The new TomTom GPS Voice of New Zealand is...
Tuesday 2 November 2010, 8:37AM
By JML Communications
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TomTom today announced Ben Harper as the winner of the ‘Be The Voice of New Zealand’ competition. The Kiwi vernacular of Harper will soon be heard by thousands of New Zealanders and potentially millions of TomTom users worldwide.
During a month-long search, Harper beat out more than a thousand hopeful entrants to emerge as the next TomTom GPS voice of New Zealand. In addition to directing thousands of Kiwis around the country, Ben wins a Suzuki Swift RS valued at $22,900.
“Being named as the new and iconic Kiwi voice for TomTom is so crazy! It’s amazing. To also win a Suzuki Swift RS, that’s just the icing on the cake,” said Harper. “If you saw my current unwarranted, and unregistered, piece of mechanical goodness, you’d understand how totally stoked I am. I just hope that overseas TomTom users can understand the accent.”
Harper’s entry, ‘A guy with a voice’ was chosen as the winner based on a combination of criteria, including public votes, quality of entry and adherence to the audition instructions.
“Ben Harper has an iconic New Zealand voice that will resonate with all Kiwis,” said Nick Saisanas, Marketing Communications Manager, Asia Pacific. “We set out to capture that authentic Kiwi accent with the ‘Be The Voice of New Zealand’ competition and we have found that voice in Harper. Thanks to everyone who participated and made this a fun ride,” said Saisanas.
Harper’s voice will be recorded next week and available for download from TomTom HOME in time for Christmas. You can listen to Harper’s winning entry at www.bethevoice.co.nz.