

]]> By: Bob http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9715 Bob Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:26:48 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9715 J.S., I always enjoy hearing from you. I quite agree that a brand is no substitute for excellence and being able to deliver the goods when the mic is on. Be well, Bob J.S.,

I always enjoy hearing from you. I quite agree that a brand is no substitute for excellence and being able to deliver the goods when the mic is on.

Be well,
Bob

]]> By: J.S. Gilbert http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9712 J.S. Gilbert Thu, 27 Aug 2009 16:48:13 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9712 Point by point, I won't disagree with what's said in this article and as someone who attends dozens of conventions, workshops and meetings per year dedicated to "branding", my thought is that "branding" can and often tends to become a catch phrase, by which businesses and individuals become overly concerned with graphics, fonts, colors, packaging and tag lines. To quote Starkist, "Starkist wants tunas that taste good." For every Guy Fieri out there, there's hundreds if not thousands of other "Guy" wannabe's. It's one thing to be "the real deal", but if they're not buying your real deal, then what do you do? Guy is genuinely entertaining. I watched him progress through the Food network Star show and watched his recent biography. He is very entertaining. He not only knows how to cook, he is inventive and people want to eat what he eats. He also seems to be able to share the stage quite well and has little problem letting others arund him be stars. Very much the real deal. We hear all the time about "do what you want and the money will come". Quite frankly there are millions of people who have tried doing what they love and the money didn't come. There's also a lot of other people who may not love what they do so much, but can make a ton of money doing it. As an advertising professional who has been at it for many, many years and as a professional voice talent, I find that far too often "branding" seems to pop up as the holy grail. Indeed branding may work for a few voice talent, but in general, more talent might be served by taking less attention off of self and start looking at presenting themselves more as problem solvers. The interesting thing that many talent may not know is how the brand can also backfire. If the talent hasn't developed a strong craft, doesn't understand work flow procedures or the marketplace, their brand may just make them more recognizable as the talent we will never hire. Another problem happens because the system of auditioning and hiring generally relates to the name of the actor and not their brand. The association between the two is often lost. In Guy Fieri's case, the brand doesn't appear to be something devised or invented, but seems to have been organically developed. Perhaps it's more of a mental impression rather than a brand. "Nobody ever got into trouble for hiring J.S. Gilbert", isn't a brand, but the takeaway from dedicating myself 24/7 to being as valuable to my clients as possible. When mediocrity seems to be the heights to which many are willing to clmb, perhaps one should see what excellence can do for them as a brand. Point by point, I won’t disagree with what’s said in this article and as someone who attends dozens of conventions, workshops and meetings per year dedicated to “branding”, my thought is that “branding” can and often tends to become a catch phrase, by which businesses and individuals become overly concerned with graphics, fonts, colors, packaging and tag lines. To quote Starkist, “Starkist wants tunas that taste good.”

For every Guy Fieri out there, there’s hundreds if not thousands of other “Guy” wannabe’s. It’s one thing to be “the real deal”, but if they’re not buying your real deal, then what do you do? Guy is genuinely entertaining. I watched him progress through the Food network Star show and watched his recent biography. He is very entertaining. He not only knows how to cook, he is inventive and people want to eat what he eats. He also seems to be able to share the stage quite well and has little problem letting others arund him be stars. Very much the real deal.

We hear all the time about “do what you want and the money will come”. Quite frankly there are millions of people who have tried doing what they love and the money didn’t come. There’s also a lot of other people who may not love what they do so much, but can make a ton of money doing it.

As an advertising professional who has been at it for many, many years and as a professional voice talent, I find that far too often “branding” seems to pop up as the holy grail. Indeed branding may work for a few voice talent, but in general, more talent might be served by taking less attention off of self and start looking at presenting themselves more as problem solvers. The interesting thing that many talent may not know is how the brand can also backfire. If the talent hasn’t developed a strong craft, doesn’t understand work flow procedures or the marketplace, their brand may just make them more recognizable as the talent we will never hire. Another problem happens because the system of auditioning and hiring generally relates to the name of the actor and not their brand. The association between the two is often lost.

In Guy Fieri’s case, the brand doesn’t appear to be something devised or invented, but seems to have been organically developed. Perhaps it’s more of a mental impression rather than a brand.

“Nobody ever got into trouble for hiring J.S. Gilbert”, isn’t a brand, but the takeaway from dedicating myself 24/7 to being as valuable to my clients as possible.

When mediocrity seems to be the heights to which many are willing to clmb, perhaps one should see what excellence can do for them as a brand.

]]> By: Bob http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9710 Bob Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:57:10 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9710 Nancy, Thank you. Both Blaine and I have benefited greatly from our work with you! Be well, Bob Nancy,

Thank you. Both Blaine and I have benefited greatly from our work with you!

Be well,
Bob

]]> By: Nancy Wolfson http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/comment-page-1/#comment-9709 Nancy Wolfson Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:52:40 +0000 http://bobsouer.com/blog/2009/08/27/one-in-a-million-or-just-another-one/#comment-9709 Blaine once again proves how the core of his wickedly entertaining style and the content of his sharply informative product make him even hotter than that Wasabi. WONDERFUL POST, gentlemen...thank you! Blaine once again proves how the core of his wickedly entertaining style and the content of his sharply informative product make him even hotter than that Wasabi. WONDERFUL POST, gentlemen…thank you!

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