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VOICES-VOICEBANK MERGER
Larry Hudson, Voice Actor, Trainer:
'This Is Huge Wake-Up Call - Stay Alert'
August 16, 2017
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By Larry Hudson

Voice Actor, VO Heaven Group Leader
www.VOHeaven.com


The news of VDC acquiring Voicebank is of great concern to me and my voice over business - but not because I fear change.

I know change is imminent. And as one who has been in multiple businesses over the course of my life, I have learned to stay loose, be ready to change course at a moment's notice and keep creating from nothing.

VDC completely disregards and dismisses the voice over actor as a valuable entity. With the Voicebank acquisition, this lack of regard now spills over into the talent agency world, as well.

Which means, the voice over jobs that came from my agents through Voicebank are now subject to the same abuse, lack of transparency and theft of up to 70% of the fee paid by the client.

SEVERED ALL TIES

I made the decision in November of 2015 after the Graeme Spicer interview with VDC CEO David Ciccarelli, that I would have nothing to do with VDC, and severed all ties.

Many people whom I know and love have continued to generate work from VDC since those unethical practices were uncovered. They have their justifications for doing so, and I can honor their choice.

However, as I see it, that choice to continue to do business with VDC, is in part, the reason VDC was able to get $18M from investor Morgan Stanley.

I don't believe we have seen the end of their acquisitions, either. They didn't spend $18M for Voicebank. There is still money left in the bank for more acquisitions to strengthen their position.

Stay alert.

On the positive side, this is a huge wake-up call for everyone in all sectors of this industry, especially those that have been ignoring this eight-hundred-pound P2P gorilla.

The full impact has yet to be revealed. I plan on staying vigilant and ready to modify my business as necessary to continue to be successful.  

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