The runaway success of the first Transformers movie gave us a bigger budget to work with for the sequel letting us add Optimus Prime himself as our spokesbot. When Optimus actor Peter Cullen became unavailable, the client asked me to fill the role.
Having served as writer, toy stylist and occasional voice actor for every Transformers TV commercial from 2002 to 2012, I think that makes me an honorary member of the Autobots.