“Blitzbok Sevens Tournament” TV ad by Love Digital (written by, and starring, Gord Laws)
When budget is limited and you need to make a TV ad for a beloved national team, there’s only one thing for it… Do everything! With the awesome team at Love Digital, I conceptualised, pitched, scripted, voiced, and then starred in this Supersport TV ad for the Sevens Tournament in Nelson Mandela Bay, which took place […]
Gord Laws’: Voice Artist Samples on Soundcloud
A large collection of my voice-overs from the last few years in the Industry can be found here on Soundcloud. Mostly, these are from radio ads (extracting the audio from TV ads and corporate AVs can be tricky). Amidst these samples, you will find clips I’ve done for KFC, Subaru, Appletiser, Isuzu and The Springboks, […]
Tony the Pony from Benoni
A poem I wrote back in 2012 about an heroic steed who fought for love and his beliefs against oppressive cultural norms. And, racist zebras and stuff. I never got around to posting it on my old site, Mojodojo, and I dig it. So here it is. Hope you like it… Tony The Pony From […]
Business Day “Understand Your Country (Or Lose It)” Campaign Wins 2014 Silver Loerie
I’m very chuffed to report that the “Understand Your Country” three-TV-ad campaign that I wrote for Business Day during 2013 has been awarded a Silver Loerie at the 2014 Awards this weekend. The project was an (intensive) labour of love and I’m very fond of the ads. And, of the teams at Owen Kessel and Velocity Films that […]
Gord Laws Archive: “King of the Fat Guys” (Men’s Health), 2013 PICA-Award Winner
When I lost more than 65kg in 14 months during 2009/10, the process was as intense emotionally as it was physically. When you’re talking about losing more than what many people weigh, you’re talking big changes. Men’s Health wanted the story from the perspective of what a (then) 28-year life is like in one body, and how […]
“Materialism and Time” (or “Why I Don’t Want a New Car”) by Gord Laws
It’s strange how a person’s approach to materialism changes over the years. Well, mine at any rate. The things we want, the things we have, and other people’s things that we envy. Let me explain what I mean… I’ll start by saying that I’m no kibbutz-bothering hippy. I like nice things and I like being […]
Pen & Ink: “Metallica Drawings” by Gord Laws (1999)
I’m really attached to these old drawings I did during my final high-school year at Eden College Craighall in 1999. They were part of my Matric Art Portfolio. There were three in the Metallica series and one of a random face I found interesting. One of them I gifted to my dear friend Greg “Gump” Russell. What […]
Toon: “Threecan” & “Nake” by Gord Laws (2013)
I really enjoy drawing critters. They pop into my mind and I need sorta “release” them by banging them out on whatever’s handy; be it a napkin, some notepad or whatever. Sometimes they’re fairly straight-forward animals like these two here. Other times they’re a little more, umm… nuts. Lately, I’ve been trying to draw more, […]
Toon: “Hypercondramouse” by Gord Laws (2006)
I like this little guy, even if I do feel a bit guilty for deliberately creating a creature that is always petrified, anxious and paranoid. Convinced he’s always one rapid beat of the heart away from agonising death (or worse), Hypercondramouse’s existence is not a very peaceful one. Poor little guy. To be honest, I’m not […]
Toon: “The Dull-Eye Llama” by Gord Laws (2011)
I was sitting at Yamada Sushi with my buddy Dale, when suddenly I burst out laughing, as I do when this kind of idea strikes me. I think there’d been some controversy at the time regarding the actual Dali Lama not being allowed into SA, but it was in my consciousness for some reason or another. […]
Gord Laws Archive: Interview with Jonathan Davis (2008)
There are several good stories that have their origins in the night of Coke Fest, 2008. This Q&A that I conducted in Korn’s dressing room after the show – with me at least a sheet or two to the wind – is but one of them. After the show, there were many delays before the […]
Gord Laws Archive: Interview With Corey Taylor (2009)
This was an incredibly rad interview, and definitely one of my most memorable ever. I got to interview Corey Taylor (author, and vocalist of slipknot and Stone Sour) who is not only one of my all-time favourite singers and lyricists, but also a personality whom I greatly admire. What was even radder was the fact that he […]
Gord Laws (Lovingly) Parts Ways With OwenKessel. Gun Now For Hire
After two great years working with the good people of OwenKessel, Creative Director and Head of Copy Gord Laws has decided to move on and pursue the life of a creative mercenary. He will now also cease to write in the third-person, for the remainder of this article at least… “Thank you, champions, for the […]
Gord Laws Signs with Tongue Twisters for Voice Representation
It’s an exciting time. I’m proud to announce that I have been signed as a voice artist with esteemed Cape Town voice agency, Tongue Twisters. Having moved to Cape Town this year with an even greater drive to keep on growing as a voice artist, and having been represented by a JHB-based agency for almost […]
Six Simple Tips for Unblocking “Writer’s Block” (From a Guy Who Writes a Lot)
I don’t believe in “writer’s block” any more than I do “brick-layer’s block” or “accountant’s block”. I have, however, experienced acute cases of “really-don’t-feel-like-working-today” and the occasional bout of “this-is-a-particularly-crappy-task inertia”. Yes, writing – like any creative field – is made much easier by a stiff shot of inspiration, comfortable surroundings and an exciting, shiny […]
FHM is Dead. Long Live FHM!
I suppose we all knew the day would come sooner or later. And by “we”, I don’t only mean the public, but also the staff at South Africa’s original and best-loved men’s entertainment magazine. Especially the ones who served long tenures there. Still, getting the call from my homeboy, FHM Editor Louis Raubenheimer, on Monday […]
The Boy Who Forgot How to Sleep
Even with the edge filed off,Your fingers find my chalkboard.Screw my lid on from the inside,And try to punch some holes. The strength it takes to hold four feet,from the sharks beneath the see-saw.The cycle set to rinse/repeatThe drum not quite in time. Yes I cleaned the edges up,And yes, I guess, I sat down.But […]
High-carb/Low-fat vs “Banting”: a Man Who Lost 67kg (147lb)’s Experience
Liz – one of the people whom I try to help with weight-loss motivation and information by sharing my trials and tribulations – mailed me to ask whether I think Tim Noakes’ low-carb/high-fat Paleo diet is a good idea for she and her husband. I thought I’d share my reply – and my experiences – […]
FHM’s “The Break Up” TV ad, with OwenKessel
This is a really exciting piece of work for me. As you may know, or have read in the About Gord section, I spent a lot of years at FHM, where I am still very involved. It’s a great love of mine. So, facilitating the acquisition of the FHM ad account at OwenKessel and overseeing […]
Gord Laws Discusses OwenKessel & the FHM Ad Account on Adlip
Adlip is a site that discusses and analyses the SA Advertising Industry. They interviewed me about my role at OwenKessel, our advertising partnership with FHM South Africa, my role at the magazine and the kind of work we’re excited about making. Watch the short interview here.
Gord Laws Voice Samples: Supersport Varsity Sports TV promos
From time to time, I get to voice promo stings for Supersport’s Varsity Sports programming. It’s a fun voice to do, and a rad client to work with. Kinda like a one-click-down version of the KFC “Man vs World” ads. I imagine actually talking like this would be pretty intense. Ha, ha! [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/124526170″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” […]
Gord Laws Voice Samples: FHM 100 Sexiest 2013 Radio ads
A pair of radio ads I voiced (and wrote) for FHM’s annual 100 Sexiest issue, 2013. A lot of fun, these. They ultimately led to my winning the FHM advertising account for Owenkessel a few months later. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/124527032″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /] [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/124526471″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Gord Laws Voice Sample: Audiomilitia “Depression Hotline”
An ad I voiced for my buddies at AudioMilitia. They do amazing sound engineering and composition stuff. Written by the amazingly talented Stephanie Larsen. Note: I’m just the call-centre guy. The end-strap is my buddy Greg “Gump” Russell. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/124527381″ params=”color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true” width=”100%” height=”166″ iframe=”true” /]
Gord Laws Voice Sample: FNB “Rewards (Boet)”
A lovely little radio I ad I got to voice for FNB. Hopefully we’ll do more of them. Note: I only play “Mr. Bennet” in this. The call-centre guy is somebody else’s voice.
Pica Awards 2013: Gord Laws Wins “Health & Wellness” Category
The annual Pica Awards (referred to, somewhat optimistically, by some, as “the Oscars of the SA Magazine Industry”) were held on November 14, 2013. I was very pleased to learn that I won first place in the “Best Health & Wellness feature” category for the “King of the Fat Guys” feature I wrote for Men’s […]
Gord Laws’ Voice-overs: KFC’s “Man vs World” ads
A series of many, many TV ads (and numerous radio ads) I’ve voiced for KFC’s “Man vs World” campaign since 2011. Here are a few examples. Note: I just do “KFC presents Man versus the World” voice at the beginning and end. The guy singing in most of these is my awesome friend Shane Forbes. […]
Toon: “Advertising Robot” by Gord Laws (2013)
A little toon I drew after a particularly rough deadline recently: A robot that produces emotions on demand. People in advertising might relate… Gord Laws is an award-winning feature writer, copywriter, creative director and voice artist. He also draws a pretty good cartoon, cracks a good joke/brief and is for hire.
Toon: “Dogfish” by Gord Laws (2013)
A little companion I created for my dear friends Ryan and Jade Neebe. They’re not allowed dogs where they live, so I made them a fish that sits when they tell it to and wags its tail when they come home. Gord Laws is an award-winning feature writer, copywriter, creative director and voice artist. He […]
If I Was Better (2012)
A poem I wrote for my wonderful girlfriend Ingrid. Essentially, it’s all about how there are sometimes no words. I’d have dreamed of you all my life, But I’m not that good at dreaming. I’d sing you a song that stirs your heart, But I’m no good at singing. It’s funny how I talk […]
The Chronicles of Lucas (2006)
Probably my favourite ever piece of my writing. Certainly one of them, at any rate. I have a plan to one day write the whole of Lucas’ story into a full-length rhyming novel. I have it in my head. I hope I get a chance to let it out one day. I was a lot […]