VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

craigcrumpton

Without getting involved in the political discussion involved in this situation, I just wanted others to be aware of what has happened with D.C. Douglas getting fired by Geico due to completely unnecessary bullying on the part of a political group and the questionable (and probably illegal) means they went about to do so.

Press release:
http://voiceactors.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/freedomworks-geico-dc-douglas/

D.C. Douglas' blog response:
http://www.myvoiceoverguy.com/voice-over/freedomworks-geico-tortious-interference/
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Bruce · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 5:45 am Post subject:

"Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt you."

Another axiom gets the axe.

This one still seems to work: "Loose lips sink ships."

B
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Deirdre · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 6:20 am Post subject:

What a mess. I'm sorry for DC, to be sure.

I guess the lesson is if we're in the position of being small enough to lose a job, we have to censor our public sentiment.
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

Who acted like a bully in the first place? D.C. did by calling them "mentally retarded". No matter what your politics are, D.C. drew first blood. If a conservative VO guy (there are those, right?) called the DNC and called them mentally retarded they'd get the axe too.

Anyhow, now do we expect to see an audition request on v12Whhheee?
50-100 USD for a buyout? That rate will save us a lot on our car insurance.
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mcm · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 7:27 am Post subject:

It hit the Washington Post, too:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/right-now/2010/04/geico_voice_actor_fired_after.html

asnively · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:23 am Post subject:

I understand getting fired up about perceived racism and homophobia. But I also get fired up about the term "mentally retarded" being used as an insult. Better decisions could have been made on both sides.
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glittlefield · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 8:49 am Post subject:

So, a private phone call placed to an organization (however inappropriately worded) makes it ok for the recipient to turn around and post his home phone number on the web and pressure his client to fire him?

That's like execution for punching someone.
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Philip Banks · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 9:04 am Post subject:

I would never trust an organisation with the reputation for playing dirty to suddenly decide to play fair just because it was me.

Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

He didn't have a private phone call. He left an abusive message on their main line, no? When you do that and you leave your number, you're asking for it. I'd love to hear the full "voice over" DC left on the phone, not just the edited one he posted. If I called up the DNC or any organization of any stripe and left my number and called them "mentally retarded" I'd be in a world of hurt. Philip nailed it though.

DC is really pushing it with his blog rebuttal. It's distasteful and unprofessional no matter how much he was wronged. Seeing that leads me to believe he was very abusive in his message, but he's innocent until proven guilty.

Darn, he's Lance Baxter? Am I going to have to change my name??? Smile

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glittlefield · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 9:14 am Post subject:

The WAV file is out there, Lance.

I'm willing to bet the DNC gets calls like that all the time, so that's probably not the best scenario.

DC made the mistake of leaving that message with a PAC that fed right into their agenda.
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta

The DNC certainly gets abusive messages everyday, but not from established voice talents with big clients.

He's got to cut out the TeaBagger stuff. You've got to stand against them with the facts not with shooting from the hip. His blog rebuttal looks like the immature abusive ignorant self-righteous things he's railing against. I'm massively disappointed in what he's done.
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Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

The bottom line is, right or wrong, in this business, one cannot afford to be unusually conspicuous when it comes to things like politics.

Especially when corporations who sell to the public(who are either conservative or liberal)
are hiring us to represent them. These companies don't want anyone representing them to alienate or offend large segments of their potential customer base.

Political ads are kind of a different story, though, and imply a slightly different set of rules.

It may suck, but that's the reality of it IMO.

Donna · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:19 am Post subject:

Okay, Lance. Why don't you call Moveon.org or some other progressive organization and leave a similar voice mail. Leave your name and number, and then come back here and tell us how it went.

Drew · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:31 am Post subject:

I think those of us in the public eye...or ear, need to be cautious about how we vent our spleens. Personally, I have a punching bag in the garage.
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Lance Blair · M&M Joined: 03 Jun 2007 Posts: 2281 Location: Atlanta