VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

[chriswagner]

Hey there..

I've been off doing things like trying to codify a branding statement and logo, unfortunately I don't have an interesting name (Chris Wagner is rather common) that I could play off using kit kats, or a bicycle, or hell having Os in my name that I could use to put graphics in.

Nope, boring.. But my wife came up with a cute but cool branding line that I have been using "The perfect voice for your perfect message".. although that sounded good, how do you turn that into a logo? And it may just be a bit too cute.

So, here's what I have come up with, would like comments if you could. And yes, I have put the application in for a federal trademark last year.... just waiting for the registration number.

[CarynClark]

Hi Chris,

I like it!!!

A couple of things though:

No where is your name mentioned or placed in the logo. And first and foremost, you want your name associated with your tag line.

The other thing is... do you just do TV? Or do you do other things like radio, web narration, etc? If you just do tv stuff, then ok, but if you do all types of vo, I think that slogan limits you.

I think it's a clever concept though as that box is recognizable.

I'd also love to pick your brain about how you did the trademarking thing. I've wanted to do that myself, but I've looked online and the process appears somewhat daunting. Any tips?

Thanks!!! Caryn
_________________
Caryn Clark... The Hip Chick Voice!

"A positive mental attitude and having faith in your ability is quite different from being irresponsible and downright stupid." - Dave

[chriswagner]

Caryn,

Good points! I did think about having my name in the graphic, but I'm also looking to possible merchandize my logo... hats and T-shirts, etc.. and if my name was in there, who the heck would want to buy them?

I talked with my agents about the as heard on tv, and they all felt that it was a strong enough branding to not matter. Just says you've heard me on TV, but not that I only do TV. But yes, that might be something that would make me reconsider the brand. Super point!

What I plan on doing is using my name WITH the logo in all my marketing, it's not a part of it, but will be associated with it. I have a draft for my updated site to show you what I mean.

http://asheardon.tv

As far as the trademarking itself, not that difficult to do, I just went to legalzoom filled out the paperwork (which was quite simple really) and plunked down the 400+ dollars, they did the rest of the work and filed it for me. I have had to go back in and re-submit the logo because the one they sent looked like a smudge of ashes... Other than that it was quite easy!

The great thing about the registered trademark is, that you have the legal right to stop anyone from using that trademark. As long as you protect it by including the (tm) or (r) when it is used.

Chris

[Edo]

Chris,

Very catchy... just a couple of remarks. It's been tried in Holland about six years ago and the couldn't trademark the logo for it was said to belong to some Luxemburg publishing company for their TV Guide. I don't know the specifics of that, but that publising company supposedly owned the logo for over 40 years or so.

First reaction upon seeing the logo:

Even though it's very powerful I'd like to also state that whenever I see logos like that on a box/product in a store, it automatically reminds me of the long and boring TV Shop infomercials like Amazing Discoveries which instantly make me throw stuff at my TV. If that's the message you're willing to include in your marketing, that's okay. But if I can come up with that thought, so can a producer hiring you for a corporate job.

[louzucaro]

Caryn, the TM symbol can be used without any legal paperwork. Only the registered trademark symbol (the circle with the R in it) requires legal documents to be filed first before being able to use it.

So go ahead and slap that TM symbol on your logo if you want to!
_________________
Lou Zucaro
http://www.voicehero.com

"Well, yeah, there's my favorite leaf!"

[chriswagner]

That's true, but it is infinitely easier to keep someone from stealing your logo outright if you have the federal registration. Or by taking the key elements from your logo and using it in their own.

AND it keeps you from getting in trouble by researching it in the federal trademark databse first.

Moreover, I needed another tax expense last year, and it fit the bill.

[mcm]

Oh dear, Amy Snively is not going to like you.

http://www.amysnively.com/

[chriswagner]

Probably not.

[Jeffrey Kafer]

Nor the dozens of other people who came up with it before:

http://search.live.com/images/results.aspx?q=%22as+heard+on+TV%22&FORM=BIRE
_________________
Jeff
http://JeffreyKafer.com
Voice-overload Web comic: http://voice-overload.com

[Bailey]

ouch!... the sting of a quick spanking.

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"Bailey"
a.k.a. Jim Sutton
Retired... Every day is Saturday, except Sunday.
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AOVA Graduate 02/2004 ;
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[Deirdre]

Well, sometimes that can be quite exciting.

Not that I know anything about it, because I don't.
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DBCooperVO.com
IMDB

[bobsouer]

Deirdre made me laugh out loud, here in my hotel room in Dublin, OH.
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Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
Source Connect, phone patch, pony express

[Yoda117]

[Jeffrey Kafer]

[Yoda117]