Big Brother's Marcus Bentley on ntl's IVR

Russ · 06-03-2006, 18:36

Rang ntl today to get ACR added...and the new IVR voice sounds exactly like Marcus "Day 26 in the Big Brother house" Bentley

Nice to see ntl making some changes, the last IVR was annoying me a bit.

monkey2468 · 06-03-2006, 19:08

Its class! I can see a few customers finding it difficult to understand what he says though...

Stuart · 06-03-2006, 19:22

"Day 26 in the NTL call centre, James has been waiting in a queue for 4 1/2 hours and is getting rather angry..."

quadplay · 06-03-2006, 19:26

Sounds quite 'pally' - which will please some people, but really annoy others...

Fingy · 06-03-2006, 19:31

I like it, but I don't think it sounds very professional.

SLM · 06-03-2006, 19:40

It sounds like they are trying to bring back the "human voice" so as not to aggravate some people more than they already are!

Quote:

I like it, but I don't think it sounds very professional.

I kind off agree with you fingy. But it does sound more like a computer voice the more you listen.

Just thought what would a scouse one sound like....Alright there lar...
Or a manc....Hio welcome to th'ntl geaso.....

Well it made me laugh

quadplay · 06-03-2006, 20:08

Maybe they should have the right regional accent for the phone number detected as CLI?

SLM · 06-03-2006, 20:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by quadplay

Maybe they should have the right regional accent for the phone number detected as CLI?

Not really as you may be living in 1 place but come from another eg, you live in Manchester but are a liverpudlian. That might get up peoples noses more!

Graham M · 06-03-2006, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLM

Not really as you may be living in 1 place but come from another eg, you live in Manchester but are a liverpudlian. That might get up peoples noses more!

God can you imagine the automated voice with a rich Dorrrrseeet Accent ?

SLM · 06-03-2006, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

God can you imagine the automated voice with a rich Dorrrrseeet Accent ?

Somthing like this.....

Would one press 1 for faults, would one press 2 for................

06-03-2006, 21:10

or Hull, where, when someone rings it is a 'fern curl'

- sorry

Motorman · 09-03-2006, 09:12

Sounds to me like a really fake northern accent.
I called it twice and altready its starting to grate.

Its like a generic 'north of watford gap' accent.

Adding the human touch is great, just got to be done well.

Not suggesting a voice in the queens English, but somthing a bit more neutral would be better

Russ · 09-03-2006, 09:18

I think ntl would try to keep away from a neutral accent as it takes emphasis away from them being a 'regional' company - and apparently according to focus groups (who know it all, obviously) regional accents give companies a more 'friendly' and approachable image.

Derek · 09-03-2006, 09:29

Maybe all the charges from the new 0845/0871 numbers are being used to pay his fees for recording the voice?

Personally I prefer a neutral accent instead of a regional one when I'm calling companies. I think it sounds more professional than just grabbing someone from the floor and telling them to read whats on the card.

Pia · 09-03-2006, 22:25

Oooh i like it

Can't beat a sexy north east accent