Should You Use Brand Names in Your Voice Over Demo?

The “brand name” controvery

If you research voice over commercial demo production on the internet, at some point you will be confronted with the “brand name” controversy.

It goes like this:  Should I use real brand names in the copy for my demo?  Why is this a debate?

There are some industry pundits that advise not to use brand names for the following reasons:

• Some argue that copy with actual brand names will violate copy or trademark laws and can get you in legal hot water.
• Others argue that you will be compared to the voice over talent that performed the original commercial.
• In a similar vein, some argue that, by using existing commercial copy and brand names, you will be confusing agents or clients who will assume you recorded the actual aired spot.

Possible cures for the controversy

The “cure” for these drawbacks varies.  Here are possible solutions to the problem:

• Use “imaginary” brand names.
• Write your own copy and your own imaginary brand names.
• Don’t use any brand names – real or imaginary – in your demo.

My advice: use real copy and real brand names

I do casting so I hear many demos.  And these are demos produced and used in Los Angeles – the epicenter (earthquake joke) of the world voice over market.  So my opinion is made from observing existing industry standards.  Here’ my advice:

Don’t use imaginary brand names!

This is and instant “red flag” that you are an inexperienced “newbie” in this business.  The biggest resistance to hiring new talent is the fear that the talents’ lack of experience will result in an unprofessional performance or many retakes to achieve a desired result.  When a client, a casting pro, or an agent hears imaginary brand names, each one screams “no experience”.  This effect is increased by the fact that most demos they receive do use real brand names.  Their conclusion:  This talent is inexperienced and is also not aware of industry norms.

And don’t write your own copy!

You want to be a voice talent.  Don’t try to be a copy writer.  Real copy writers make six figure incomes and work in agency environments where many people contribute ideas and sign off on the final result.  Trust me, there is no way your copy is going to have the polish and precision of the copy of a national advertiser.

In addition, industry pros don’t want to hear you interpret your own writing.  That’s too easy.  The pros want to hear your interpretation of actual broadcast copy.  This is similar to the audition process where you interpret actual copy.

Don’t leave out the brand names!

The listening powers-that-be want hear your treatment of all the components of an actual commercial.  How do you handle the headline?  The features and benefits?  The call to action?

And above all, how to you handle the company name, the product name and the product slogan?  If you leave out these identifiable components the client won’t be able to judge how you “brand” their company.

Won’t they think I’m Julia Roberts or Morgan Freeman?

Uh, no…  If you sing “New York, New York” will they think you’re Liza Minnelli or Frank Sinatra?  Not a chance.  So don’t worry that the industry pros will think you did the latest Visa spot.  They know you didn’t.  But they can hear your interpretation.  Who knows?  You may have a better read than the original!

In this competitive business you need the best demo you can get!

A top-notch voice over demo is a strategic and artistic combination of copy that highlights your individual performance, knowledgable direction, good editing, appropriate music and the proper sequencing of the spots.

Always select a demo producer that is involved in the voice over industry and is up to date on the latest advertising trends.  You can read more about Aliso Creek Demo Production here.  Or fill out this form to get started on YOUR voice over demo!