Voice is Important

James Earl Jones, the iconic actor known for voicing Darth Vader in the "Star Wars" franchise and Mufasa in 1994's "The Lion King," died yesterday at his home in Pawling, New York. The cause of his death was not disclosed. He was 93.

Jones' career spanned over 70 years on the screen and stage, earning him Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony awards (though his Oscar was honorary). Known as an EGOT, only 26 other entertainers have achieved the feat. Born in Mississippi in 1931, Jones was raised by his grandparents and overcame a childhood stutter. After graduating from college and serving two years in the Korean War, he made his Broadway debut in 1958 and movie debut in 1964’s “Dr. Strangelove." Jones starred in over 80 films, including as King Jaffe Joffer in the 1988 comedy "Coming to America" and its 2021 sequel and as author Terence Mann in the 1989 sports fantasy "Field of Dreams."

I remember taking the kids to see the Lion King numerous times at the theater and each time the voice of Mufasa became larger than life. Voice and tone are extremely important in brand recognition. Voice and tone does not have to audible, but many times is captured through colors, shapes and memorable fonts. Brand tone of voice is a consistent way of conveying your brand message to your audience, The way a brand looks is just as important as the way it sounds. Your tone of voice will stem from your brand personality and your brand values. Your brand voice acts as a delivery method for the characteristics of brand personality which ties into developing a human persona.