In an annual act of self-immolation guaranteed to make me look like a moron, it’s time for predictions for 2022, both for the VO industry and the world at large.
Behold…..
INDUSTRY: Everyone will continue to panic about AI yet will be shocked at year’s end when most working talent have earned more than the year before.
THE WORLD: Sports prognosticators will have mouths agape as the Cincinnati Bengals upset the Green Bay Packers in the Super Bowl.
INDUSTRY: VO Atlanta will kick off a rocking 2022 full of live, in-person voiceover conferences that will fuel good spirits and revived friendships throughout the year.
THE WORLD: The rapid spread of Omicron will herald a clearer-than-expected end to the pandemic, and by the end of March the world will look a lot more like 2019 than anyone would have expected.
INDUSTRY: Commercials will become more and more geo-targeted, with different VOs attached to the same copy in different regions becoming more common.
THE WORLD: The expected party summer of 2021 will actually happen in 2022, leading to a short but intense economic boom. Travel stocks will soar starting in February.
INDUSTRY: More and more VOs will see the light that snark and conflict on social media isn’t a good look, regardless of who is right.
THE WORLD: Despite saber-rattling and skirmishes, neither the Ukraine nor Taiwan will be invaded in 2022.
INDUSTRY: 2022 will be the year of the anti-trend in casting…..with casting specs finding a happy medium between reads that have been trending hard for the last two years and more classical approaches.
THE WORLD: The Democratic Party will lose the House but retain the Senate.
INDUSTRY: There will be two or more dramatic mergers or acquisitions in the agency and management world.
THE WORLD: Emmanuel Macron will unexpectedly lose the French Presidency.
INDUSTRY: Jenn Henry will wear a tiara in public at a major industry event.
THE WORLD: Will take a deep breath and remember that we have more in common as human beings than we do things to fight over.
Here’s to a happy and successful 2022 for all of you!
So let it be written… So let it be done
The great and powerful OZ has spoken!!!
“Will take a deep breath and remember that we have more in common as human beings than we do things to fight over”. There is a lot here to hope for. I pray you are right.
Way to go out on a limb with the Jenn in a tiara thing!
You forgot one!
THE WORLD: We will all feel a prolonged noticeable disquiet, as if something is gravely missing, but we just can’t put our finger on it. Collectively, we will suddenly realize it is Betty White.
There. Fixed it for you. 🙂
Love it though JMC! Here’s to a great 2022, and may all your successful prognosticatIONS become successful prognosticatED!
You left out your prediction of the global lobster supply for 2022!
Limited due to personal consumption!
Written in stone and let it be done
Thank you J. Michael “Carnac!” Collins These are amazing! 2022….let’s GO!!!! 🙂
Really looking forward to VO Atlanta and meeting so many exceptionally talented people! Not sure about the Bengals thing, though, but I’ll happily eat my words if that comes to pass.
Thank you as always for these blog posts, J. Michael! Always a fun read!
“VO Atlanta will kick off a rocking 2022”
This, THIS and definitely THIS!
Looking forward to seeing everyone again.
Always the voice of reason and wisdom, J. Michael! I won’t comment on any sports or political predictions, but I do hope that most of your predictions do come to fruition. If the pandemic calms down, it will make it easier for me to cross the border and attend VO Atlanta! I can’t wait to attend an in-person conference and meet all of you fine folks in person!! Best wishes for 2022!
This is a read worth going back and reading twice! Lovely! Oh and I love your website! Sushi and wasabi soon? My treat!