The voice of Waze misses his exit
Ami Mendelman, whose tones direct drivers to their destinations in Israel, was paid $55; now he wants a cut of billion-dollar deal with Google
Ami Mendelman says he’s happy for the founders of Waze, who this week raked in hundreds of millions of dollars in the sale of their popular navigation app to Internet search giant Google. But he can’t help feeling he’s been left at the side of the road.
The singer and narrator who is the voice behind the Hebrew version of Waze directing people to their desired destination, on Thursday Mendelman told Yedioth Ahronoth that he was let down over not receiving a cut of the enormous sale.
“I’m Waze’s presenter. They’ve been using my voice since 2009. I give directions to hundreds of thousands of drivers,” said Mendelman. “I’m surprised that nobody from management approached me. Don’t I deserve anything?”
Mendelman, a member of Hakol Over Habibi (“This too shall pass, Dude”), a band that was popular in the ’70s and ’80s, said he was paid roughly NIS 200 ($55) for his Hebrew recording work. He now demands the company give him royalties.
“My calm voice represents Waze for the drivers. I ask that they reach out to me. I deserve royalties from the sale to Google,” said Mendelman.