News Archives

(A Brief Overview of SOME Highlights)

2006

John McGrath was signed as the image promo voice for Central PA's CW affiliate WLYH-TV.
Two US National TV spots that John McGrath voiced won Telly Awards for excellence in advertising. Both spots were for the music and movie retail chain FYE. One spot, entitled "Cave Robber" took top honors in the 'Retail/Specialty Store' category. The second award was in the 'New Music Donut' category. John is particularly proud of that spot as producers praised him for contributing to the creative process with a unique read. They actually altered the original graphics and added an extra character who pops up on screen at the end because of the way John said 'more.' Watch for it.
John secured new regional representation in Texas. He signed with Jenny Bosby at Pastorini Bosby Talent in Houston -- (713) 266-4488.
That's Ace, and John was hired as the the voice actor behind his voice. Ace is the mascot for the kids zone at the ACAC Fitness and Wellness Center in West Chester, PA. The 3-D animation is created by Trace Animation in Virginia.
John did three major projects for insurance giant Liberty Mutual in Boston.

John became the voice of FYE-For Your Entertainment in the US. Spots were produced in New York and aired nationally in the U.S.
John lent his voice to some characters on a new animated show called "Captain Flamingo," the creation of Breakthrough Films. John also worked on Harry and his Bucket Full of Dinosaurs, Totally Spies and Beyblade.
John the talking car. John McGrath's voice was heard coming from under the hood in a project for Petro-Canada.
John McGrath's voice was heard on the promos for the animated series Adventures in Odyssey on EWTN TV .

John signed on with new management in 2004, joining the roster at Fountainhead Talent in Toronto, one of the top agencies in Canada. He's represented by Julie LaFontaine at 416-538-6888.
On the commercial side, highlights included a couple of national spots -- for General Motors and UPS. Both were from the creative folks at MacLaren McCann ad agency.
The charity ShareLife had their best campaign ever in raising money for those in need in and around the Greater Toronto Area. John is proud of the small part he may have played in helping them raise much needed funds by appearing in their unique PSA, that used comedy to get across its message of hope. It was produced and directed by the award-winning Terry O'Reilly at Pirate Radio & Television. Click here to listen.
In animation, Peep and the Big Wide World debuted with John playing Fish. John also helped bring a little mouse to life on a new cartoon series called Harry and His Bucketful of Dinosaurs. And he played Tao on the hit series Beyblade (Season 3).

2003 saw John land a couple of new series. He appeared as various voices on RoboRoach, which stars Scott Thompson. He also began recording the voice of FISH on Peep and the Big Wide World, which debuted in 2004.
It was an award-winning year for Maggie & the Ferocious Beast. The series took the "Best Pre-School Program or Series" award at the 2003 Gemini Awards -- or what many in the industry consider the Canadian Emmy awards. So Kudos to producers Nelvana and creators Betty and Mickey Paraskevas. "Congrats Betty, Michael and all the gang at Nelvana. It truly is a great show," said John McGrath, who is the voice of Rudy on Maggie.
Montreal's CineMaria is busy shopping a puppet/animation mix pilot to various networks that stars John McGrath as Scrum. Caroline Maria, President of the company, also acted as director. "She's very easy to work with. It was great fun," said John.

When Toronto's City TV's top-rated morning show Breakfast Television did a segment on voice acting, they brought John McGrath in to talk about how to develop character voices for animation and puppets. CLICK HERE to read transcript of the show.John's writing talents got some public recognition.
The National Post and Toronto Star gave rave reviews to radio spots on World Youth Day that John McGrath wrote and developed for the international event in Toronto this past summer. John was quoted extensively in the Post article. John was also part of a talented group of artists who conceived and wrote the storyboard for a live musical and theatrical presentation at the event.