The Power of Presentation

By: Caitlin Sherman
As part of my “one-year anniversary punishment,” Dave asked me to write the Weekly Report this week. What he doesn’t know is that I have less of a “Bah-Humbug” attitude about this so-called “punishment” and more of a “Bah-Humdinger” of a story to share.
It was December 25, 2007, when my parents gave me two tickets (floor seats, mind you) to the upcoming Hannah Montana and Jonas Brothers concert – the biggest musical mash-up of the year. Well, for an eight-year-old gal like myself.
What stuck with me all of these years wasn’t the tickets themselves, but how they were gifted. They were tucked inside the strings of a pink, metal electric guitar wall decor inside of a big, white box. My parents knew their audience well – an aspiring musician who wanted to have a room like a rockstar and loved Miss Montana more than anything.
They could have gifted me the oh-so-coveted tickets in an envelope or even handed them to me sans packaging. I would have been grateful no matter what, but not nearly as impressed. I didn’t just want them at that point – I NEEDED them. Dare I say couldn’t imagine that Christmas without them? That is the power of presentation, people.
Now, the time for gift-giving is almost upon us. When we’re given a gift, the first thing we notice is the packaging. The wrapping paper, the bow, and the overall craftsmanship of the presentation. It’s what keeps us intrigued and invested in what’s being shared with us. That same thought process relates back to buying what’s going to be gifted.
Just as it matters how your gift looks when it’s being exchanged, it also matters how it looks in your business to a potential customer. A dynamic product presentation can take an item from being skipped over on a shelf to being bought. It offers the opportunity to communicate a message to consumers before the product is even thought to be purchased of “Hey, pick me! I’m all you could have ever wanted and more.” And who could say no to that?
When you’re presenting your customers with a product, it’s important to make them feel as if they want it. But it’s even more important to make them feel like it’s a necessity they can’t bear to skip over. #TicketToSuccess
MONDAY:
CATCHING UP WITH KATZ
Start the new year right for your business! JJ White of EOS Worldwide was featured on The Jeff Katz Show to discuss what business owners should do to prepare their businesses for this upcoming year. If you want to set yourself and your company up for success in 2023, tune in to their talk!
TUESDAY:
DELIVERY DAY
On Tuesday, Account Manager Marita Cardenas and Senior Art Director Carissa Ghaffari loaded their sleigh (aka one of their cars) to deliver our client Chesapeake Economic Development their gift for the holidays from Madison+Main. As you can see, there were smiles all around – including our point of contact, Curtis Cobert!
Speaking of client gifts, Account Executive Nicole Collins also shared a little something special with Pastor Jim from our client The Brandermill Church. Based on both of their big smiles, I think it’s safe to say that the present (and packaging) were a hit!


WEDNESDAY:
CHATTING WITH COWANGATES
On Wednesday, Account Director Allison Nida and Account Manager Marita Cardenas hit the road to meet with our client CowanGates to reflect on 2022’s successes and discuss their marketing plan for 2023. Judging by the way things went, it’s safe to say we’ll have a lot to look forward to this upcoming year.
THURSDAY:
GIVE THE GIFT OF A GIFT CARD
Ever wondered where your favorite classic cocktail recipes come from? Discover what led libations, like bourbon and whiskey, to be used in The Manhattan, Whiskey Sour, and Whiskey Smash with a history lesson from our client A. Smith Bowman Distillery.
FRIDAY:
SANTA’S SIPPING ON MAOLA
Leaving milk and cookies out for Santa is a custom that dates all the way back to the 1930s. This year, our client Maola Local Dairies wants only the freshest, tastiest, and most nutritional refreshments left for the man in the red suit. Help fuel his trip around the world with a glass of Maola milk (and save the rest of the carton for you and your crew).
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
Rampart Readers — The Beauty and Wonders of Snow
Fort Monroe
Virtual Event
December 31 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Ready to listen to the story Snow by Uri Shulevitz? Learn about the beauty and wonder that snow can bring to a city with Hampton Public Library’s Children’s Librarian, Olivia Hasan. They’ll also be teaching how winter at Fort Monroe Authority affected the people who lived there throughout history. Join them for this free event on their Facebook Page!
New Year’s Eve Slumber Party
Holiday Barn Pet Resorts
Glen Allen and Midlothian Locations
December 31 | All Day
Dogs love to ring in the New Year, too! Join Holiday Barn Pet Resorts for their New Year’s Eve Slumber Party, where canine revelers will enjoy Evening Camp or Private Play, Doggie Bubbly, Doggie Caviar, and a take-home treat! Mark your calendar!
“The brain doesn’t pay attention to boring things.” — John Medina