Boom Goes The Cannonball
Last week, the Richmond Ad Club honored the best and brightest in the advertising, design, and production communities in the Richmond region. The 60-year-old Ad Club’s biggest night has always been The Richmond Show, an event where highly respected creative executives come to town and judge work from local agencies and hand out cannonballs (proud to say that Madison+Main has won our fair share of these awards over the years). In addition, student work is entered and scholarships are awarded but the highlight of the evening has always been when the Club names its honoree for Ad Person of the Year.
Eleven years ago, the Club honored me as Ad Person of the Year. This year, I am proud to say that M+M’s very own Molly Whitfield received the honor. Since Molly is more comfortable working behind the scenes, I felt it was my job to let you guys know that she won. No one has ever accused me of being shy. The Richmond Show was postponed several times and because of COVID-19 the Club realized that “the show must go online.” The organizers of the Club did a great job producing a one hour and three-minute video highlighting the work, the winners, and the scholarships. Unfortunately, Molly’s moment in the limelight lasted about eight seconds. No big tada. No speech. Just a simple announcement squeezed between a bank print ad and a CarMax TV spot. It was a night to celebrate the work, but we were sad that we could not give Molly the celebration she deserves. The Ad Club website says, “The Ad Person of the Year award recognizes advertising professionals who have made a big impact in Central Virginia through their creative energy and inspirational leadership” and this is why Molly was so deserving of the award.
She’s creative. She’s inspiring. She’s a leader. And I am so proud to call her my colleague and my friend. While she didn’t get her “15 minutes of fame,” Molly is perfectly fine with that. She’s probably happier that she didn’t have to put on heels and make a speech. For the record, every time Molly puts on heels, she looks down at me. #sixfootplusinheels Although she is perfectly capable of giving an inspirational speech, she is more comfortable hiding in the shadows of the limelight.
Regardless, I can say on behalf of the entire team that we are “proud as punch” to have Molly leading our team. I am going to lobby the new Ad Club Board heavily over the next year to see if they will let Molly make her speech next April…without a mask…after a couple of cocktails…in front of a big room of cheering fans. Molly doesn’t seek the limelight but she deserves to be in it. Read more about the show and Molly‘s special award at Richmond BizSense.
Monday, July 20 – Did Someone Say Bourbon?
While Account Executive Allison Nida was delivering packages to our clients at A. Smith Bowman Distillery, she snapped a shot of this yard sign we designed to assist with their reopening safety procedures and requirements. The distillery is back and so are visitors! Looking for something to fun to do? Why not take a trip down the road to Fredericksburg and tour Virginia’s oldest distillery and maker of the World’s Best Bourbon.
Tuesday, July 21 – My Dogs Are Barking
On Mondays, we have an hour-long all-team meeting and Tuesday through Friday we have a 15-minute meeting that we call the Production Huddle. Of course, for the last four and a half months we have been doing everything via Zoom as employees work from home, but we are still trying to keep our fun, kooky culture alive. Office Manager Mollie Banks and Director of Business & Marketing Leanne Ferry have done a great job of organizing fun, interactive activities that keep the team engaged. On Tuesday, they completely ran out of ideas and turned the meeting over to Client Services Manager Katie “The Boss” Rossberg, who lead us in a family-friendly version of the game, Would You Rather? Katie asked one of the most important questions in the history of mankind — “Would you rather have snakes for arms or chihuahuas for feet?” After 20 bizarre minutes, we realized that the agency — just like America — was divided into two camps. For the record, I said that I would rather have chihuahuas for feet. I still don’t know why but all I can say is, “my dogs are barking.”
Wednesday, July 22 – That’s Mr. Brockwell To You
On Wednesday we celebrated Communications Director Kent Brockwell’s 4th Anniversary with the company. I am happy to report that Kent survived his brutally honest employee evaluation and only cried twice. Kent has been given a new title at work and everyone must address him now on as Mr. Brockwell.
Thursday, July 23 – A SMART Convo
Thursday’s Facebook Live production of Convos with Clients featured DRIVE SMART Virginia’s Executive Director, Janet Brooking. It was our seventh episode of interviewing clients and Janet knocked it out of the park. We’ve had the privilege of working with DRIVE SMART Virginia for the last two-and-a-half years and are proud that we have played a small part in forwarding their mission to make Virginia’s roadways safer. In case you missed it, you can watch the full Convos with Clients interview here.
Friday, July 24 – Returning To The Ring
Today I learned that Roy Jones Jr. will fight “Iron” Mike Tyson on September 12th in California. To put this in perspective, Roy is one year younger than me, Mike is two years older than me, and both look much better than me without a shirt on. Thirty-four years ago, I saw Mike Tyson absolutely destroy Marvis Frazier in thirty-seconds. He might not take down Roy in the first round, but then again, history may repeat itself. Either way, I am booking my flight tonight, so let me know if you have a connection for tickets. The only thing I’ll be fighting is traffic on the 405 Freeway from LAX to Carson. Heads up to my LA buddies Sean, Jim, John, and Dan — Big Dave is coming back to LA soon. And when I fly back, you guys are buying the drinks. #Evvyonehathaplantildaygetpunchedinthemouf
A Few of Our Favorite Events
Master Distiller’s Dinner at A. Smith Bowman Distillery
1 Bowman Drive | Fredericksburg, VA
November 14, 2020 | 6-9 p.m.
Smith Bowman Distillery and Earth Apple LLC have partnered to bring you a unique bourbon experience! Master Distiller Brian Prewitt will start the evening off with a guided tasting of rare Abraham Bowman Limited Edition Whiskies, accompanied by delectable small bites specially selected by Chef Jessica Wilkins. Following the tasting, Chef Jessica will treat guests to a 3-course dinner served with carefully crafted bourbon cocktails. Tickets will cost $125 per person and go on sale October 14 at 10 a.m. via Eventbrite.
Got an upcoming event you want to share? Can we come? Send us the deets!
“Everyone has a plan ’til they get punched in the mouth.”
— Mike Tyson