Start Spreading The News

So follow me on this one. If you ask 100 business owners, what’s the best form of advertising, 99 of them will reply loudly, in unison, “Word of mouth!”
If you ask the same group what does “word of mouth” mean? You’ll get 99 different answers. People think they know what word-of-mouth marketing (WOMM) means, but do they really?
WOMM is essentially positive facts, stories, and opinions about your business that are passed along by employees, customers, friends, and others in the community. When it works, it REALLY works. There is nothing better than positive word-of-mouth for your business.
But what happens when “bad stuff” happens? Domestic violence in your warehouse. An employee dies in a freak accident. The CFO is accused of embezzlement. No news travels faster than bad news… and this kind of word-of-mouth can literally destroy your business.
A little known area of Madison+Main’s services deals with Crisis Communications. Currently, it’s about 3% of our total business, but for the clients we’ve helped through the years, it’s a lifesaver. In life, bad stuff happens to good companies. When it does our team is ready and able to help; from crisis consulting to media management to reputation defense.
Our Communications Director Kent Brockwell and I have helped quite a few companies over the years survive and then thrive, after bad news hits. If you’re interested in a chat or more info on a Crisis Communications plan, let me know.
MONDAY:
4 YEARS OF MOLLIE B!
This Monday, we’re celebrating Mollie Banks, our HR and Operations Manager, and her four years as a Madison+Main-iac! Her tireless wrangling of our team and management of our shenanigans, as well as handling countless behind-the-scenes tasks, is invaluable and we’re so grateful to have her.

TUESDAY:
AN ELECTION YOU’LL ACTUALLY ENJOY
Ready to cast your vote? If you’ve gotten a chance to visit Compass Entertainment Complex and their multi-screen luxury movie theater, you’ll know they deserve ALL the glitzy awards. A low-budget and high-impact way to help them out is to throw them a vote in Virginia Living’s Best of Virginia poll! Plan your visit and head out to Compass to experience their indoor and outdoor attractions as well as the new renovations underway at Meridian Bar & Grill!

WEDNESDAY:
METRO MEET UP!
Wednesday we gathered in-office with our friends at Metro Productions! We’ve been excited to work with them on several projects for other clients recently, including our Ceasefire Virginia campaign work with Virginia’s Office of the Attorney General. We chowed down on some tacos from Don’t Look Back and discussed upcoming projects and concepts.
THURSDAY:
TEXAS-SIZE TEXAS INN NEWS!
We have a MAJOR announcement coming next week for Texas Inn! You definitely want to open your inbox next Friday. Also, while you’re at it, click here to subscribe to T-Mail, the weekly newsletter from the Texas Inn. This is called a Teaser Post.

FRIDAY:
ITS B-DAY!!
This morning I was “up and at ‘em” early to give my “weekend update” on Richmond’s Morning News on WRVA. Guest host Gary Hess did a great job filling in for John Reid, and gave his audience some ideas on fun things to do in RVA this Holiday Weekend. ICYMI, here’s the link!
And a happy Birthday to Account Executive Brandon Segres, a tried-and-true treble-maker with over two decades of violin mastery under his belt! He’s a client fav and a local legend around the office, so wish him a happy b-day on our social media to make his day!

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
Fort Monroe Presents: NPS Walking Tour–Gibraltar of the Chesapeake and the Building of a Nation
January 17, 2024 | 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Fort Monroe Visitor & Education Center
30 Ingalls Road | Fort Monroe, VA 23651
Learn more and plan your visit!
Join Fort Monroe for a ranger-led walking tour to explore the history of Fort Monroe. Learn about the establishment of the 3rd system, the role of the “Gibraltar of the Chesapeake” in local and national defense, and the diverse workforce constructing the largest fortification in the western hemisphere.
Reservations are not required.
Free Admission. Weather permitting.

COWANGATES MEMORIAL BLOOD DRIVE
February 6, 2024 | 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Salisbury Country Club | 13620 W Salisbury Rd, Midlothian, VA 23113
Save lives in your own community by donating blood at this upcoming blood drive! CowanGates and Salisbury Country Club are hosting this event.
Individuals interested in scheduling a time slot on February 6 to donate blood at the Memorial Blood Drive can visit here!
“Every day, blood donors help patients of all ages: accident and burn victims, heart surgery and organ transplant patients, and those battling cancer. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the U.S. needs blood.”
–The American Red Cross
“The Chinese use two brush strokes to write the word ‘crisis.’ One brush stroke stands for danger; the other for opportunity. In a crisis, be aware of the danger — but recognize the opportunity.” — John F. Kennedy