Clean Your Digital Dirt
Tonight, soon-to-be VCU grads will be getting their jam on before jamming up Broad Street tomorrow. In the next few weeks, a tidal wave of young, enthusiastic minds from thousands of schools will be spilling into the streets and hitting the pavement looking for hundreds of j.o.b.s.
Many of these neophytes will sit through a commencement, so excited about the future — and their Saturday night plans — that they will pay no notice to the advice of the wise, old sophist who delivers the commencement address. (They will also not know how to spell neophyte, nor will they know what a sophist is.)
I’ve had the chance to speak at several commencements, including one six years ago at Tidewater Academy, and I’ve always given the same advice — “Clean your digital dirt.” Your average 22-year-old has never known a world without the world wide web, and therefore has no expectation of privacy, but they are surprisingly unsophisticated on how the interwebs work.
The www is permanent. The web is finite. Google indexed it and made it searchable. 93% of employers search candidates’ social media pages. This means a potential employer can now see your political affiliation…and that selfie you took with your roommate’s bong on Snapchat.
It will take today’s grad six months on average to get a “real” job and sadly 53% of new graduates will be working in a career that didn’t require a college degree. The number one way to improve your chances would be to scrub your social media accounts.
I am thankful that there was no Facebook when I was in school. Otherwise, there would still be picture of me on the Internet, rocking a mullet and drinking vodka out of rugby boot. #cleanyourdigitaldirt
Monday, May 7 – Light Crew
We were getting used to having lots of interns at the MMMMM (Madison+Main Monday Morning Meeting) and now they’re gone. Never fear, the fresh crop of interns will return on May 21. We are looking forward to welcoming Account Management Interns Bobby Myers, Taylor Gobble, and Haley Miller as well as Copywriting Intern Christine Austin, and Graphic Design Intern Ty Petrin.
Tuesday, May 8 – Prof. Saunders
On Tuesday, I put on my professor jacket (tweed with patches) and presented my fourth and final seminar for the Presbytery of the James entitled The Power of Partnerships: Using Affinity Marketing For Your Church. Thanks again to Brandermill Church for hosting these great seminars, and the Presbytery of the James for sponsoring them.
Wednesday, May 9 – Mixing It Up with the Main-iacs
Wednesday was a busy day. Madison+Main hosted my monthly Council of CEOs meeting and it ended with chips and salsa at Casa del Barco in Short Pump for Madison+Main’s May Media Mixer. All of the Main-iacs had a great time on patio enjoying the weather and mingling with friends and many of our amazing clients.
Apparently, Communications Manager Kent “That’s Not How It Works” Brockwell has been rewatching “Narcos” on Netflix.
Thursday, May 10 – Boss Baby, M+M Edition
On Thursday, Account Executive Leanne Ferry, Kent, and Media Buyer Meredith Mason attended an AMA seminar about marketing with Alexa. She knows a lot about you already, so no doubt she would be a good marketing tool.
On Thursday, Senior Graphic Design Carissa Ghaffari‘s son Donovan dropped by the worldwide HQ of Madison+Main. The little charmer smiled at everyone except me, but did seem quite comfortable in my desk chair. #TakingOverAt5months
“I need TPS reports, today’s Wall Street Journal, and a nap!”
Calendar!
8th Annual Virginia Hops & Barley Festival
Westchester Commons | Midlothian, VA
May 12 | 1-8 p.m.
Beer lovers rejoice! The Virginia Hops & Barley Festival is returning to Westchester Commons on Saturday where attendees can sample more than 35 different craft beers while enjoying live music, great food, and more. Tickets are still available and proceeds will be distributed by the Rotary Club of Powhatan to charitable organizations throughout Central Virginia. Join us there!
CrossKeys Vineyards 10-Year Anniversary BBQ
CrossKeys Vineyard | Mt. Crawford, VA
May 26
Join our friends at CrossKeys Vineyards on Memorial Day weekend to celebrate their delicious decade of award-winning wines, exquisite food, and great events! They are hosting a Smoked & Oaked Barbecue on Saturday, May 26, live music from Morgan Dean, and their tasting room will by open until 8 p.m. as well. Make your reservations today.
Boxer Brief 5K
Stoney Point Fashion Park
June 9
The Boxer Brief 5K is Hitting Cancer Below the Belt’s (HCB2’s) largest awareness and fundraising event which attracts over 400 participants each year. Participants are encouraged to dress their bum and come out to run making this a very entertaining good time. Fun for all ages as there is a free kids 1/2 mile race, the “Caped Colon Crusader” Run for children under the age of eight. Plenty of music, active vendors, entertaining costumes and cute kids in capes — just a great morning as we bring awareness to colon cancer prevention. Email info@HCB2.org or visit HCB2.org for more information.
Friday, May 11 – Hops & Barley Bound
As classic 1980s party band Loverboy sang ever so eloquently, “Everybody’s working for the weekend,” but this weekend, I’m working for a beer (or two!) Tomorrow marks the 8th Annual Virginia Hops & Barley Festival at Westchester Commons and Madison+Main is proud to be a sponsor! Come join us!
And as National Nurses Week comes to a close, I thought I would share this “lovely thank you note that my wife Sue received from one of her students. I am told this is a thermometer. You be the judge. #ArtIsSubjectiveRight
Sometimes, a picture is worth a thousand laughs. Oh, kids…