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?
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 of a series - Love Letters]
UPDATE:
Even after the events of April, 2010 – I still love GEICO and these two campaigns.
Related posts:
Wow! Thanks for all the kind words! (Except Dave M – careful walking alone at night, buddy!)
I hope to keep posting only about interesting jobs, etc, and not about average auditions, career insecurities, or the kind of lint my navel gathers — so please subscribe to the blog (upper right corner) and get updates twice or so a week when I post. Then we can feel connected, loved, dare I say – “BFFs?” (I am so youthful and hip with my acronyms.)
As a young pup, back in 1988, you laughed at one of my jokes. Ever since then I knew you were bound for success, or life in a small motel, wearing an Anthony Perkins mask. While our careers progress slower than a Hillbilly taking an IQ test, you prosper. Well, if anyone deserves to get ahead, you talented guy, it’s someone who laughed at my joke in 1988.
Doug Stone
Well done, D.C.! I enjoyed this public “love letter”! You did a fabulous job on those campaigns.
All the best,
Donna at VOplanet/VoiceCasting
I found this and thought this might be of interest :p
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQRtuxdfQHw
Yes, a classic!
You'll find that perfect, live happily ever after campaign. Your voice is too awesome for you not to. <3
I believe I'm blushing.
Love the Geico spots DC. Great to see a bunch of them all gathered together here for our viewing pleasure.
Thanks, Joe! I'm honored you dropped by!
I never would've guessed that you were the announcer! They always made me smile on the TV, and I got to look at my favorites again! So glad you posted this!
Rock on! Nothing is forever, and as in love, soon they will long to have you back again because you, like so many others, appreciate it.