I've never seen this...

Tom Pagnotti · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007, 14:14 (GMT) Post subject: I've never seen this...

Frankly, I’m a bit surprised to see this. And I may have missed when this started…Next to company name on job leads this rather stern “warning”…

Some unscrupulous talents and/or voice producers have contacted voice seekers or their companies for the purposes of direct solicitation. Please be advised that we strictly prohibit this unprofessional behavior! Please be forewarned that if this conduct is brought to our attention, the consequences contain the cancellation of your subscription with no refund as well as being prohibited from ever participating in the Voice123 marketplace. You are only allowed to communicate with the voice seekers by using the Voice123 system unless otherwise instructed.

I’m OK with the voice seeker wanting to cloak their identity (because I understand that they are likely inundated with talent soliciting business).

But part of my marketing effort has been to contact agencies and production houses – NOT through information I gleaned from V123, but from my own research.

They’re bound to intersect at some point… Am I being told that I can’t solicit (even unbeknownst to me) anybody that may have been a client of V123?

Kathleen Keesling · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007, 15:19 (GMT) Post subject:

I would have to hope that the intent of this warning is to stop the direct solicitation to the seeker relative to a specific job posting. I can't believe that their intent was to attempt to stop all standard marketing efforts. If we happen to market to a seeker that has posted on V123 in the past, the client is unlikely to tie the two incidents together and complain.

It's a shame that talents are abusing the system, I know I have not breached the appropriate lines of communication and contacted a seeker to gain an advantage. I have been making notes on what companies list online with them and Voices to expand my marketing list. But my intent was to do general marketing included with my own personal list. My intention was not to disturb the client. Perhaps I should rethink this.

Voice123 must and should realize that penalizing talents for auditioning may actually add to more and more talents attempting to bypass the audition process. People will naturally travel the path of least resistance and some may be tempted to go directly to the source in order to avoid a rating and audition penalty. No matter how many warnings they post, people will do what they will do if the situation seems a loss. Maybe I'm wrong...it just seems obvious that this would happen more and more now.

My nickel of nonsense.
Confused

Erik Sheppard · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007, 15:32 (GMT) Post subject:

I cant imagine that directly contacting a seeker in reference to a specific job posted on 123 would be very beneficial for the talent.

My guess would be that they would just come across as annoying.

J.S. Gilbert · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007, 19:19 (GMT) Post subject: contacting the talent seeker

It would depend. For example if you have video ofthe talent seeker driving drunk, or are intimate with how they've been cheating the IRS for example, then contacxting them and lettingthem know the "benefits" to hiring you may be a good idea.

This is definitely an "advanced" marketing concept and if not done right, could unfortunately lead court sanctioned actions. But hey, if you're not going to get the gig anyway, then what's the harm in a little restraining order.

In the immortal words of Steve Martin. "Give me money or this plant gets it."

Robert Jadah · Posted: Thu Dec 20, 2007, 20:46 (GMT) Post subject:

Surprised me, too, Tom.
Some small responsibility must necessarily lie with V123, since they continue to refer to this problem.

Yet all other pay-to-play sites routinely list company and seeker names, presumably without dire consequence.

Might V123 have become the VO Starter Kit, with unprofessional conduct from their apple-cheeked beginners?
Either that, or:
A) veterans are planning against renewing their subscriptions, and figure they may as well go down fighting, or
B) Like Kat said, or
C) JS is right (again), or
D) One sleazeball seeker has complained about one innocent request for a clarification of the directions ("What did you mean: read it in the style of a Fran Dreschner/Patrick Stewart hybrid? And did you really want it submitted on Beta tape?"), and V123 has circled the wagons to protect their precious, royal seekers.

Voice123 On?

Simon Hill · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007, 05:39 (GMT) Post subject:

Here is a tribute to them unscrupulous people!
http://voiceoversavvy.com/ftopic4161-60.html