Latest news with #TomBodett
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Longtime spokesperson Tom Bodett sues Motel 6
The Brief Tom Bodett filed a federal lawsuit against Motel 6, claiming the chain used his voice and name without authorization after their contract ended. The dispute stems from a missed $1.2 million payment and the breakdown of a nearly 40-year partnership between Bodett and the motel brand. Motel 6's parent company, G6 Hospitality, said it was surprised by the lawsuit but expressed appreciation for Bodett's contributions. Tom Bodett, whose warm baritone and iconic line "we'll leave the light on for you" made him the voice of Motel 6 for nearly four decades, is suing the motel chain and its parent company for alleged unauthorized use of his name and voice. According to a lawsuit filed Monday in Manhattan federal court, Bodett said he ended his relationship with Motel 6 after its new owner, India-based travel firm OYO, failed to make a $1.2 million annual payment due on Jan. 7. Their contract was set to expire in November. The backstory Despite the contract lapse, Bodett claims Motel 6 continued using his voice and name on its national reservation phone line. The lawsuit alleges violations of both his contract rights and federal trademark law. Bodett said he attempted to reach a confidential settlement that would honor his legacy and protect Motel 6's reputation and franchisees, but accused the company of responding with "misrepresentations, obfuscations, and delay tactics." The lawsuit seeks $1.2 million in owed compensation, along with additional damages and a share of profits. What they're saying A spokesperson for G6 Hospitality, the parent company of Motel 6, said the company was "surprised" by Bodett's lawsuit but indicated it hoped for an amicable resolution. "We appreciate Mr. Bodett's contributions over the past years," the spokesperson said. "Of course, we will continue to advertise keeping the lights on for you." Bodett, when contacted by email, told Reuters: "The complaint says all there is to say." Tom Bodett became Motel 6's lead spokesman in 1986 and said he coined the phrase "we'll leave the light on for you" during an unscripted ad-lib. His voice became synonymous with the brand's down-to-earth identity and was featured in both radio and TV campaigns for decades. In addition to his advertising work, Bodett is known for his appearances on National Public Radio and for narrating several Ken Burns documentaries. What's next The lawsuit, Bodett et al v G6 Hospitality LLC et al, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York. It could set a notable precedent for voice usage and contract rights in long-term brand relationships, especially as companies change ownership. The Source This report is based on original reporting from Reuters, which first detailed the lawsuit filed by Tom Bodett against Motel 6 and its parent company G6 Hospitality. The article includes direct quotes from legal filings and statements provided to Reuters by both Bodett and Motel 6.
Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Iconic ‘leave the light on' spokesman sues Motel 6 for shocking reason
There aren't many commercial voices you can hear and immediately recognize. When you hear Dennis Haysbert's baritone voice say offscreen, "You're in good hands," it lets you know you're watching an Allstate Insurance commercial before the logo shows up at the end. Related: Tesla's biggest rival slashes prices but faces major pushback Speaking of baritone, the late, great James Earl Jones wasn't just the voice of Mufasa and Darth Vader; he was also the voice of Allstate Insurance, along with CNN and Verizon. Other voices you might know from movies and television, but you'd never guess they're spokesvoices for your favorite consumer brands. For example, you probably don't recognize the voice telling you to stuff your fries in a McDonald's Quarter Pounder before stuffing the burger in your face as Brian Cox from "Succession." Still, it's hard to disobey his trademark delivery. Tom Bodett is one of the few commercial voice actors whose voice you can immediately match to his name. But a new lawsuit alleges he hasn't been compensated fairly. Image source: PortlandThis week, Tom Bodett, the legendary voice behind Motel 6 and its "We'll leave the light on for you" radio and television advertising campaign, sued the company for using his name and voice without his permission. Bodett says he cut ties with Motel 6 after the company missed a $1.2 million annual payment due on January 7, per their contract. Despite the breakup, the 70-year-old Bodett says Motel 6 and its new owner, India-based OYO, have been using the spots anyway, violating rights protected by federal trademark law. He says he's tried negotiating a confidential settlement that would recognize his role in helping build the company over the past 40 years, but the company has responded with "misrepresentations, obfuscations, and delay tactics." Motel 6 told Reuters, "We appreciate Mr. Bodett's contributions over the past years. Of course, we will continue to advertise, keeping the lights on for you." But the company's statement to TheStreet showed more promise in a resolution being reached. Bodett, who started doing Motel 6 commercials in 1986, says he coined his iconic catch phrase as an ad lib. "The brand's advertising campaign, featuring on-air personality Tom Bodett, began in 1986 and proved an instant success for Motel 6, turning the chain into a household name and winning industry awards," states the Motel 6 website. "The campaign has won more advertising awards than any other brand in the lodging industry, which is understandable, given that Motel 6 has the highest advertising recognition factor in the economy lodging category." Bodett's lawsuit seeks the annual payment, additional unspecified damages, and a share of profits. Some social media netizens backed him online June 10. "Tom Bodett, decades-long spokesman for Motel 6's success, is now suing the new ownership. They stopped paying him. They kept using his name and voice. He didn't want to work for them if they didn't want him anymore. But they kept delaying the negotiations. PAY THE MAN!" one user said. The Arena Media Brands, LLC THESTREET is a registered trademark of TheStreet, Inc.
New York Post
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Motel 6 spokesman Tom Bodett sues chain for using name, voice without permission
Tom Bodett, known for his radio and TV ads telling travelers that at Motel 6 'we'll leave the light on for you,' has sued the motel chain for using his name and voice without permission, after their nearly four-decade relationship broke down. In a complaint filed on Monday night in Manhattan federal court, Bodett said he cut ties with Motel 6 after its new owner, India-based OYO, missed a $1.2 million annual payment due on Jan. 7 under their contract, which was to end in November. Bodett said Motel 6 nonetheless kept using his name and voice on its national reservation phone line, violating his rights under the contract and federal trademark law. Tom Bodett, 70, is known for appearances on National Public Radio and in several Ken Burns documentaries Crazy Good Turns The 70-year-old author and voice actor is known for appearances on National Public Radio and in several Ken Burns documentaries, as well as for his smooth baritone. Bodett said he tried negotiating a confidential settlement that would recognize his role in building Motel 6, not hurt its image or franchisees, and provide 'graceful closure,' but the chain responded only with 'misrepresentations, obfuscations, and delay tactics.' The lawsuit seeks $1.2 million, plus additional unspecified damages and a share of profits. A spokesperson for G6 Hospitality, Motel 6's immediate parent, said it was surprised by the lawsuit but hoped to resolve the dispute amicably. 'We appreciate Mr. Bodett's contributions over the past years,' the spokesperson said. 'Of course, we will continue to advertise keeping the lights on for you.' Reached by email, Bodett said: 'The complaint says all there is to say.' Bodett had been Motel 6's lead spokesman since 1986, and said he coined 'we'll leave the light on for you' as an ad-lib. Motel 6 has more than 1,450 locations in the United States and Canada, according to its website. Bodett had been Motel 6's lead spokesman since 1986, and said he coined 'we'll leave the light on for you' as an ad-lib. REUTERS OYO is a global travel technology unit of Oravel Stays, which bought Motel 6 from Blackstone Real Estate for $525 million in December. The case is Bodett et al v G6 Hospitality LLC et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 25-04854.
Reuters
10-06-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Longtime Motel 6 spokesman Tom Bodett sues chain over using his name, voice
NEW YORK, June 10 (Reuters) - Tom Bodett, known for his radio and TV ads telling travelers that at Motel 6 "we'll leave the light on for you," has sued the motel chain for using his name and voice without permission, after their nearly four-decade relationship broke down. In a complaint filed on Monday night in Manhattan federal court, Bodett said he cut ties with Motel 6 after its new owner, India-based OYO, missed a $1.2 million annual payment due on January 7 under their contract, which was to end in November. Bodett said Motel 6 nonetheless kept using his name and voice on its national reservation phone line, violating his rights under the contract and federal trademark law. The 70-year-old author and voice actor is known for appearances on National Public Radio and in several Ken Burns documentaries, as well as for his smooth baritone. Bodett said he tried negotiating a confidential settlement that would recognize his role in building Motel 6, not hurt its image or franchisees, and provide "graceful closure," but the chain responded only with "misrepresentations, obfuscations, and delay tactics." The lawsuit seeks $1.2 million, plus additional unspecified damages and a share of profits. Motel 6 had no immediate comment on Tuesday. Bodett had been Motel 6's lead spokesman since 1986, and said he coined "we'll leave the light on for you" as an ad-lib. Motel 6 has more than 1,450 locations in the United States and Canada, according to its website. OYO is a global travel technology unit of Oravel Stays ( opens new tab, which bought Motel 6 from Blackstone Real Estate for $525 million in December. The case is Bodett et al v G6 Hospitality LLC et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 25-04854.
