Cutting the Cord
When I was growing up, there were only five channels on television. We had three networks, (ABC, NBC, and CBS), in addition to an independent channel that ran Baltimore Orioles baseball and horrible local programming out of Washington, D.C. We also had a very weak and distorted PBS signal where I would strain to watch Mr. Rogers and Sesame Street.
In the late 70s, all of that changed and my cost-conscious parents decided to spring for Cable TV. Suddenly a new world opened up to me, and I had more than 100 channels of choices. I wanted my MTV and I got it. And those days it was pretty simple. You’d pay for cable and if you wanted HBO you paid a little bit more because that’s where the good stuff was.
Through the years, the channels exploded — and so did the cost. When I finally “unplugged“ from cable TV a few years ago, I was paying more than $150 a month. I cut the cord. I tried to get the content for free.
Gradually over the last few years, I’ve added back “the good stuff.” First, I needed Netflix because everyone kept talking about shows that I hadn’t seen and I had a severe case of FOMO. Then Hulu, Amazon, ESPN Plus, YouTube, Youtube TV, Paramount Plus, and I somehow added Disney Plus, perhaps by accident, but probably after a slick web ad and some bourbons. I finally realized this week that I’m now paying more than I ever did for Cable. Cutting the cord has ended up costing me more and more and more.
Why? Good content, made by talented people, is what we want. And that costs money, as it should. Somehow in the last decade or so, we’ve come to the rather ludicrous expectation that everything should be free. I don’t know how that happened. Perhaps it was Google’s fault for giving us everything and charging nothing (except our souls and privacy). Regardless of blame, we really need to understand that the people who dream up ideas, write them down, edit them, produce them, et cetera…..do NOT work for free.
The Writer’s Guild Strike, which I fully support, is now on its 45th day and if it’s not over soon I will be cutting the cord on all of it. #WGAStrong
MONDAY:
HEART TO HEART WITH HOLLY KNOLL
On Monday, our team met with a new client – historic Holly Knoll for a CORE facilitation. Holly Knoll, which I wrote about recently, is the historic riverfront home of Civil Rights-era educator Dr. Robert Russa Moton and setting of The Gloucester Institute. We are working with the fine folks at Holly Knoll on a unique branding/marketing project and these CORE sessions provide both our team and our clients with amazing insights to develop on-target strategies for successful results.
TUESDAY:
MEAGAN TURNS 21
On Tuesday, our Summer Intern Meagan turns 21! Meagan is studying Strategic and Creative Advertising currently at VCU and joined us for the summer to get a feel for the life of a Madison+Main Account Executive, but on Tuesday she had the day off celebrating her first legal drink instead.
WEDNESDAY:
NEW CLIENT ALERT
On Wednesday, we welcomed a new client, Federation of Virginia Food Banks! Our team is so excited to help assist their mission of connecting and collaborating with Virginia’s food banks and their partners to ensure individuals and communities throughout the Commonwealth have access to good nutritious food.
THURSDAY:
NATIONAL NATURE PHOTOGRAPHY DAY
Thursday was National Nature Photography Day. I took some time to get outside and snap some a few shots of the river. I realized I’m not very good at photography. The water in my pics looked brown. Weird. If you’re in Hampton, drop by Fort Monroe and snap a few pics. It’s the perfect time to shoot some of their historic buildings and beautiful shoreline.
FRIDAY:
SAMUEL’S BIRTHDAY
On Friday, we celebrated Account Executive Samuel Nfor’s birthday! Join us in wishing him a day as awesome as he is, with plenty of his favorite snacks – white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. Word around the office is that Samuel will celebrate his birthday by organizing his closet and cabinets. Again.
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
Juneteenth Weekend Cookout
Holly Knoll
3201 Leadership Drive
Gloucester, VA
June 17, 2023 | 3 – 6 p.m.
Our friends at Holly Knoll and The Gloucester Institute are hosting a Juneteeth celebration this weekend that will be filled with food (seriously amazing food — trust me), fun, games, great music, history, and genuine hospitality. Suggested donation is $40 for adults and $20 for kids under 12. Check it out!
Seattle SummerFest
Atlas 42
4032 Cox Road Suite A
Glen Allen, VA 23060
June 24, 2023 | 8 – 11:59 p.m.
Get ready to rock at Atlas 42! Plan to see some of Seattle’s best grunge rock bands, such as Black Hole Sun – a Chris Cornell Tribute Band, All Apologies – a Nirvana Tribute Band, and Deja Foo – a Foo Fighters Tribute Band, at Seattle SummerFest. Relive your grunge rock glory days and get your tickets.
“We need to stop interrupting what people are interested in and be what people are interested in.” — Craig Davis