Most people wouldn't be able to pick Yeardley Smith out of a lineup, but they'd be able to identify her as soon as she opened her mouth; the same could arguably be said of James Earl Jones early on in his storied career. This season marks the 20th year that Yeardley Smith has provided the voice for Lisa Simpson on the animated series 'The Simpsons.'
Both Yeardley Smith and James Earl Jones have gotten their biggest and most profitable breaks in the entertainment business primarily through their voices. January of 2009, however, is set to showcase and honor these actors' other talents. James Earl Jones will receive the Lifetime Achievement award from the Screen Actors Guild, while Yeardley Smith's first novel "I Loralei" will be published by Harper Collins.
Faceless Fame
Yeardley Smith and James Earl Jones Give Pop Culture a Voice
Trend Themes
1. Voice Branding - Opportunity for companies to develop unique and recognizable brand voices for marketing and customer interactions.
2. Voice Over Narration - Growing demand for voice actors to provide narration for audiobooks, documentaries, and other media.
3. Celebrity Voice Acting - Increasing popularity of celebrities lending their voices to animated characters and commercials.
Industry Implications
1. Marketing and Advertising - Disruptive innovation opportunities include utilizing voice branding techniques to create memorable and authentic brand experiences.
2. Publishing - Opportunities to capitalize on the growing audiobook market by hiring voice actors for narrating books.
3. Film and Television - Disruptive innovation opportunities in the field of voice acting, with celebrities bringing star power and recognition to animated characters.