The Amazing Mister Ed
For those of you who were not watching primetime CBS television in the 1960s or missed out on Nick at Night marathons in the 90s, you may not know about the amazing Mister Ed. Mister Ed was a talking horse and he was an instant hit on American TV when he debuted in 1961. The role of Mister Ed was played by a beautiful part-Arabian horse named Bamboo Harvester, but former Western actor Allan Lane provided the voice. Actor Alan Young starred opposite Ed as the klutzy architect named Wilbur Post. The show was produced by comedy legends George Burns and Jack Benny.
The comedy in the show was derived from the unlikely dynamic of conversations between a dim-witted human and a smart horse. On the show, Ed drove a car, opened up a lemonade stand, and one time, hit an inside-the-park home run off Sandy Koufax at Dodger Stadium. It was fun to watch and it was entertaining…and it was entirely made-up. Fictional comedy. Most people watching the show understood this — an actor provided Ed’s voice and Ed seemed smart because of clever editing and camera work. Still, some people watching the show really did believe that Ed could talk and do math and buy life insurance. Amazing, right?
This week we launched a statewide PR and marketing campaign for the Virginia Department of Health for an exposure notification app that will notify you if you’ve likely been exposed to COVID-19. It’s called COVIDWISE. The app does not use your private data. The app does not track you. And most people get this, but I have had conversations with a few folks this week that do not understand this. They believe the app is trying to steal their information and track them when they go to Walmart or eat dinner at Golden Corral.
To them, I say…
“A horse is a horse, of course, of course, and no one can talk to a horse, of course, that is, of course, unless the horse, is the famous Mister Ed! Go right to the source and ask the horse. He’ll give you the answer that you’ll endorse. He’s always on a steady course. Talk to Mister Ed. People yak-it-ti-yak a streak and waste your time of day, but Mister Ed will never speak, unless he has something to say…”
One thing I have learned this week is that naysayers’ days are outnumbered. We have a long way to go in terms of educating the public and marketing COVIDWISE to all Virginians, but we’re off to a great start. A whopping 173,000 of my fellow Virginians downloaded the app for free on their iPhones and Androids within the first 24 hours. I hope you will join me and use your phone in the COVID fight. If your business or nonprofit is interested in helping us “spread the word, not the virus,” please email us at COVIDWISE@madisonmain.com.
Download COVIDWISE in the Google Play Store.
Monday, August 3
On Monday, we worked on the COVIDWISE campaign. The team also presented new creative concepts to the folks at All American Mobility.
Tuesday, August 4
Wednesday, August 5
On Wednesday, we officially helped launch the COVIDWISE campaign and worked on some PR for our friends at Mt. Gilead Full Gospel International Ministries.
Thursday, August 6
On Thursday, we worked on the COVIDWISE campaign and hopped on Facebook Live for Episode 9 of Convos with Clients to chat with Executive Program Advisor at the Virginia Department of Health, Jeff Stover, about leading the COVIDWISE launch. We also helped our clients at Sycamore Vet with new signs and got social media graphics made for our clients at A. Smith Bowman Distillery.
Friday, August 7
Today, I wrote the Weekly Report, chatted with John Reid of Newsradio 1140 WRVA about the COVIDWISE campaign, and watched some Mister Ed reruns. We also put some finishing touches on a social media campaign and landing page for our new clients at Beerwerks.
A Few of Our Favorite Events
4308 Hermitage Road | Richmond, VA
October 24, 2020 | TBD
Our good friend, Bobby Kelland from Aflac, is gearing up for his second non-profit bike ride this year on behalf of Andrea Starr and the Forward Foundation. This time, it’s a 50-mile ride from Bryan Park to Ashland and back. The ride will raise money to support single mothers and provide them financial assistance for quality childcare, as well as educational workshops. Donate today online or text “Donate” and the amount to 804-352-2820 (ex: Donate $5) to help him reach his $15,000 goal by October 24.
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!
“You can lead a human to knowledge but you can’t make him think.”
— Anonymous