DICK ORKIN
The man who parlayed a chicken coop trauma into a famous fowl called Chickenman, was actually plucked—so to speak—from the job of documentary maker for Group W (Westinghouse) broadcasting in Cleveland, Ohio. The plucker of the serious-minded pluckee was WCFL radio in Chicago. It was in Orkin’s position as News and Public Affairs Director for the top-rated station that he hatched the egg that became in international radio feature favorite. His follow-up feature, the Adventures of the Toothfairy, spread molar merriment from coast to coast.

Born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, Dick traces the idea for the legendary “Chicken who couldn’t fly” to his experiences feeding poultry in his grandfather’s house-attached chicken coop. “Chicken’s are neither smart or friendly. They didn’t mind biting the hand that fed them—and, boy, did they! I think the Winged Warrior—the dumbest crime fighter who ever bawked—was my perverse revenge on the bad-pecking poultry population.”
Dick first took aim at the world of advertising in Chicago in 1973, scoring national acclaim with comedy radio commercials for Time Magazine, GMAC, The Gap and many others. For more than three decades, his radio spots—mini dramas, actually, which NEWSWEEK dubbed, “The Advertising Theatre of the Absured”—have garnered countless trophies from virtually every advertising competion around.

In 2002, the National Association of Broadcasters inducted Dick into the NAB Hall of Fame. In 2003, amid much fanfare, and on a stage built to resemble the famous “Chicken Cave”, Dick received the Illinois Broadcaster’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Apparently, Dick has enough talent for two lifetimes, as he was further honored by the Pennsylvania Broadcasters Association and the Radio Advertising Bureau.
Dick attended Yale Drama Graduate School in pursuit of an MFA in Theatre and Speech and, in mid-career, took time out to secure an MA in Marriage and Family Therapy, specializing in Interpersonal Communications and, later Transpersonal Studies in the Ira Progoff Intesive Journal Process.
  CHRISTINE COYLE
One lovely day in downtown Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, the young and energetic Christine Coyle was on another Kelly Girl assignment, passing out samples of Tutti Frutti gum. She handed one to a nattily-dressed gentleman. It was Dick Orkin. They talked. They laughed. They talked some more. More laughing.

CUT TO: Hollywood, USA. Three months later, Christine is writing, producing, and directing funny radio spots for the Radio Ranch. Today, as Creative Director, Christine finds herself well—-writing, producing, and directing funny radio spots--acting as client liaison, brainstorming with writers, and generally being bossy. She also performs in many of the commercials. In the years that she’s been directing commercials for the Ranch, they have earned 107 Clios, 110 International Broadcasting Awards, plus scores of One Show Awards and Golden Apples.

With Dick Orkin, Christine has co-facilitated the Radio Ranch Creativity Workshops, RADIO: ADCRAFTING WITH SOUL throughout the United States, as well as Germany, Belgium, Ireland and South Africa. She was also a partner with Dick in the writing and production of two animated children's specials for CBS-TV. 

Christine graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Theater Arts, majoring in Acting and Directing, from Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, Illinois. She and her husband Johnny Johnson and two children live in Burbank, California.

This August, Christine, along with Dick will be honored at VOICE 2008. Christine expects to receive her lifetime achievement award in 2034.

  SANDY ORKIN
His official title is President of The Famous Radio Ranch, but don’t let that intimidate you. He cannot throw anybody in jail without a warrant.

Radio has always been in Sandy’s blood. He began his broadcast career at the tender age of 16 as a DJ for WKOK radio in Sunbury, PA. After attending Shippensburg University as an English Major and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, Sandy resumed his work at various radio stations, as well as ad agencies in and around the Harrisburg area.

In 1970, Sandy joined his brother, Dick, in Chicago where he established the Chicago Radio Syndicate and distributed programming to more than 2500 radio stations worldwide. Chickenman & Tooth Fairy remain in syndication to this day.

Along with his duties at the ranch, Sandy has successfully pursued a career in voiceover, narrating numerous A&E “Biography” shows, The Nashville Network’s “Life & Times” series, and 26 episodes of The History Channel’s “Civil War Journal”, among others.

When Sandy is driving he never turns left, preferring instead to make five right turns, sometimes going several blocks out of his way. Often he doesn’t actually get to where he’s going.