Ring is on the hunt to find the first ever Scottish voice of its devices.
The smart home security company is launching its Voice of the Nation casting search across Scotland in a first for the brand.
Ring is holding auditions across Scotland to find one lucky Scot who will record a set of audio messages, called ‘Quick Replies’, that will be available across all Ring Video Doorbells in the UK later this year.
Ring’s Quick Replies act as an answering machine for the door.
Once activated, and someone rings the doorbell, the visitor will hear a pre-selected greeting with the option to leave a message.
The search comes as new research from Ring reveals the Scottish accent is one of the most endearing in the UK, with 44% of people agreeing it’s one of the friendliest.
82% of those from Inverness are proud of how welcoming the Scottish accent sounds.
Inverness residents can audition by simply sharing a video of themselves saying a popular Ring Doorbell Quick Reply: “We can’t answer the door right now, but if you’d like to leave a message, you can do it now.” and post on TikTok or Instagram, share through their Ring device and Ring app, or attend an in-person audition held in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen from August to September.
The search will be judged by a panel which will include Scottish radio DJ and television presenter, Edith Bowman, who will help select Ring’s ‘Voice of the Nation’.
It’s the first time Ring has worked with a member of the public to voice its Video Doorbell Quick Replies, and the first time a Scottish accent will be heard on Ring Video Doorbells.
Edith Bowman said:
“I’m so excited to launch Ring’s ‘Voice of the Nation’, as I am fiercely proud of my accent and the Scottish accent generally.
“One of the things I love is the variety of regional identities.
“It has beautiful rhythm and personality and each has its own unique tone and quality – something I’m thrilled is being celebrated with Ring’s campaign.
“I can’t wait to judge the entries and would love to see lots of energy and enthusiasm from those auditioning.”
Ring’s recent survey of 2,000 UK consumers also found that almost a third Inverness locals prefer their own accent to anywhere else in the UK (31%), with almost a quarter feeling this way because it reminded them of home (22%).
If they had the choice of hearing a famous Scot on their smart devices, almost a third (31%) of people from Inverness would like Billy Connolly, with 23% opting for David Tennant.
16% of Inverness residents said Kevin Bridges would be their top choice for voicing their Ring Video Doorbell.
The research also revealed the following opinions:
- Over a third (36%) of Brits said the Scottish accent has calming qualities, and 34% find it attractive.
- Invernessians think their playful cheekiness wins them points, with 71% saying the Scottish accent sounds charming.
- Inverness locals say the Scottish accent lends itself well to comedians, with 41% saying it sounds humorous.
- Of the regional dialects in Scotland, the Highland accent was voted the favourite accent to voice their smart home tech amongst people from Inverness (45%).
Dave Ward, Managing Director EU & International at Ring, said:
“Ring’s Quick Replies are a much-loved feature on our Video Doorbells.
“Many customers use them to instruct delivery drivers where to leave packages, or inform visitors they need more time to answer the door.
“Given the importance of these messages, we wanted to ensure our Quick Replies featured familiar and local accents and celebrated regional dialects around the world.
“We’re thrilled to begin in Scotland and can’t wait to hear a Scot on our Video Doorbells across the nation.”
Auditions officially opened today, Wednesday 21st August at 12 pm.
Members of the public can share a video of their recorded audition on TikTok by posting their clip with #RingVoiceoftheNation, or on Instagram by sharing and tagging @RingUK alongside #RingVoiceoftheNation.
Those with a Ring device and Ring Protect can enter by recording themselves filming their greeting on a Ring device, pressing the ‘Share’ button on the Ring app and choosing ‘Share with Ring’.
Ring’s Voice of the Nation pop-up auditions will visit:
- St James Quarter in Edinburgh: Saturday 31 August and Sunday 1 September 10am-6pm
- Union Square in Aberdeen: Saturday 7 September and Sunday 8 September 10am-4pm
- Silverburn Shopping Centre in Glasgow: Saturday 14 September and Sunday 15 September 10am-4pm
For full casting details please, check out this Ring blog
