Last week, I entered a recoring studio expecting to do one radio spot and ended up doing twelve. “A campaign?” I greedily wondered. Not quite. Indeed, a campaign, but not like my last, true love…
Today, I went into a studio to do three more spots for a McDonalds breakfast campaign. See? I said “campaign” again. And, sure, it’s considered one, but there’s that wistful memory of my old GEICO campaign, “z” snapping in my face, telling those other so-called “campaigns” to “step-off!” (Yes, I imagine my GEICO campaign as being a twenty-something, hip-hop hottie – amazed we got together, but I know deep down that it was about money…)
Other voice over actors will tell you — GEICO campaigns run forever and pay perversely well (ask the cavemen guys). Indeed, my two consecutive national campaigns (14 commercials in all) helped me get a house [bless you, Martin Agency]! I’ve never had a run like that before. And I do know it can happen again. (GEICO campaign hottie gives me the “whatEVer” sign.)
So why write about it now? Am I “drunk-blogging” about an ex-campaign-hottie? No, but good guess. Actually, I still get a lot of emails about the work I did on it. (And some think I’m that freakin’ little gecko – I am not! I bought a house, not a mansion.) Since I started this blog well after those wonderful years, I thought I’d find a place for my GEICO memories within these pages.
Let’s start with my favorite: being the announcer on a commercial that features the Voice Over God himself – Don LaFontaine.
My second favorite: Joan Rivers!
I didn’t see this one a lot on TV, but I’m a fan of 60′s sentimentality. Burt Bacharach!
And this lovely and slightly creepy one with Peter Graves…
And what’s life without The Pips?! Pipless, I would think.
How about a little “coochie coochie coo?” Does Charo ever age?
There are many more, but I’ll just finish this trip down memory lane with the most clever one – Mrs. Butterworth! Her voice is provided by the wonderful character actress, Edie McClurg! As I was walking out of the studio I bumped into her as she was preparing a bagel to take into her session. I squealed with joy that she was Mrs. Butterworth. She replied in that sweet, off-kilter tonality of hers, “Yes. The original actress killed herself, so I get a job.” She smiled broadly and went into the booth. (Apologies to Mary Kay Bergman‘s estate.)
I don’t know if these will stay in the cultural landscape of history, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be comparing all my future campaigns to my GEICO hip-hop hottie… And maybe, just maybe, one day I’ll find that perfect campaign that I can live happily ever after with, with residual checks rolling in long after I’m dead…
[This is part 1 in a series of Career Love Letters.]
UPDATE:
Even after the events of April, 2010 – I still love GEICO and these two campaigns.
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More Words From My Arse:
- Mea Culpa. A PSA For Tea Party Critics.
- FreedomWorks, GEICO and Tortious Interference
- The D.C. Douglas Blog Anniversary!
- The Bipolar Voice Over Career
WONDERFUL spots! You have every right to be proud, D.C.
What’s the fun of working in anonymity? Glad you posted these, and it’s even better to put a face w/ the voice.
Great Stuff!
D.C.,
Thanks for letting us share your trip down memory lane- it’s good to see these spots again. And I’m pretty sure you may have forever changed how I refer to gigs (hip-hop-hottie is hilarious!).
DC… who knew!!? I’m really glad to read this post… and know that greatness happened to “one of the good guys!” (Ok, we know all vo peeps are the “good guys” right??!)
Way to go! I hope you get another date with a campaign hottie soon, so you can buy a mansion.
Caryn
DC,
Thanks for sharing these here. It’s been great getting to know you since we worked together on that Toshiba gig a while back. I wasn’t aware your voiceover work also appeared on these spots. How wonderful! Funny & creative spots remain in the collective consciousness for quite a while…years. How fortunate that you were part of them.
All the best,
Bobbin Beam
Nice to read you here!
Thanks for sharing these spots!
It’s amazing that you got to be a part of this campaign, and I’m glad that I now know the voice behind these ads
Here’s to another new house
All the best!
cheers,
Rupa
Truth be told, the good fortune that was this terrific campaign *could* have happened to a nicer guy, but apparently none were available that day.
Actually D.C., you’re truly an inspiration to everyone who pretends to be happy for your success. Because of the restraining order, I giddily watch your ascending career trajectory from afar and continue to mostly wish you well.
d
DC, this is good stuff! After seeing every one of these commercials before, I gave a little chuckle seeing the stills above because I loved the campaign. I had no idea this was your announcing work. Just awesome work man, thanks for the good stuff. Honestly this is very inspiring.
Don’t get me started on Edie McClure, I have loved her characters since Ferris Bueller.
-Barry Trussell
Yes, Geico has provided much entertainment and “why didn’t I think of that.” But, a bigger problem is this…I can’t get anything accomplished because I’m too busy reading your blog and watching the videos and time is ticking…I have absolutely no time management now! I haven’t laughed so much from a blog–EVER! What a treasure! DC do you know what you have here?!! You’ve found kryptonit for competitors–just give them your blog and they won’t get anything done either! Go Geico-MAN!
One of the best, personal work V/O posts I’ve seen.
Those were great spots and you did a great job! May we all get such nice campaigns from time to time.