For Your Viewing Pleasure
With tens of millions of Americans cutting the cord, the way we watch and consume video content has drastically changed over the past few years. Nothing has had a more profound effect on this macro-trend than YouTube, the online video platform that Google purchased for the ungodly sum of $1.65 billion in 2006. These days, I am much more likely to watch a series of videos on the web than a TV series on TV. Add to this subscription services like Netflix and Hulu, the blurred lines between web and broadcast have become even blurrier. (Wait a minute…is blurrier even a word? #Hmmm)
The worst part for me is what I call the “wormhole.” I can watch one video on YouTube and be quickly sucked into a virtual vortex. I go there to watch a 2-minute video and find myself wondering what happened to the last hour of my life as I clicked on – and careened off – a seemingly endless stream of entertaining videos.
Through the years. I have found some of the most bizarre and fascinating YouTube channels. Some I found myself. Others were sent to me by friends. #ThanksJoshBarber Many of these do not get millions of hits. In fact, some are relatively obscure, but I have bookmarked them and now it’s time to share some of my favorites with you. And don’t worry folks, most of these are SFW. (That means safe for work.)
Steve1989MREInfo has 1.5 million YouTube subscribers. Steve boldly declares, “I’ll eat just about anything!” and has proved it on many occasions. This Lakeland, Florida native videotapes himself opening up combat MRE’s (meals ready to eat) and reviews them like a restaurant critic. This video is one of my favorites where he opens up and eats a can of C rations made in 1942. (Thanks to Jennifer for sharing.)
Uwe Baltner does not have a great singing voice. But he did earn 1.6 million Instagram followers because of it. This random YouTuber from Germany drives his Fiat 500 through the Bavarian countryside, singing pop hits loudly by himself. His subscribers and Instagram followers send in requests and Uwe delivers. There’s nothing funnier than seeing a middle-aged German man signing Ayy Macarena by Tyga in Spanish and English. (Derek’s favorite, by the way.)
Matt Carriker is a mild-mannered veterinarian who has more than 1.1 billion views on his YouTube channel. He describes himself as a redneck scientist who will shoot, blow up, or demolish just about anything on his central Texas ranch. Have you ever wondered if LEGO’s were bulletproof? Spoiler alert. They are not.
Bad Lip Reading is one of my all-time favorites. The channel is owned by an anonymous video editor in Los Angeles who voices sporting events, political debates, TV shows, and movies.
And hands down this is my all-time favorite fishing show. Fishing with Luiza is incredibly informative and entertaining but don’t take my word for it, check it out for yourself. #TheReelDeal
Monday, February 3 – Best and Worst Super Bowl Ads
I kicked off the week talking about the 2020 Super Bowl ads. I played Monday Morning QB on WRVA with John Reid. I also was able to sit down on set with Bill Bevins and Jessica Knoll on Virginia This Morning. This marks my tenth year of “Monday Morning Quarterbacking” the Super Bowl ads. Like many others this year, my favorite spot was the Loretta ad by Google.
Also on Monday, Account Executive Allison Nida and Creative Director Art Webb traveled to Fredericksburg for a photoshoot with our friends at A. Smith Bowman Distillery. They took some great shots. #PunIntended
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xSxXiHwMrg
Tuesday, February 4 – Jolly To See Molly
On Tuesday, Molly “Madame President” Whitfield traveled down the rails from Baltimore to Richmond to work in the office this week. We finalized our 2020 company goals and shared them with the team. We’re only two months in, but business is boomin’.
In the afternoon, several members of the M+M team jumped into the Jeep and met with our friends at Virginia Commonwealth Bank. We had been diving deep into their business the past few months and were excited to present our brand and marketing report. Great meeting. Great people. Great plans. #StayTuned
Wednesday, February 5 – Riding The Wave
The Madison+Main-iacs enjoyed a real treat on Wednesday. Our friend Marly Fuller with Alpha Wave Adventures came by the office to teach us all about Alpha Waves, an electrical activity of the brain that occurs when conscious and relaxed. This is where the best creative ideas come from, so of course we wanted to learn more. Marly was awesome sauce! She taught us so much and led us through several cool exercises and visualizations. Check out her business here if you’d like to improve creativity at your office.
I’ve gotta tell ya, I never thought I’d go surfing waves again, let alone in February.
Thursday, February 6 – Gloomy With Gertie
Thursday was wet, rainy, and miserable. It seemed as though half the staff was out sick and the rest of us who made it into work felt like funk. So I took precautions. I ate kosher chicken noodle soup for lunch and had a big bowl of Vietnamese Pho fo’ dinner. I grabbed a box of tissues and hand sanitizer, locked my door, and put my head down to work. I got a lot done but there were points during the day where I thought I was the only person in the building. It’s a good thing that Gertie The Love Beagle kept me company all day and it only cost me a handful of Milk-Bones.
Friday, February 7 – On The Move
This afternoon, we met with the Fredericksburg-based team from All American Mobility, Virginia’s best provider of mobility services and equipment. All American Mobility helps people throughout Virginia move towards independence by providing high-quality mobility equipment at work and at home. Their dedicated team of mobility experts can recommend and install walk-in showers, stair lifts, wheelchair ramps, car scooter carriers, and much more. We’ve only been working with them for a short time, but we are excited to help them reach more people who need their services. Check them out here.
Tonight I’ll be cheering on my beloved VCU Rams as they face off against a gang of Charlotte, North Carolina prep school kids a.k.a. the Davidson Wildcats. And one thing is certain — these Atlantic 10 Conference matchups are always fun to watch. According to ESPN’s Matchup Predictor, the Rams have a 46 percent chance of winning. But as the famous quote goes, ”There are lies, damned lies, and statistics.” (Most people think this quote was uttered by Mark Twain. It was not. It was attributed to Charles Haddon Spurgeon. #MandelaEffect)
A Few of Our Favorite Events
Virginia Spirits Roadshow: A. Smith Bowman Distillery
1 Bowman Drive | Fredericksburg, VA
February 8, 2019 | 12 – 5 p.m.
Come join us for the Virginia Craft Spirits Roadshow at A. Smith Bowman Distillery! Tickets will include all samples of artisan spirits as well as craft cocktails from numerous Virginia distilleries; while guests can mix, mingle, and engage with Virginia distillers firsthand! Purchase any bottles you enjoy to take home — they’ll even store them at their concierge station while you enjoy the event. Save money by purchasing your tickets at the advanced promo prices vs. the day of: $20 for one general admission, or $35 for two general admission tickets.
Strike Out Cancer
11532 Hull Street | Midlothian, VA
February 12, 2020 | 4 – 6 p.m.
February is National Prevent Cancer Month and to celebrate, HCB2’s Strike Out Cancer event will return for its 6th year! Join us at Bowl America Southwest to cheer on four Chesterfield County high schools (Clover Hill, Manchester, Cosby, and James River) as they battle it out on the lanes to raise awareness of colorectal cancer prevention. Want to register a team of your own? There’s still time! Sign up today.
CowanGates & Salisbury Country Club Memorial Blood Drive
13620 West Salisbury Road | Midlothian, VA
February 18, 2020 | 2 – 6 p.m.
The American Red Cross states that every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood. Make a difference and schedule your blood donation by contacting Morgan Barclay at mbarclay@salisburycountryclub.com.
Got an upcoming event you want to share? Can we come? Send us the deets!
“YouTube is like the new reality television.”
— Connor Franta, Professional YouTuber since 2010