Dennis Clarke works for Dennis Clarke Ltd.
He has a COOL JOB as Voiceover Announcer.

His Gig:
Clarke has been doing voiceover, announcing and DJ work for 30 years. He also teaches voice and articulation in radio at New York University and City College in Florida. His voice has been used in over 600 radio and television commercials in the past 10 years.

A Day In The Life Of:
Clarke spends a big part of the day running around Miami, Dade and Palm Beach counties meeting with potential clients. "It's a big market and I need to keep my face in front of companies so they continue to hire me." Clarke says that there are over 100 major talent agencies in Florida, a lot of work opportunity and a lot of competition. He sends companies regular mailings and constantly calls them. He also has his own website where he advertises himself as a freelance voiceover/announcer.

A day in the studio involves reading scripts and dozens of sound recordings. "A lot of times I don't see the scripts until I'm in the studio," he said.

Career Path:
As a teenager, Clarke took control of his own destiny. He was working at a shoe store in a local mall when he made a bold career move. There was a mobile radio crew broadcasting live from the shopping center and Clarke walked up to the window and asked the DJ if he wanted something to drink. He was always interested in DJ and announcing so he saw this as a way to meet someone in the profession. A few minutes later he was inside the mobile set-up delivering a coke and talking about being a DJ. "I told the DJ that I wanted to do this for a living. He told me to send in a demo tape and he would listen to it." Clarke sent in an audition tape and didn't hear anything for three months. "Then they called me and asked if I wanted to do a Sunday night church show. I said YES." He scored the job as disk jockey at the small radio station in Detroit when he was 15 years old. Since then he has worked at WMAQ radio in Chicago and Westinghouse Broadcasting in New York City. His broadcasting career has spanned decades, including stints teaching radio, TV and film to college kids and as host and anchor at more than a half dozen radio and television stations in Detroit, Cincinnati and South Florida. Dennis works as a news anchor and editor for WIOD Newsradio 610 Miami, WTMI-FM Miami and WJNO Newsradio 1290 West Palm Beach.

When asked how he made a name for himself in radio and television he said, "I was a persistent little devil!" Clarke says the key is never giving up on a job. Get your name out there anyway you can he said.

High Five:
"I love this business so everyday is great."

Down Low:
"Keeping in day to day contact with people and keeping my name out there."

Words from the Wise:
"You need experience in this industry. Learn to be versatile. Intern at as many places as possible and get exposed to the industry." Clarke suggests getting a job at a small radio or tv station in order to get ia foot in the door. "This way you can put it on your resume," he said. "It's an ultra-competitive market. Get used to rejection."

Education:
Degree in Radio and TV from the University of Detroit.