The Twitter Saga

To borrow from a famous quote by President Ronald Reagan, “I didn’t leave Twitter. Twitter left me.”
More than 14 years ago I reluctantly joined Twitter at the suggestion of a colleague at Madison+Main. The new platform was relatively unheard of – a micro-blog with 140 character limits – but it was fun and exciting. I created a Twitter handle – @MadMain – because we had already created a @MadisonMain account. Mad Men, the TV series about fictitious AdMan Don Draper, had just come out, but I had not seen the show.
I instantly LOVED Twitter. It forced me to write pithy one-liners and I found myself completely hooked. Through the years I gained almost 30,000 followers who read the stuff I posted. If it was interesting to me, I posted it. Some content was about branding, marketing, advertising, and social media. Other content included my list of the “Top 10 Worst Realtor Headshots.” Once upon a time, I tweeted every billboard from Virginia to South Carolina for South of The Border on a trip with kids down I-95 to Nana’s house. #YoureAlwaysAWeinerAtPedros #YouNeverSausageAPlace
From 2008 to 2018 I posted almost 20,000 times. But in recent years, I started using Twitter less and less and less. The platform, once an exciting free-for-all for everything important and absurd, fell into a pit of bots, scammers, fakes, and flakes.
In May of 2021, I stopped posting altogether. A few months later, I got a bunch of calls and emails saying that a hacker had taken control of my account. On July 26, 2021, someone called Yates Investing (@YatesInvesting) hijacked my Twitter account. They changed my name, email, and password. Then they deleted 10,000 people I was following and started posting spammy penny stock recommendations. Despite pleading my case with Twitter Support more than a dozen times over the course of a year, I never heard back. “I didn’t leave Twitter. Twitter left me.”
When I first read the news that billionaire Elon Musk was buying Twitter, I thought that it was a terrible business decision. When Musk asked about fake accounts and weak security, Twitter denied it and sued him. I know some are upset that Twitter is heading toward a return to free speech, but I personally wish Mr. Musk the best of luck. Who knows? One day I may return to Twitter…if the new regime can give me my old account back and a blue check mark. Maybe the eight bucks are worth it for the verification status. Until then I’ll stick to Facebook and Instagram…until Mr. Zuckerberg screws them up.
Oh, wait…
MONDAY:
CHAIRMAN CHAMPION
Our client Lucy Corr announced exciting news for CEO Derrick Kendall. He is currently Chairman of the Virginia Health Care Association and the Virginia Center for Assisted Living’s Board of Directors and has been re-elected by his peers to serve a second term. Congratulations, Derrick! This was one election this week we can all get behind.
TUESDAY:
MEET UP WITH MOTLEY’S
On Tuesday, some of the Madison+Main-iacs spent the afternoon with our client Motleys Asset Disposition Group for their Discovery (DISCO) session. The creative concepts for their new ad campaign were well received and our team is ready to take the next steps. It was a rare occasion that superstar Communications Director Kent Brockwell wore a suit, but he looked downright dapper.

WEDNESDAY:
AN A-MOOO-ZING PHOTOSHOOT
On Wednesday, Senior Art Director Carissa Ghaffari hit the road to meet with our client Maola for their winter photoshoot. Based on these behind-the-scenes shots, the shoot went udder-ly amazing. Seriously, we could look at these shots until the cows come home.


THURSDAY:
REBELLECON
On Thursday, President and Chief Operating Officer Molly Whitfield and Director of Business & Marketing Leanne Pillow attended RebelleCon – a boutique conference experience that brings inspiring leaders together from across the country. The conference explored what it means to be well and successful with two keynote speakers, Yasmine Cheyenne, author of “The Sugar Jar,” and Nitika Chopra, founder and CEO of Chronicon.

FRIDAY:
THE 11TH HOUR OF
THE 11TH DAY OF
THE 11TH MONTH
On Friday morning, I was back again with my friend John Reid on Richmond’s Morning News, WRVA 1140AM and 96.1 FM. Lots of cool events this weekend, so ICYMI, here’s the link.
Also, in honor of Veterans Day, I’d like to thank those who have served this country to protect our freedoms.
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
Richmond Mini-Greek Festival
30 Malvern Avenue
Richmond, VA 23221
November 11 | 11 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Grab some moussaka when you stop by the Richmond Mini-Greek Festival! Signature Greek main and side dishes will be on the menu, and nightly music and dancing will have you tapping your toes and getting in the groove. Join them at this free event today!
Answering the Call: Honoring Those Who Serve
Continental Park (Intersection of Fenwick and Ingalls Road)
Fort Monroe, VA 23651
November 11-13 | 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
In honor of Veterans Day, Fort Monroe Authority will be hosting a weekend full of events at Continental Park. Join them for living history interpretations and conversations with veterans and first responders. Mark your calendars for this free event!
Festival of Lights
Hermitage Roanoke
1009 Old Country Road NW
Roanoke, VA 24017
December 3 | 6 – 9 p.m.
It’s never too early to get into the holiday spirit. Hermitage Roanoke is inviting everyone to gather the family together, warm up the car, and explore thousands of twinkling lights at their third annual drive-thru Festival of Lights. Even Santa Claus will be in attendance. Keep an eye out for more details!
“If you spend more on coffee than on IT security, you will be hacked. What’s more, you deserve to be hacked.“ — Richard Clarke