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Eric's News

2008

• As you may know, I'm a member of the steering committee of CRPRA - Cedar Rapids Public Relations Associates - and at our January meeting I had the opportunity to hear Maureen Osako from Informatics (a Web design firm) speak to our group about the latest trends and good practices in Web site design.
  
  Maureen gave an excellent presentation, providing tons of information for those who don't know much about Web design and marketing, as well as teaching this old dog a few tricks. A few minutes into her presentation I found myself copying down the points from all of her slides so that I could hold them up against my sites later for review. It was a good refresher/educational experience.
  (January 2008)
   

• Happy New Year!

2007

• I was recently selected to be the voice of the Aegon - Transamerica customer and agent voice response unit, or VRU, and spent several sessions in November and December recording somewhere around 1,000 individual prompts and messages. (A VRU is the telephone system that greets and assists customers and agents find the information they need or connect to someone in the company i.e. - press 1 for this, press 2 for that, etc.) This has been a huge project and will require monthly updates to the voice file database.
  
  With headquarters in The Hague, the Netherlands, AEGON companies employ approximately 30,000 people worldwide. AEGON's businesses serve millions of customers in over twenty markets throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia, with major operations in the United States, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
  
  I'm very grateful to my friends Keith, Tami and Elliott at Metro Studios in Hiawatha, Iowa for their work and for inviting me to be a part of the project. (December 2007)
   
• It was time once again to assist Warren Byerly on a video shoot at the world's largest cereal mill - Quaker Oats right here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We set-up the video shoot in a conference room and videotaped several interviews and also walked parts of the plant to capture b-roll. This was the third year in a row that I've accompanied Warren on this shoot to provide technical support.
  (December 2007)
   
• I received a call from Rick at Fort Bend Music Center in Dallas, TX. They are the largest piano moving and sales center in the Dallas area, plus provide a huge space for private and group lessons. Rick asked me to write and produce an On Hold Message for his business, as well as record the automated answerer audio, providing a welcome and phone extension list to callers.
  (December 2007)
   
• I've built a new Web site -- this time for me! It's a site dedicated to my voiceover work, which has recently been a fast-growing part of my business. Check it out at www.ericsvoice.net
  (December 2007)
   
• Gaby at First Light Net in Colorado Springs called and asked if I could make a dozen DVDs of the video I produced for them earlier this year. No problem! The DVDs were burned, labeled, cased and out the door within a day. (November 2007)
   
• The Web site project for Gregor Bailar is complete. Take a look at the site here. See the October posting below for the key players. www.gregorbailar.com  (November 2007)
   
• I recorded a voiceover for Dustin McD. at Championship Productions in Ames, Iowa. Dustin is a former producer at KTIV-TV in Sioux City. While Dustin was at KTIV, I had recorded several VOs for him there. Now as production manager at Championship Productions, Dustin remembered me and called to have me record a commercial VO for a spot airing in the Ames/Des Moines market. Thanks, Dustin! (October 2007)
   
• More recording this month for American College Testing (ACT) of Iowa City. My continued thanks to Tami and Elliott at Metro Studios. (October 2007)
   
• A Web site project was begun for Gregor Bailar. Working with old friend Patrick O'Connell and former colleagues from Capital One, I was responsible for bringing the pieces together from copy writer Ronda E. and graphic artist Anna D. to create the site. There's still more work to do, but we're in the home stretch. ("A web site is never done." - E. Wylie)  (October 2007)
   
• I provided on-site audio recording services for St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids for an announcement for their overhead paging/announcement system. (September 2007)
   
• I recorded/created an On Hold Message production for Leander Health Tables in Kansas. (September 2007)
   
• Following my audio work for First Light Net in July, I was asked to create a video for these folks, as well. I used their provided artwork of their brochure, some additional graphics I created and some stock footage to write and edit a video they were quite pleased with. The video is available on their Web site and they are also planning to make it available as part of a CD-ROM to be placed in their media kit. (August/September 2007)
   
• I had an interesting afternoon and evening spent with Sen. Joe Biden (D-Delaware) candidate for president. I was hired by Peter Kent of Cyclops Pictures in Vermont to be Peter's audio guy for the day, as we followed the senator around as he did a Walk a Day in My Shoes shadowing with a local school maintenance engineer here in Cedar Rapids. The 'walk' was sponsored by SEIU, the Service Employees International Union. You can see the video (and hear my audio capture/mix) on YouTube. 
  
  It was a very interesting experience to spend time with a candidate. Senator Biden was very approachable, down to earth and genuine. Others who had been on most of the Walk a Days with the other candidates said that Biden was easily the most easy-going, un-pretentious candidate they had worked with up to that time. I like Sen. Biden. I also liked the guy he was shadowing, Marshall Clemons of Cedar Rapids -- he is a very hard-working, genuine guy and we had fun spending the day with him and his family as they welcomed Sen. Biden into their home. (August 2007)
   
• I provided field audio services to Brackett Media and Event Services in Des Moines. My thanks to Jay Brackett and Dave Couch there for the call. We spent a very long day at the Iowa State Fair, shooting video and capturing actualities from fair-goers that will be used for the 2008 Iowa State Fair commercials. It was a fun day, though, the crew was great. I met up with Steve Faust (Gaffer/Key Grip) who I had worked with on a production up in Waverly last year. I also caught up with John Houghton (director of photography). John worked at KCCI (as a VERY young man -- still in high school) at the same time my dad was anchoring the Noon news on KCCI-TV8 in Des Moines in the 1970s and '80s. John and I reminisced about the good old days at KCCI and had a fun day meeting and talking with folks at the fair. (August 2007)
   
• I do a good number of TV commercial voiceovers every month for my friends in three different OnMedia Ad Sales offices (the advertising arm of Mediacom Cable). My sincere thanks to Dan, T.J., Ann, Nicki, Chris and Nathan in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque and Cedar Falls (Iowa). From those offices they provide production support for Cedar Rapids and Iowa City, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Mason City, all of the Quad Cities and parts of Wisconsin. These folks are busy -- and I'm glad to be a part of their work.  (July 2007)
   
• I created an On Hold Message for First Light Net in Colorado Springs, CO. I was able to fulfill their request for a same-day turn-around.  A few days later, I was asked to re-work the script to be used as audio for their Web Site. (July 2007)
   
• I recorded and edited the welcome message, system prompts and mailbox greetings for PowerSurge Web Hosting and Nine Dot Systems. Thanks and hello to Chris W.! (July 2007)
   
• Cleaned some audio from an old film interview for Dean R. at New Leaf Media. The piece I cleaned was an interview with Nan Wood, sister of Cedar Rapids artist Grant Wood. Nan was the woman pictured in Grant Wood's American Gothic. (July 2007)
   
• I helped Teri, Shanna and Julie make some updates to the portfolio page of their Morning Star Studio Web site. Check it out! (June 2007)
   
• I've recorded several Voiceovers for Metro Studios over the last couple of months...radio commercials, Web site tours and long-format educational videos for several of their fine clients. My thanks to Tami and Connie for their continued trust and phone calls! (June 2007)
   
• I've created a new Web site for Financial Coach Dennis Spencer! Check it out at: www.dennis-spencer.info  (June 2007)
   
• I met up with a couple of guys named Mike and Ron who are living out the American Dream of owning and operating their own business. They were looking for someone who would take the time to understand their business and their target audience to help them build a Web site. The found me. :-)
  
  I admire these guys because they are getting into business for the right reasons. They own Heartland Heat (click the link to view the Web site I built for them) -- a company they formed to sell and install outdoor wood and grain-burning furnaces. These outdoor furnaces use local, renewable resources (primarily corn) to heat rural homes and outbuildings (and they work in the city, too!).  They work by efficiently heating water, which is then pumped to the various buildings on site, providing comfortable radiant heat. (June 2007)
   
• It was my honor to spend the day at Prairie Middle School (College Community School District in Cedar Rapids) as a Career Day guest speaker on April 20th. I spoke with six groups of Prairie 7th graders about all the various forms of communications, demonstrated some voiceover scripts and let them give it a try, and stepped them through a group activity of creating a communications plan to promote an upcoming event at their school.
  
  I must say I was impressed with the Prairie 7th graders -- all were good listeners and asked great questions, and really enjoyed hearing me read one of my voiceover scripts. If I ever need an ego boost, I'll find some 7th graders and read my toy commercial script. :-)  My thanks to school counselor Natalie H. for the invitation! (April 2007)
   
• I recently spent two days in Washington, Iowa, providing field audio support for
  Vince Aurilio of Creative Media Communications in Pennsylvania.
  
  Vince and his team do a great deal of work with Lextron Animal Health, which was the focus of this shoot. We set out to capture interviews and B-Roll in preparation for Lextron's annual meeting and awards ceremony.
  
  We had great, early Spring weather in which to do our work. My thanks to Vince, Director of Photography Jim, Forrest from the Agency in Kansas and to all the local and national folks associated with Lextron. Jobs like this are less like "work" when the people you work with are fun, friendly and talented.  (April 2007)
   
• Two video clips have been added to my Portfolio page, courtesy of Jim Adams at Cox Media in Omaha. I voice several commercials each month for Jim and his fellow producers. Jim was kind enough to share a couple of those spots with me so that I could post them online for all to see. (April 2007)
   
• The big news for March 2007 was that my 2-year-old daughter spent 8 days in the hospital and then another week at home recovering, due to a staph infection on the left side of her face. Needless to say, not a whole lot of work got done around the studio in March.
   
• Speed-E-Pan is the revolutionary new way do-it-yourselfers will want to change their own motor oil! I wrote and voiced a video script for this new local product, and now I've completed their Web site! Learn all about Speed-E-Pan at the link above; review the Web site and view the video online! (February 2007)
   
• Central Baptist Church in Sioux City, Iowa has a new On Hold Message playing on their phone system. I wrote and recorded their new message this month. My thanks to Sandy there at the church for her call. It was a pleasure to work with Sandy. She reports that their phones now "sound heavenly!"  (February 2007)
   
• Chris Turner at Partner Provided asked me to create a leave-behind sheet for his sales team, as well as create new business cards for himself and his staff. Rather than a brochure, we decided upon a single 8.5 x 11 full-color glossy sheet. The final result was informative and attractive.  (February 2007)
   
• An updated On-Hold Message was produced for my client Electric Innovations in Sioux City, Iowa.  These fine folks are not only customers, but they also refer their customers to me for On-Hold Messaging. (Part of the Electric Innovations product and services lines includes business telephone systems.)  (February 2007)
   
• I recorded the voiceover for a statewide video presentation for a project of the Cedar Rapids District of the Iowa Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Matthew 25 Ministry Hub is under the direction of the Rev. Clint Twedt-Ball, and works to support the needs of the Taylor school neighborhood in Cedar Rapids.  (January 2007)
   
• In partnership with a couple of church friends, I voiced and produced a series of radio under-writing announcements on behalf of our church (Lovely Lane United Methodist Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa) that will air daily throughout 2007 on a local Christian radio station. The scripts and music beds were provided, and I put the pieces together. We'll be adding more announcements as we have church events to promote.
  (January 2007)
   
• I have completed a new Web site for the Cedar Rapids Public Relations Associates: www.crpra.com .  I became involved in this organization several months ago, and enjoy the networking and educational opportunities the group provides. My thanks to the group's Treasurer, Warren Byerly, who got me involved in the organization. Warren is a freelance videographer and editor; we have collaborated on several projects over the last few years.  (January 2007)
   
• Welcome to new client Don at Fresh Start Janitorial Services in Sioux City, Iowa.  Don called and asked me to create a radio commercial from his script, announcing the expansion of their business to include home and commercial grounds keeping services. Everyone there seemed very pleased with the final results, especially Don! The spot aired on two stations in Sioux City. (January 2007)
   

• I had a great time providing Field Audio support services to my friend Warren Byerly with two of his projects this month.
  
  First we made a return trip to Quaker Oats in Cedar Rapids (we were there last January, working for the same production company from Chicago), shooting video throughout the plant and recording sit-down interviews with members of the staff regarding the topic for the day.
  
  It's a long, tiring day, but I really enjoy seeing that operation. I enjoy seeing and learning about the production of food and other goods -- I'm a big fan of shows like "How it is Made" and John Ratzenberger's "Made in America." The Quaker Oats plant is beyond gigantic - and in addition to the various oat-based products you may be familiar with like rolled oats and instant oats, this plant also produces Aunt Jamima syrups and a very large portion of the grits consumed in the US and throughout the world.
  
  The second video outing was two days of sit-down interviews for a local company. I can't name the name, because the recordings are going to be part of surprise event.
  (January 2007)
   

2006

• I recorded the voiceover for another long-format business presentation/animation script for my friends at epic software, inc. in The Woodlands, TX. My thanks to Vic and Robert for their continued confidence in my services. (December 2006)
   
• Pat C. at Hawkeye Communication/Fandel Alarm contacted me about creating a promotional postcard for their business. When that work was completed, it was followed by a request to make updates to the Hawkeye Electric Web site.
  (December 2006)
   
• I have written and voiced a script for a video for Speed-E-Pan - a new product being launched here in Cedar Rapids, Iowa by a couple of local entrepreneurs. Check later posts for a link to a Web site I will be creating for this product. (November 2006)
   
• It is a pleasure to count Theresa Kann as a new client. Theresa owns Artful Living. She is an Interior Designer, Visionary, Project Manager, Artist who deftly brings all of her education and experiences together into an intriguing service offering.
  
  I recently helped Theresa prepare for a presentation she was to make via video. I have a sense that Theresa and I will work together again on a project in the future.
   
• Welcome to new client Trees Forever based in Marion, Iowa. Trish Kohl is the Communications Coordinator there. She called seeking assistance with a rather complex PowerPoint presentation scheduled for a statewide meeting in Ames, Iowa. (I met Trish through Cedar Rapids Public Relations Associates and my friend Warren Byerly).
  
  I was initially asked to add voiceover and music to the slides and time the slide transitions accordingly. As the project developed, I shared some ideas based on several years of PowerPoint creation at MCI, and I was soon sprucing up the entire presentation. Everyone involved seemed very pleased with the final results.
  
  It was a pleasure to work with Trish and Founding President and CEO, Shannon Ramsay.  (November 2006)
   
• Congratulations to Ray and Eleanor at E & R Creations on the latest addition to their business! I've completed their Web site and it is now online! Take a look and browse their online gallery. And for goodness sakes, call Eleanor and order something!  :-) 
  
  These are great folks who make beautiful ceramic pieces. Best of all, they can customize any piece with any color or pattern you choose, making the perfect addition to your home or office. Interior designers will be thrilled at being able to choose vase and sculpture styles and then textures and colors to suit their room designs!
  
  With over 6,000 ceramic molds in their warehouse, they literally have something for everyone. They have lots of seasonal pieces and many others such as wildlife, religious, outdoor, patriotic and other designs, plus their newest and most requested line: cremation urns. They create beautiful, customized urns for humans and pets -- all for much less than what traditional urn sales emporiums will charge.
  
  To create this site, I customized an off-the-shelf Web template that I researched for Ray and Eleanor, and then shot all of the product photos, wrote most of the copy and put all of the pieces together to bring the site to life. The full address is www.eandrcreations.biz   (October 2006)
   
• If you're a broadcaster, have you ever had a piece of audio sent to you that was so bad it couldn't be used on the air? What if that piece of audio was your only localized content from the host of a nationally syndicated talk show and you just HAD to use it? Well, one of the local TV stations contacted me this month with just such a problem.
  
  The audio in question sounded as if it had been recorded in a huge studio with a microphone placed on the other side of the room! (Actually, what I think they did was use a pro video field camera with a mic mounted on top -- ENG style). The hum and echo were awful. It was hard to imagine that this came from a major production company, but it did.
  
  In any event, I was able to clean and improve that audio enough that the TV station can now use it to localize their promotions for the show. If you need similar help, just let me know. I'm only a phone call or email away. I've got some amazing clean-up tools in my toolbox!  (October 2006)
   
• Welcome to new client Telecom Services of Iowa. I created an On-Hold Message for owner Mark Hazlett. Mark has also been kind enough to refer a couple of his clients who have asked about on-hold services. Mark is a great guy. If you're building a new office, moving your office or need just a new phone system, Mark has a Samsung system that will meet and exceed your expectations. No one in Iowa sells and installs more Samsung phone equipment than Mark and his team at Telecom Services of Iowa. (October 2006)
   
• I've continued to receive voiceover projects from the great folks at epic software in The Woodlands, TX. Thanks to Vic and Robert for their continued trust. The most recent recording was a promotional piece for one of their clients -- a nationally known insurance company. (September 2006)
   
• A big "welcome" to new client (and old friend) Chris Mansfield at Woodland Media Productions in Sioux City, Iowa. Chris and I worked together in the mid-90's at KTIV-TV (NBC) where he was the Sr. Director and Production Manager and I was producing commercials, PSAs and station promotions. Chris has owned his own production company for many years. Thanks to Chris, I am now the marketing voice of the "900 Club" travelogue film series in Sioux City.  (September 2006)
   
• Even though my days as the voice of The Zone may soon be coming to an end due to the pending ownership change there, I've had lots of VOs and some production work for them, putting together all of the opens and promotions for the high school football season.  (August-September 2006)
   
• More recording this month for Steve F. at Rock Solid, Inc. for their client, Square Tire.  (August 2006)
   
• Cindy at Linn County Anesthesiologists, P.C. called to say that she has completed the "sister site" to their main LCA site. I was asked to review it...Cindy did another great job. Check out the Pain Clinic site for LCA, P.C.  (August 2006)
   
• I recorded the voiceover for a demonstration piece for Decisionmark -- a very interesting technology company here in Cedar Rapids. They are a part of the Gazette family of companies, and provide technology products for TV viewers and TV broadcasters.
  
  You may know them best for their TitanTV web site that provides the most accurate and up-to-date TV listings -- listings that can be customized to your city and cable company, and then integrated with your PC-based Digital Video Recorder. These folks do some cool stuff. Thanks to David W. at KCRG, who helped produce their demo, for calling me for the voiceover.
  
  The voiceover was for their ChannelBuilder product for broadcasters. This is a software/hardware solution that integrates disk-based or live video, weather feeds and other data feeds and image libraries to easily create a digital sub-channel for TV broadcasters. Very cool stuff. If you're from around Cedar Rapids, the software creates and presents KCRG's Digital 9.2 channel, also available on Mediacom Cable.
  (August 2006)
   
• I made some updates this month for the Morning Star Studio web site.  Teri, Shanna and Julie have added more of their work to their online portfolio. If you need interior design, architecture or structural engineering support for new construction, additions or renovations to a business, school or other major facility, these are the people you want in your corner!  (August 2006)
   
• Van Meter Industrial has been a client for several years. They recently began updating their On Hold Message with new information each month. If you have a large volume of callers to your business, this is the way to go! Thanks to Lauren S. for the new scripts each month.  (August 2006)
   
• I produced a new On-Hold Message script this month with Garth at BL Robinson Electric Supply, a sister company to Van Meter Industrial. Garth and I played different characters in a two-voice piece he wrote for us. It was fun and Garth did a great job. Call BL Robinson and ask to be put on hold! :-)  (July 2006)
   
• I received word that The Zone ESPN Radio 1600 AM, for which I've been the promotion voice and audio producer (on a freelance basis) for the last three years is changing ownership soon. Not sure what that means for me, but it usually means someone else will be doing those things. It's been a great run, and I owe a debt of gratitude to David Welsh at KCRG for his encouragement, coaching, support and of course, all of the business he sent my way. It has been a fun and easy way to tell local folks about some of what I do by saying, "I'm the voice of The Zone." Most people light up and say, "Oh, that's you? That's cool!"  (July 2006)
   
• I made a great connection this month with "Jack" the morning on-air talent and Program Director at a recently relocated radio station here in Cedar Rapids, The New 89.1 The Spirit. Welcome to Iowa, Jack, and Cedar Rapids is glad to have The Spirit here. (July 2006)
   
• Welcome to new client The Insurance Exchange, LTD in Oak Park, IL. The Crosby Family and their associates provide a wide range of insurance services to their clients. I created an on-hold message for their business and provided them with a digital audio player. Thanks to Neidra and Thomas Sr.!  (July 2006)
   
• Welcome to new client Rock Solid, Inc. in Sioux City, Iowa. Hello and a big "THANK YOU" to Steve F.  I am the voice for their client "Square Tire" on TV and Radio in Iowa and Nebraska. (June 2006)
   
• I continue to record commercial voiceovers every week for my friends at OnMedia in Cedar Rapids and Dubuque, Iowa and Cox Media in Omaha, NE.  Thanks, folks!
  (June 2006)
   
• I consulted with new client Linn County Anesthesiologists, P.C. They created their own site and asked me to provide feedback on layout and design, and technical assistance for getting the site "live" on the Web. Thanks to Cindy and everyone at LCA! (June 2006)
   
• Welcome to new clients Drs. Hill, Heying, Heying and Winter of Cedar Rapids Eye Care. I'll be producing the On-Hold Message for their telephone system as they prepare to move to their new building in just a few weeks. (May 2006)
   
• Since my first voiceover recording in February for epic software in Texas, I've recorded a few more scripts for them -- and there's more to come. Vic and Robert are great folks to work with and create great animations and presentations for their clients. (May 2006).
   
• I'll be the 1993 Class Editor for the Morningside College alumni magazine. They attempt to get a class editor for each class, presumably to reduce the amount of mail/email that comes directly to the editors at the college. It's also a great way to keep in touch with classmates. (May 2006)
   
• Lots of voiceovers in April from the producers at Cox Media in Omaha and Mediacom Communications in Cedar Rapids, Dubuque and Waverly, Iowa. Thanks, everyone! (April 2006)
   
• More field audio work in April...I spent a day as the sound guy with a fun crew from Des Moines. We all met up in the Waverly, Iowa area to shoot a series of commercials for Iowa first congressional district candidate Bill Dix.
  
  The day was coordinated by DMN Media in Washington, D.C. (DMN = Dawson McCarthy Nelson) through their "Upgrade Films" production department.

  It was a good day, except for times we battled a serious amount of wind -- mostly during the time we were recording the candidate's stand-ups that would be basis for the spots. I managed to get most of the wind noise out using the Rycote softie cover on the ME 66 shotgun mic, and chose to point it up from the ground to give the mic more shelter from the wind. (Also, the giant light-filtering silk stretched on it's frame would have been in the next county if it weren't for all of the sandbags and people hanging on to it! I managed to dodge both the silk frame and a camera jib that fell that day.)
  
  The director of photography was Pat Anderson from Maryland. Pat was a very nice guy -- easy to work with -- and the spots look great. Pat did a good job of taking charge of the set to make sure each shot was ready to go. The lighting (Cory Doss from Cinequipt brought the gear), teleprompter and make-up folks all came from the Des Moines area.  (April 2006)
   

• I spent two days in Western Illinois in early March as the audio person for a commercial shoot for Square Joint, Inc. -- a production company in Milwaukee, WI. Thanks to freelance producer Steve Roeder for the call. Day One was a home interior and day two started very early -- 4:30 AM call at the hotel to drive out to a farm for sunrise shots. You'll be interested to know that the sun did not make any noise that I was able to capture. The cows I stood next to, however, did make noise -- and some other stuff.  (March 2006)
   
• I've recently worked on a couple of projects for St. Luke's Hospital in Cedar Rapids. The Marketing/Communications department there asked me to edit some video that was played as a pre-event "lobby loop." Matt Hoover - winner of NBC's "The Biggest Loser" reality show - lives near here and was their guest speaker at a heart month event that drew about 800 people. I'm also working with this team on the hospital's On Hold Message. Thanks and hello to Krista, Blayne, Laura and Sarah! (February 2006)
   
• I recorded a long-format voiceover for epic software group, inc. of The Woodlands, TX (just outside of Houston). They are producing a CD-ROM presentation for one of their biggest clients that is headed out to about 400 chemical engineers. A big thank you to Vic and Robert for the script! (February 2006)
   
• Welcome to new client E & R Creations in Swisher, Iowa -- the husband/wife team of Ray and Eleanor Burke own and operate a ceramics studio where they create beautiful pieces and teach others how to create their own special works of art. I'll be creating a web site for Ray and Eleanor and as well as building a marketing and communications plan. (February 2006)
   
• A big THANK YOU to Warren Byerly, owner of Visual Images Productions in Cedar Rapids. Warren is a videographer sought out by the likes of NBC (The Biggest Loser), ABC (Wife Swap) and the White House Press Office to shoot video in Eastern Iowa.
  
  Warren recently hired me to take my voiceover studio "on the road" to record voice talent on-site for a Girl Scout PSA he produced. I also provided the full sound track for the PSA.
  
  Warren also asked me to provide audio and general production support when he was asked by a Chicago communications agency to spend the day shooting video and interviews at the world's largest oat mill - Quaker Oats - here in Cedar Rapids (a division of PepsiCo). That was a fun day -- learning about and seeing their production process, as well as learning about their business there.
  
  It's fun to work with Warren. When you need video shot in Eastern Iowa, contact Warren Byerly at 319.360.7567.  (February 2006)
   
• I recorded two voiceovers for Metro Studios in Hiawatha, Iowa in January. Hello and thank you to producers Connie and Tami for the scripts! (January 2006)
   
• The On-Hold Message production work started in November for both Pengo and Sedona Staffing has been completed. I wrote the scripts for both companies, and of course voiced and produced the on-hold audio -- it's what I do! :-)  (January 2006)
   
• My annual Client Satisfaction Survey is now available online. (January 2006)
   

2005
 

• I was once again an actor in a piece produced by BVS Performance Systems. Thanks to Jeff for giving me a call. (December 2005)
   
• The On Hold e-store has moved to its own site and has a new brand!
  Visit the all-new "On Hold Web Store" at www.OnHoldWebStore.com!
  (December 2005)
   
• I am now an authorized reseller for Intellitouch - leading maker of On Hold business telephone products. Watch for the addition of the OHP 5000 CD Autoload Digital Player to the on hold e-store site. (December 2005)
   
• I've produced an Information On Hold message for new client B.L. Robinson Electric Supply. B.L. Robinson is owned by one of my favorite clients, Van Meter Industrial. Hello to Garth and the gang in Burlington, Iowa!  (November 2005)
   
• The on hold e-store has received a major facelift. Check it out! (November 2005)
   
• Welcome to new client Pengo in Laurens, Iowa -- a division of Paladin. Thanks to Dawn for making contact with me. I'm in the process of writing and producing an Information On Hold Message for the Pengo headquarters in Northwest Iowa (they also have Pengo plants in California and Minnesota). Pengo is the world's largest producer of augers and auger drives (as well as bucket replacement teeth) for the various heavy equipment users who drill and bore into rock and earth. (November 2005)
   
• Welcome to new client Sedona Staffing! Owner Carol Townsend has nine Sedona Staffing locations throughout Eastern Iowa. I'm writing and producing an on-hold message that will be used for all of the Iowa offices. (November 2005)
   
• Tim at Crosbyworks also tapped me to voice the TV and Radio spots for Cedar Rapids Mayoral candidate Kay Halloran. I'm pleased to report that Kay won the election! While I'm sure it's due to Kay's vast experience and talent, Tim and I can't help but think that his outstanding writing and my fantastic delivery might have had something to do with it, too!  (November 2005)
   
• I recorded a voiceover for what is hopefully the first in a series of Web/multimedia videos for a very stylish, classic Northern Michigan Inn. I recorded the VO for Tim at CrosbyWorks. Tim and I connected several years back when I voiced a couple of videos he was producing for Van Meter Industrial.  (October 2005)
   
• Welcome to new client Comcast Spotlight in St. Paul/Minneapolis, MN. "Spotlight" is the brand used by Comcast cable for their local production offices. Thanks to Dennis for sending his script! (October 2005)
   
• I've created and am offering a free American Red Cross donation image -- copy it and use it for your Web site to point folks to the Red Cross Hurricane Relief donation Web page. (September '05)
  
  Here's the image and the link information to copy for use on your Web site:
  
    Right-click on the image and select "Save as..." to save to your local drive.
  
  Anchor the image to: http://www.redcross.org
   
• Welcome to new client Bohr, Dahm, Greif & Associates in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. They have ordered a customized Information On Hold production, as well as a digital player to connect to the their office phone system. Thanks to Kirt N. for contacting me! (August '05)
   
• The newest part of my site is now live! Eric Wylie Productions is now reselling Invotel digital players and on-hold adapters on the On-Hold e-store. The adapters allow off-the-shelf (purchased at office or electronics retailers), 1 to 4 line phones to make use of their "hold" button by allowing pre-recorded audio to pass to the caller when placed on hold -- just like the big office phone systems. The digital player repeats the pre-recorded message stored on the True Audio Card chip. (August '05)
   
• Welcome to new client Advantage Pressure Pro in Kansas City, MO! I recorded voiceovers that introduce the product, as well as provide instructions for the easy installation. Thanks to Marketing Manager Joe H. for the call.
  
  You're going to hear a lot about this product and this company in the months and years ahead. Everyone will have this life-saving and money-saving product on their cars before long. (August '05)
   
• Welcome to new client Electric Innovations in Sioux City, Iowa. I'm writing and producing an on-hold message for the company. Many thanks to Scott C. for the referral! (July '05)
   
• I'll soon be reselling some telephony equipment that enables Music and Information On-Hold Messaging to work over regular, off-the-shelf phones up to four lines. Many of the folks I've contacted about my On-Hold Messaging productions don't have phones that are able to play messages on-hold. (The phones systems aren't large enough to have a KSU - the large, closet-mounted wall-box where all the phone wiring eventually connects -- it's there that you can plug in an audio source to use on-hold).
  
  I'm building a new Web site to re-sell products from Invotel - digital players and on-hold enabling devices. They are simple for business-owners to install and relatively inexpensive. On-hold messaging is a very effective, inexpensive advertising tool. The devices will be available for purchase online, or along with a production order for an On-Hold message. (July '05)  -- UPDATE - It's ready! Information On-Hold Store
   
• Wow, lots of PowerPoint lately. Howard R. at Rockwell Collins has engaged me to create some PowerPoint templates for him. (July '05)
   
• Through our friend Heather H., I was connected with Brian C. at BVS Performance Systems. I posed as a customer in a series of stills for one of their training modules. (July '05)
   
• Notice anything different?  Yep, I re-designed the Web site. There will be a few more tweaks over time, which you'll have -- Web sites are never really "done."
  (June '05)
   
• Miracle Sunday update -- I noted earlier in this Blog (see April entries) that I was coordinating communications for my church's Miracle Sunday endeavor (communication planning, letter writing, posters and some misc. coordination).
  
  We needed to shore up a budget that had expanded due to elements largely out of our control (insurance for staff and the way apportionments (payments) to our statewide church conference are calculated.
  
  We set our goal at $50,000 and the congregation responded with over $67,000 -- given all in one Sunday! It really was a miracle, and it's a privilege and honor to do such work for my church. It's most fun to work with Pastor Brian Milford.
  
  I suppose I should include that this was for Lovely Lane United Methodist Church.
  For the record, I'm also the chairperson of the Music and Fine Arts Committee and do quite a bit of singing at church (this is formal choir and solo work -- I don't just wander around the church singing aimlessly!)  :-)   (June '05)
   
• 55 demos were mailed this month to ad agencies and production houses in several states. I'm focusing right now on Des Moines, Omaha, Lincoln, Sioux City, Sioux Falls and a few other producers I've discovered in my Internet wanderings. (May '05)
   
• Several promos produced for The Zone in the last few weeks...I produced the annual Zone Bar and Grill Tour 2:00 and 1:00 promos (you read that right, a 2 minute promo/sponsorship!), plus the associated news, weather and sports update sponsorships. Sales are clicking there (keep it up, gang!) there are a dozen destinations on the ballot this year, plus presenting sponsors. (May '05)
   
• Van Meter Industrial has renewed our working relationship with the commissioning of a complete re-do of their on-hold message plus I've recorded all of the prompts (20+) for their IP-based phone system. Telecommunications for their 13 Iowa offices are managed from HQ in Cedar Rapids. Thanks very much to Amber in Marketing and Ron in IT -- great folks to work with. (May '05)
   
• Dr. Norm Workman's Workman Dental Web site is now online. Dr. Norm and I worked together to create what is essentially two sites, with one focused on Dr. Norm's  practice, and the other an e-commerce site attached to the practice. The product inventory is a bit sparse right now, but we'll be building that up and improving the look and content of the site over the next several months. (Apr. '05)
   
• My latest Voiceover and Production demo is now available!  (Apr. '05)
   
• The Web site I designed for Morning Star Studio is now live! Check it out at
  www.morning-starstudio.com !  Congrats and a big thank you to Teri, Julie and Shanna! (Apr. '05)
   
• With some recent equipment upgrades, I'm now able to offer VHS to DVD transfers as well as consumer-grade video editing services (suitable for home or business work). I started my career in communications as a video editor, so it's fun to be able to get back in that mode again. (Apr. '05)
   
• I've spent quite a few hours in March and April planning and preparing communication materials (congregational letters, poster design and phone calling scripts) for a "Miracle Sunday" fundraising event at my church.  (Apr '05)
   
• I recorded a voiceover for Metro Studios in Hiawatha for a client in Phoenix, AZ.
  My thanks to Connie for the opportunity. (Mar. '05)
   
• The voiceover work comes in regularly every month -- my thanks to all of my clients for their continued trust and support! (Mar. '05)
   
• Lots of work in March for Morning Star Studio and Dr. Norm Workman. I'm creating Web sites for each of these businesses that should launch in April or May. (Mar. '05)
   
• Welcome to new client Jim A. and the crew at Cox Media in Omaha! (Feb. '05)
   
• My voice was selected by client Cable ONE for a system-wide (19 states) customer information campaign. (Jan. '05)
   
• Welcome to new client Norm Workman, D.D.S. More about my work for Dr. Workman as it develops. (Jan. '05)
   
• I spent some time conducting interviews and overseeing production of a video for a Capital One IT employee meeting taking place in February. (Jan. '05)

 

2004

• December was spent doing a little bit of everything for just about all of my clients. Happy Holidays to everyone!
  (Dec. 04)
   
• Welcome new clients Shanna, Teri, and Julie at Morning Star Studio in
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa. MSS has tapped me to create their first Web site. (Nov. '04)
   
• Lots of work in the early part of November for Capital One. I collaborated with Patrick and Vance to create a speech and accompanying PowerPoint presentation for Capital One's CIO, Gregor Bailar, which was presented on 11/8 at cio.com's "CIO|05 The Year Ahead" forum in Scottsdale, AZ.  (Nov. '04)
   
• Welcome to three new voiceover clients!    (Oct. '04)
  
  - Aaron G. and Kurt F. at OnMedia Ad Sales in Minneapolis-St. Paul!
  
  - Krista W. and the crew covering all of the Cable ONE systems in Arizona!
  
  - And Dave S. and his team at OnMedia Ad Sales in the Quad Cities! 
   
• September was another busy month for both voiceover and consulting work, but there's still room for more clients! (Sept. '04)
   
• Welcome to Corey Insurance in Sioux City, Iowa -- my latest On-Hold Message client! Thanks to Greg for making the arrangements. (Sep. '04)
   
• August was a busy month! I've had good response to a post card mailing targeting American National Insurance agents in three states. I think I'll send more! (Sep. '04)
   
• There's more work for me with Capital One -- in addition to the video work noted earlier, I've now been called in to provide my corporate/employee communications consulting skills for their IT department. I just ended 9 years with MCI in an internal communications role, so I've got plenty of experience to put to work for them. We've wrapped up work on the 5-part audio series of talk-radio style interviews with executives. Good luck to Paige from Capital One, who's moving to Hawaii! (Aug '04)
   
• More scripts to produce for The Zone -- rate your favorite restaurant and more. (July '04)
   
• Demos are headed out the door this month to a select group of medium market TV stations. Thanks to Ken M., Dan R. and David W. for their testimonials for the marketing pieces. (July '04)
   
• My regular clients are all keeping me busy this month, plus my consulting with Capital One is expanding into video. The early part of my career was in video, so I'm comfortable there. It's good to get back into it. I'm spending quite a few hours planning and writing a new employee information video program. I'm also building PowerPoint presentations and pitching in on some other corporate communications work. (July '04)
   
• ALERT!  - Eric Wylie Productions becomes a full-time venture! I am dedicating my full attention to my business and will now be able to accept new clients!  (July '04)
   
• Thanks to "Just Diane" at Christ Episcopal Church in Cedar Rapids -- she invited me over to Images Productions to record some voice tracks for a piece they will be using with their custom Bible School curriculum. Believe it or not, I recorded a 'rap' about Mary and Martha. Word!  (June '04)
   
• Voiced and produced shows #4 and #5 of Capital One's "IT Talk" -- the final episodes in the series for now. (June '04)
   
• My daughter Rachel Anne Wylie was born on June 7, 2004!
   
• Lots of production again for The Zone this month. Most notably the Cushette Diamond Treasure Hunt series of promos -- the clues are all over town!  (June '04)
   
• Welcome to new client CableOne of Emporia, Kansas! Hello, Ken! Thanks to Scott in Sioux City for the referral!  (May '04)
   
• Congrats to Scott Unash of The Zone - named "Play by Play Announcer of the Year" by the Iowa Associated Press -- for the second year in a row! It's a pleasure to intro all of Scott's shows. (May '04)
   
• Hello to Nicki at OnMedia Ad Sales (Mediacom) in Dubuque, Iowa for the commercial scripts.  (May '04)
   
• Lots of commercial v/o's this month for KTIV-TV in Sioux City, Iowa -- hello to Dave, Bruce, Mike and Richard. (May '04)
   
• More voiceovers for Compass Advertising - Mike handles the ad work for Cedar Rapids Dodge (I'm the voice of CR Dodge).  (April '04)
   
• Produced a radio spot for Gazette Communications as they roll out the Wheels for You publication and Web site in Eastern Iowa. (April '04)
   
• Getting ready for Baseball with Cedar Rapids Kernel's show opens for The Zone. (April '04)
   
• Lots of work this month for The Zone! I'm not only the voice of The Zone, I also provide complete production on most station promotions. (March '04)
   
• I recorded a PSA for KCRG-TV9 this month -- there's a big exhibition baseball game coming to Cedar Rapids to raise money for the American Diabetes Association! (March '04)
   
• Welcome to new client Osby Insurance in Des Moines, Iowa.
  My thanks to current client John Behn for the reference. (March '04)
   
• My thanks to Warren at Images Productions in Cedar Rapids and Diane at St. Luke's. I'm Recording another v/o for St. Luke's Hospital -- this time a multimedia piece for their Hospice care center. (March '04)
   
• Welcome to new client Cable One in Sioux City, Iowa. Thanks, Scott!  (March '04)
   
• Congratulations to Capital One in Virginia on launching the second in their series of new executive interview radio shows for the IT employees. Produced and voiced by yours truly -- a.k.a "Jay Stevens." Hello to Paige and Patrick on the Communications Team. (February '04)