There is life after ‘Steve from Beep Bank’

AT FIRST glance, Kevin Britz is just another businessman and voice-over artist. But, as you start talking to him, you realise he’s something else – you actually know him.

Britz is the voice of “Steve from Beep Bank”. The character became a phenomenal marketing success for First National Bank.

Britz was “Steve” for three years, making the fictional radio character so real that he became a household name.

“It was such an honour being part of that campaign. It is fun to know that it had the impact that it did on so many people,” the 37-year-old says.

The professional voice-over artist says obtaining the role was “divine intervention”.

He tells how he had retur ned from Thailand to South Africa after running to foreign shores to start a new life after his divorce.

“I was eager to start afresh. I wanted to run away from all the hurt and pain. But I learnt valuable lessons from that period. You can never run away from your life and who you are.”

Upon his return to South Africa, Britz polished his voice-over skills and clinched two adverts.

He had already added his profile to the Voice Bank when he got the invitation.

“I remember getting the call, saying there was opportunity for me to do work for FNB. The next day I walked into a room full of about 15 people and they were all waiting for me to start work.

“There were no auditions. I was the person they were looking for,” he says.

Britz says Steve was the brainchild of creative Barrett Whiteford, who passed away this year.

The pair, alongside a team of ad creative types, often brainstormed about developing the Steve character, understanding what would make him tick as that was what would bring him to life.

“Whiteford was a clever guy. I’d ask him a list of questions and make suggestions and he would patiently go through the process with me.”

When the campaign ran its course, the character of Steve was retired.

“Steve was the go-getter, a busybody and a happy chap, but he could also annoy people,” Britz says.

Even now Britz likes to think of Steve as a defined personality.

“I think he would be a person that goes to work wearing a blue shirt, black plants and a tie.

“He would have a pen in his pocket all the time. He definitely would be a chap who wears glasses,” he says.

As for Britz, he continues with the business of training people to do presentations, and improve their call centre engagement. Kevin Britz is also a singer, so there is definitely life after Steve.