The Weekly Report Turns Fifteen!
In 2008, Madison+Main was in its third year of doing business. It was a great time for our business, but the economy was literally crumbling all around us. The housing market crashed. The stock market crashed. The GREAT Recession was just beginning.
It was against that backdrop that we started a small email newsletter, focused on M+M happenings and events that started with friends, family, and clients. Plus a few words of wisdom (or a rant) from yours truly. Some colleagues at the time questioned the move. “Really, why would anyone read a weekly email? Email is dead.” Another said, “I don’t think we have enough content to do this.” I considered all the options and decided to go for it. It started monthly, then twice a month and on November 14, 2008 we re-named it The Weekly Report. Catchy name, eh?
Fifteen years later, The Weekly Report has thousands of subscribers and it’s delivered fresh to your inbox every Friday at 3 p.m.. That means that we have sent out 750+ weekly email newsletters over the last 15 years. It’s a lot of work. Sometimes I struggle with topics. But all-in-all, it’s been the positive feedback we get — and the emails chiding me for typos — that keep me going.
Topics have included branding, marketing, public relations, sales, and lots of other topics — including rants about a certain football team in the nation’s capital and musings on my beloved VCU Rams basketball team. We also took time to showcase new clients, agency wins, and random pictures and videos of Kent Brockwell. Kent riding (and falling off) a scooter. Kent showing off his OSHA-approved flower arranging tactics. OK, yes, there’s a LOT of Kent content. But once in a while, I try to hop on a viral craze, like the time my son Jack and I did the Harlem Shake on the ferry to Ocracoke.
A few of the most popular topics, according to you and Google searches:
The Cold Call is Dead – 8.6.2021
I’ve Seen The Future, and I’m Not A Fan – 1.6.2023
Questions & Answers – 2.13.2015
Pumpkin Spice People – 9.29.2023
28 Days Til Spring – 2.20.2015
Here Lies Dave. (my obit) – 9.24.2021
MONDAY:
KENT AND LEANNE “TRAVEL” TO THE TOURISM CONFERENCE
Director of Business & Marketing Leanne Pillow and Communications Director Kent Brockwell started their week at the VA1 Governor’s Tourism Summit, a short walk from our office, at the Greater Richmond Convention Center. They got to connect with some current clients and sit in on seminars on crisis communications, SEO, and more. The nice thing about being in the Capital City is that all the cool conferences are here.
TUESDAY:
REMEMBERING JANET BROOKING
We learned the extremely sad news this week that our friend and long-time client Janet Brooking passed away after a courageous fight with cancer. As both the Executive Director for DRIVE SMART Virginia and as a human, Janet was an authentic force for good. Her passion to make Virginia’s roads a safer place for all was simply awe-inspiring. She worked tirelessly to achieve her mission and we at Madison+Main are eternally honored that she trusted us to help deliver her organization’s extremely important mission. We would like to offer our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues.
WEDNESDAY:
SOMETHING ABOUT HARP ABOUT
After work on Wednesday, Kent used some of his community service PTO to attend HARP RVA’s board meeting, where the organization announced the launch of its new website. If you haven’t heard about it, HARP is a unique, very successful addiction recovery program that was started by Sheriff Karl Leonard at the Chesterfield County Jail in 2016. HARP RVA was formed last year to continue the work done in the jail by providing ongoing services to recent HARP graduates.
THURSDAY:
CEASEFIRE VIRGINIA COMING SOON
We had a productive meeting on Thursday with our friends from Virginia’s Office of the Attorney General. We’ve been working on creative concepts for the Ceasefire Virginia campaign, which will be launching soon. We’re proud to work with the state and local law enforcement on this unique, Virginia-wide campaign that aims to reduce gun violence throughout the Commonwealth. Stay tuned!
FRIDAY:
OH, GO TAKE A HIKE
This beautiful Friday is National Take a Hike Day! While it’s a killer comeback, it’s also a great idea — and we have a couple hike destinations to share! If you’re in the mood to kick off your weekend by hiking, we suggest heading out to Fort Monroe to step into history up close and take in a beautiful coastal setting! If you’re out that way, refuel after your stroll while enjoying Chesapeake’s bustling culinary scene, including some stellar waterfront options — there’s so much to do! It’s also perfect weather to take the gentleman’s hike on the beautiful golf course at Two Rivers Country Club! Or stay in and read the past Weekly Report favorites — we won’t tell!
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
Mozart’s Requiem
Friday, November 17 | 7:30 p.m.
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart
823 Cathedral Place | Richmond, VA 23220
The Choir of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart joins with Three Notch’d Road: The Virginia Baroque Ensemble and soloists in Mozart’s famed Requiem, performing the masterful completion by eminent Mozart scholar Robert Levin.
Made possible by the generosity of the E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation.
Although a message may say we are “Sold Out,” all are welcome to attend the concert. Doors open at 7 p.m. Admission is free.
Pet Food Pantry Pop-Up at Holiday Barn Pet Resorts
Saturday, December 16 | 9 – 11 a.m.
Holiday Barn Pet Resorts
614 Johnston Willis Dr. | Richmond, VA 23236
Holiday Barn Pet Resorts is teaming up with Compassion Animal Project again to host another drive-up holiday pop-up pet food pantry. This has been a very successful event in the past and they will be donating thousands of meals for dogs and cats to families in need this holiday season.
“Time moves slowly but passes quickly.“ — Alice Walker