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Clive Desmond is writer, producer, un-actor and podcaster. He has worked in the recording and communications business since 1976.

The son of British immigrants; his father an RAF doctor, his mother a social-climber, Mr. Desmond was born in Ottawa 1957;. Soon after birth, the family moved to Buffalo NY (the 81st largest city in the USA) where the introverted television-addicted child would remain until 1962. At 7, Mr. Desmond returned to Canada and attended The Brown School, Deer Park Middle School and Oakwood Collegiate Institute. In 1975, at 17 Mr. Desmond attended Ryerson University (Radio and Television Arts Department) for two semesters before dropping out.

Career
In the summer of 1976 Mr. Desmond secured his first professional appointment as a production assistant at Morgan Earl Sound Toronto. The studio (operated by a clever coterie of producers, musicians and engineers) was one of the most successful audio production companies of its era. Although he would barely shave, Mr. Desmond was soon writing radio commercials for host of clients including SONY, Toyota, Chrysler and numerous beverage companies.

In 1978, Mr. Desmond was recruited by Foster Advertising. His first “agency,” Mr. Desmond toiled on retail and public utility accounts. During the late 1970’s, (again barely an adult) Mr. Desmond joined a bastille of young writers at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. He contributed to a number of failed and successful shows including Vinyl Café.

In 1980, Mr. Desmond was recruited by Cockfield Brown advertising but left after a creative dispute with the receptionist.

Between 1981 and 1985, Mr. Desmond maintained a lucrative freelance career that combined his aptitude for writing, recording and producing. During this interval (now in his early 20’s) Mr. Desmond’s work for Heineken, Volkswagen and Quaker Oats resulted in numerous advertising awards including Clio and Hollywood Television Festival and One Show.

“First We Take Manhattan.” The New York Years 1985 – 1990
In 1985 Mr. Desmond moved to New York City. He lived on Manhattan’s debatably fashionable Upper West Side. After being recruited by McCaffrey and McCall Advertising, Mr. Desmond worked primarily on ABC Television and Mercedes Benz. While at McCaffrey, Mr. Desmond began his friendship and association with satirist-illustrator Bruce McCall of The New Yorker.

In 1990, (while the ad world was in the midst of a merger acquisition feeding frenzy) Mr. Desmond returned to Toronto and was recruited by the ad agency Harrod and Mirlin. While at H+M, Mr. Desmond worked on Levi Strauss and Suzuki Automobiles. In 1992, Mr. Desmond was recruited by Einstein Brothers Music Company. Teamed with producer Steve Convery, the two recording nerds (there is no other way to put it) produced hundreds of radio and television commercials.

In 1993, Mr. Desmond and Mr. Convery founded Louder Music and Sound Design Inc. For the next decade, Louder produced thousands of television and radio ads.

In 2003, after a decade long run, Louder shuttered its doors. Mr. Desmond moved to Silent Joe Inc, where he produced 3 steam-punk genre audiobooks (The Pinkerton Papers written by David Luchuck) for Harper Collins Digital. Mr. Desmond then produced the audiobook memoir “Thin Ice” by Bruce McCall. At this time, Mr. Desmond won a Gold Lion for his contribution to a series of commercials for Viagra – the popular erectile dysfunction medicine.

In the spring of 2016, Clive Desmond created a podcast series called PodPlanet.org

Eventually (and after much networking) the 24 episode non-fiction anthological show (now entering its third season) came on the radar of NPR (KCRW in Los Angeles) Mr. Desmond was commissioned to write 2 one-hour episodes for The Organist: a monthly experimental arts-and-culture program and podcast hosted by Andrew Leland and produced by Ross Simonini.

Mr. Desmond’s episode for The Organist titled “A 700-Foot Mountain of Whipped Cream,” (one man’s journey through the eccentric world of radio commercials) was picked up by Radiotopia and 99% Invisible with Roman Mars. Part II of “A 700-Foot Mountain of Whipped Cream,” is currently in production for release later this year.

Affiliations
Clive Desmond is a member of ACTRA, American Federation of Musicians, AIR (Association of Independents in Radio) and PRX (Public Radio Exchange)

Voice and theatrical representation, Paul Smith ETM Toronto.