In today's "Marketing Daily: Around the Net in Brand Marketing" I came across this article regarding Target and their "Pop-Up" stores.

CLICKY HERE!

I find this fascinating.

When I think about successful branding, I think recognizable, familiar, succinct, that carries the message of what the product is clearly... even in location, when it's bricks and mortar.  Yet Target's bullseye brand is so strong that they can do "Bullseye Bodegas."

You know, it's funny... I went to Target with my niece a couple of weeks ago, and she asked why the heck they have those big red cement spheres on the sidewalk in the front of the store. Aside from the obvious (I assume they're there in part to keep people on the sidewalk from getting run over), I explained to her that while their branding is the "bullseye" that I suppose those big red spheres are part of the "bullseye" concept... not exactly the same thing, but familiar enough. Just like the "Bullseye Bodegas." 

Genius.

        

In my spare time, I do a little volunteer work. One institution that's near and dear to my heart is the University of Florida, my alma mater.

Here is a press release about a volunteer position to which I've been appointed. My husband and I met through a mutual Gator Club friend, so Gator Clubs are kinda special to me, and I'm excited to be able to help them out!!

Clark named Regional Vice President to area Gator Clubs>>

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Clark was appointed to the volunteer position by the University of Florida Alumni Association in Gainesville. Her responsibilities include overseeing operations and activities of clubs in the region, developing and fostering communications between the clubs and the UFAA offices, and representing the UFAA at special events of importance to the University of Florida in the region.

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Clark graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in English from the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. She is a professional voice over actress with national television and radio credits, including the voice of a number of commercials for Hannah Montana products.

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The Southwest Florida Gator Club® is an affiliate organization of the University of Florida Alumni Association.

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The mission of the Southwest Florida Gator Club® is to foster and enhance the relationship between the University of Florida, its alumni, students and friends and to support the university's mission of teaching, research and service. The club offers at least 10 scholarships each year for students planning to attend the university. For more information please visit swflorida.gatorclub.com or call Bill Turner at (239)-851-2430.

        

Your mission? To come up with the most ridiculous voice over branding ever.

Check out this contest that Erik Sheppard is hosting, and try to win some cool prizes!!!! 

"Where will his voice turnip next?"  ----- I LOVE IT!!!

        

My voiceover coach, Marice Tobias, has offered some of her very wise and sage advice via Tracy Pattin's Voice Registry Podcast on the Voicebank.net blog.  I can attest that Marice is different than any other coach I've studied with. (And, just a note, I've learned TONS from everyone with whom I've studied).  Her approach is just.... well, I like to say it's "ethereal."  But that's just me.

From Tracy's blog:

Marice Tobias is a master coach. Ms. Tobias is different from any other voice over coach in that she prefers working with only established, professional, voice over talent. In her early years of coaching she was known as the “Voice Shrink”…someone you would call if you hit a booking slump. Along the way, she has coached some of the top voice over talents, many who are earning the lion share of their money in trailers. Recently, Marice has been referred to as the “Voice Whisperer” due to her ability to “hear through” the surface of a read and pinpoint what might be keeping someone from playing full out.

Click here to listen to the podcasts... there are three!  How lucky are we??!

        

Tracy Pattin, auther of the Voicebank.net Blog, posted an article today that you might find interesting.  She would love for VO talent to leave a comment about what YOU are doing to help your business during this economy. She's planning to feature a talent each week (I kicked it off this week).

Go to the article here, and leave a comment!

        

Have you heard about "Voice for Hire" by Randy Thomas and Peter Rofe?

This book about voice over is the MOST RECENTLY released book on the industry.  Randy Thomas is not only a dear friend of mine, and my mentor, but one of THE TOP voice over talents in the country.  She's the voice of Entertainment Tonight and The Insider, and is known for announcing shows like The Academy Awards, The Tonys, and The Emmys.  I'm blessed to have worked with her... and through this book, you can learn from her. Peter Rofe is not only a cool cat and funny guy, but one of the top voice over coaches in New York City, and also a voice over talent.  I've studied wtih Peter and learned so much from his experience. The two came together to create a book that will provide value to newcomers and those in the industry.

I'm always happy to answer questions regarding voice over and how to get into the business.  One of the first things I tell people who contact me is, "Read everything you can about voice over. Pick up a copy of Voice for Hire... it's the book I recommend reading first." 

And, if you're already in the vo industry, you'll want to read this book. I am FASCINATED by Randy's stories about her live announce experience at The Academy Awards.  There's also great info in Voice for Hire about technology, agents, ways to break down copy... all things the experienced vo want to know and practice. It even comes with an audio CD that runs through a few exercises and gives "before" and "after" reads, so you can HEAR the difference.

Once you read the book, let me know what you think! And let Randy and Peter know.  Go to the Voice for Hire web site and leave a comment!  They would love to hear from you!

        

It's that time of year!

Nominations for the 2009 VOICEY Awards are being accepted through February 28, 2009.   These awards are sponsored by Voices.com and recognize actors and voice talents for their contributions and efforts over the past year in the voice over industry.

In 2007, I was one of five finalists in the categories of "Best New Voice" and "Best Personal Branding."  I was the only person to be a finalist in two categories.

If you would like to nominate yours truly for an award, I would be honored!  Please email me at caryn at carynclark dot com if you would like assistance or information regarding my body of work. Some info can be found on my web site, but I'm happy to answer any questions.

Thank you!!!

        

Well, we all knew this was comin' - just a matter of time, I s'pose.

I received an email today from a colleague in the Pacific Northwest that I found a tad disturbing, yet interesting.  It is a good discussion, and I hope I will get some responses to this blog. I'm curious myself!

Here is the email:

Hi Everyone,

Happy New Year!

        

I've been doing some reading about blogging, and I've read that it is vital one "claims their blog using Technorati."  So, in this post, that's what I'm doing.

If you're interested in learning more, go to technorati.com

Here's my Technorati Profile

        

Happy New Year to everyone!

I love the start of a new year.  For me, it's the perfect time to look back at the prior year and celebrate my accomplishments... and recognize those I didn't achieve. Even more exciting, I get to look ahead to the new year, set a few goals, and get a FRESH START!

I love a fresh start.

Yes, I'm one of "those" people that can't start a diet or exercise program in the middle of the week... it has to start on a Sunday or a Monday. And, I like when the first of the month falls on a Monday. You know, things like that. (OK, maybe I'm a tad obsessive! )

So, the new year is a refreshing time for me.

This new year, I've already cleaned out the closets in our home, and have a plan to rid ourselves of the things we no longer have a use for.

I've also chronologically ordered about 700 - 1,000 family photos, have taken them to the photo shop to be scanned and films to be put on DVD for my three siblings who live around the world and don't have any of our old family things.

I've also started to remodel my studio... a bit of a larger task than I anticipated. But, by doing this remodel, I'm creating a work environment that's going to be a nicer place for me to spend time in (since I spend 8+ hours a day in a 3x9 space). I'm also telling the "universe" I'm ready to receive all kinds of great and even better gigs than I've had, because I will have an even better studio than I had. I'm ready!!!

I've cleaned out my inbox, and I'm ready for the first Monday of the year!!! Bummer it falls on the 5th, but I'll deal.