Madison+Main

Can You Hear Me Now? | Weekly Report for September 11, 2026

Dave Saunders — Sat, 12 Sep 2026 01:52:45 +0000

Can You Hear Me Now?

Sometimes I use this weekly email newsletter to deliver brand and marketing insights. Sometimes I chat about Madison+Main’s achievements and successes. Sometimes I go off on a rant.

I dedicate this Weekly Report to all those out there who have ever been frustrated, angered, and/or driven bonkers by the oxymoron that is Verizon Customer Service.

From 2002-2011, TV airwaves were filled with commercials featuring an unknown actor, Paul Marcarelli, in his gray Verizon jacket and horn-rimmed glasses. He asked, “Can you hear me now?” The ad became part of the American lexicon. People jokingly asked friends, family and co-workers, “Can you hear me now?”– on and off their cell phones.

That award-winning ad tapped into frustrations consumers had when they got dropped calls and lousy cell coverage. Verizon touted a better network and I believed them. I’ve been a customer for more than 20 years.

Today, Verizon can’t hear you, the customer, because it is almost impossible to speak with a live person. Last week, I let a bill fall through the cracks. I have paperless billing so I didn’t get a notice. I changed services and the automatic billing didn’t transfer. My service was shut off. No biggie. “I’ll just call and pay my bill over the phone,” I said to myself. What transpired was a grueling 2 1/2 hour long time suck that left me frustrated and ready to quit Verizon.

Verizon.com and the MyVerizon app (in addition to the 5 different toll-free numbers I’ve found) are what happens when a company becomes so big it doesn’t respect its own customers. In a push to lower costs, they’ve reduced US customer service staff, outsourced the remaining CS agents overseas and have pushed a tech/app/website first approach that cannot solve basic functions of customer support. The AI agent can’t understand simple commands like “I want to pay my bill” and “Let me speak to a representative.” Verizon Customer Service now ranks 1.3 out of 5 stars on TrustPilot .

In addition, increased competition (they’re losing customers to other carriers) has led management to raise costs on their own customers, which they’ve recently admitted was a mistake.

And lastly, the one thing keeping me at Verizon is all but gone – the better coverage. Many experts now say other carriers, such as T-Mobile , have an equally good network.

In the end, customers want three things out of a service they’re buying; good, fast & cheap. They’ll settle for two of those, but you make a brand champion for life if you give them all three. In other words, if it’s good and fast, it’s not cheap. If it’s good and cheap, it won’t be delivered fast. If it’s fast and cheap, it won’t be good.

Verizon is becoming 1-for-3. It’s not fast or cheap. The phone service is still good. Verizon, can you hear me now?

Here’s a tip I learned the hard way. If you ever need assistance from a live person for your Verizon issue, don’t call or use the app, just email cersWEExecutiveRelations@verizonwireless.com – You’re welcome.

MONDAY:

LABOR DAY

This Monday, the whole team took time away from their desks to honor the holiday, a time to recognize what we can accomplish when we work together! In case you missed last week’s Weekly, it’s a closer look at the origins of Labor Day and why we celebrate. Just a reminder you can read it, and prior Weekly Reports, here!

TUESDAY:

PIZZA PARTY PERFECT

Tuesday, we gathered in the hub for an lunch hour pizza party! While those can sometimes sound like a cliche in an office setting, ours had something others don’t: our VP extraordinaire, Leanne Pillow. Her contributions in client relationships and business development are already so prodigious and she still finds time to both strategize and spearhead time together for our crew. From throwing themed potlucks to masterminding our company celebrations – she is the architect of so many of Madison+Main‘s brightest moments, including this delicious team lunchtime. Leanne, thank you for all you do!

Over some slices, the team played some rounds of Heads Up and got a chance to reconnect after the long holiday weekend.

WEDNESDAY:

CRANEMASTERS TO THE CORE

We’ve been tearing through CORE meetings left and right the last few weeks which means something truly great: we’re welcoming industry leaders and new clients into the Madison+Main family! This week, we sat down early morning with the amazing folks from Cranemasters. Their capabilities make them a unique powerhouse in their field, and just like our team, they’re known for getting the job done right. Keep an eye out for what we’ll make together!

THURSDAY:

OVER HALFWAY THERE

Huge news for the reunion – a Fun-Raiser for the Jack Saunders Memorial Scholarship – with online and offline donations we have reached over 50% of our goal!

Madison+Main is now the Presenting Sponsor. Express Oil Change & Tire Engineers is sponsoring the Old School Bar, and our friends at Holiday Barn Pet Resorts are the Games Sponsor.

The event will be held at Atlas 42, from 6 -10 PM Friday, October 2nd. There will be plenty of fun, food, music and a ton of items in our silent auction. 100% of proceeds go to fund law school scholarships for some really bright and deserving young people.

That also means that 89 out of 150 tickets have already been sold, so GET YOURS TODAY!

FRIDAY:

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS LATER

This morning I joined Rich Herrera and the WRVA Team on the radio to reflect and reminisce on the tragic events of Tuesday, September 11th, 2001. Instead of a list of fun things to do, we went through a long list of 9/11 Remembrances and Service opportunities.

Afterwards, I met Rich and some other friends at the Virginia War Memorial as patriotic music accompanied the reading aloud of the names of the almost 3,000 Americans who died that day.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS

Goochland Community-Oriented Event of Remembrance

September 11

On the evening of September 11th, the Goochland County Department of Fire-Rescue & Emergency Services will assemble again at 7 PM at the Goochland County Memorial to September 11, 2001, located at Fire-Rescue Manakin Station 1 (180 River Rd., Manakin Sabot). During this public service, community members will hear from the Freedom Flag Foundation and learn about the history of the Goochland County Memorial to September 11, 2001, made with pieces of steel from the twin towers in New York City.

25th Anniversary of the Metro Richmond 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb

September 12 | 7 AM

Participants symbolically complete the 110-story climb (2,200 steps) made by FDNY firefighters at the World Trade Center to honor fallen first responders. Gates open at 7 a.m. for the events at Richmond Raceway. Gates open at 7 AM. Get tickets here.

National Day of Service & Remembrance Ceremony & Beautification

September 12 | 10 AM

Volunteers gather for a memorial tribute followed by headstone cleaning and cemetery beautification at Virginia Veterans Cemetery, beginning at 10 AM.

Virginia Veterans Cemetery at Amelia

10300 Pridesville Road, Amelia Court House, VA 23002

Teeing Off On Cancer

September 21 | 11 AM-6 PM

Colorectal cancer is now the #1 cause of cancer-related death in people under age 50. Young community members are at risk. Every event offers the opportunity to bring education to the participants and the community, which can save lives. This golf fundraiser at the Magnolia Green Golf Club includes a long drive contest, a closest to the pin contest, a putting contest, and a bountiful prize package for anyone fortunate enough to make a hole-in-one. Hitting Cancer Below the Belt will also offer a number of other optional fun activities for those who like to take a risk. A box lunch will be served prior to the event, and there will be a sit-down dinner following the event as they present awards.

“Can you hear me now?”

The post Can You Hear Me Now? | Weekly Report for September 11, 2026 appeared first on Madison+Main.

Don’t Forget the Labor in Labor Day | Weekly Report for September 4, 2026

Dave Saunders — Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:08:40 +0000

Don’t Forget the Labor in Labor Day

Labor Day is one of those holidays Americans celebrate without really knowing what we’re celebrating.

We know it involves a three-day weekend. We know there will be burgers. We know there will be sales on fine home furnishings. And we know summer is officially packing its bags and the hot summer weather will magically disappear on Tuesday. But Labor Day was never really about hot dogs and mattress sales.

The first Labor Day was celebrated in New York City on September 5, 1882. Somewhere between 10,000 and 20,000 workers marched through Manhattan to celebrate the American worker. Twelve years later, Congress made it a national holiday.

Think about that for a minute. These weren’t people celebrating the invention of the three-day weekend. They were celebrating work itself, and the people who did it.

Today, we tend to divide the world into “work” and “life,” as in work/life balance. But that implies a separation. Work is not something we do simply to live. Work is a big part of life.

Work is a pretty important part of the human experience. We build things. We solve problems. We make things better. We teach. We sell. We serve. We fix. We create. We manage. We sweep floors, write code, drive trucks, fight fires, pour coffee, perform surgery and occasionally sit through meetings that could have been emails. Every job contributes something.

And here’s the part worth remembering: A company isn’t really a building, a logo, a website or a balance sheet.

It’s people.

People who show up.

People who care.

People who occasionally screw things up and then figure out how to fix them.

So this Labor Day, by all means, grill something. Sleep late. Watch football. Go furniture shopping. But also take a minute to appreciate the people who make things happen. The ones who made the BBQ grill. The folks working on Labor Day at Kroger. Heck, you can even give a little love to the guy trying to sell you that sofa and loveseat.

Because the greatest thing about America isn’t that we work hard.

It’s what we can accomplish when we work together.

Now you can go out and grab your furniture. Also, just a tip, I heard “this is the final Saturday….at Haynes.”

MONDAY:

PRESS PLAY ON DVD NETWORKS

This week was a busy and great one at Madison+Main – starting off with our CORE session with our friends and new clients at DVD Networks! These great folks help businesses of all sizes keep their technology running smoothly—with managed IT, cybersecurity, networking, communications and more. They’re a great team to know, so if you’re looking for a tech partner (or just want an introduction to another cool company in our network), give us a shout. We’re always happy to connect great people!

TUESDAY:

UNITED FOR A CAUSE

Two cool CORE meetings in two days? We love it! Tuesday, we gathered with an incredible team of community leaders from United Way of Greater Richmond & Petersburg, an organization bringing people, resources and solutions together to help our communities thrive. We’re so excited to put our creative and strategic chops to work helping amplify the incredible resources they offer, share their story, and ultimately help them do even more good across our region.

WEDNESDAY:

NEW ON THE STREET

When you think marketing, you might think of ads or commercials – but this week, we were thrilled to see a uniquely Richmond kind of safety message unveiled as part of our ongoing work with Drive Smart Virginia and the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety: a mural has been added on Richmond’s southside, painted by artist Hamilton Glass, reminding you to “Suck It Up, Buckle Up” aimed at getting more drivers locally to slow down and wear their seat belts before driving, even if you’re just going around the corner!

THURSDAY:

DO A WHOLE BOWL OF GOOD

This week, we’re so proud to shout out a great chance to get some tasty Chipotle while giving back, and you can join us by making a difference for those we love inside the Madison+Main family. Saturday, September 12, you can pick up dinner 4-8 PM at the Chipotle at 14171 Midlothian Turnpike and your purchase will contribute to the STXBP1 Foundation, which is working to advance research, build community and create a brighter future for people and families affected by STXBP1-related disorders. Let’s turn an tasty meal into some truly meaningful charity – and we’re so proud to be cheer for Georgie and her family!

FRIDAY:

ON-AIR AND HONORING DOLLY

Made plans for your long weekend yet? If not, don’t worry, your favorite local expert is here! I caught the airwaves on WRVA this morning as I do every Friday, with my friend Rich Herrera, discussing all the great events coming up this weekend.

Catch a double feature at the Goochland Drive-In, live music from Blackberry Smoke and American Aquarium, laugh it up at the Funny Bone, see the racing at Colonial Downs, or get one last splash at Kings Dominion’s Soak City. Basically, summer’s not quite done with us yet—so get out there and enjoy it!

ICYMI, here’s the link!

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS

Friendship Circle kicks off at Regency Mall

September 6 | 1 PM-3 PM

FCVA (Friendship Circle Virginia) Kickoff at Surge Adventure Park: If you have teens or kids with disabilities, Surge Adventure Park is hosting a community introduction event on Sunday at 1:00 PM with light refreshments to celebrate September birthdays and introduce the Friendship Circle family program.

Sponsored by fasmart, QTS and the Jewish Community Federation.

Teeing Off On Cancer

September 21 | 11 AM-6 PM

“It is only through labor and effort, by grim energy and resolute courage, that we move on to better things.” – Theodore Roosevelt

The post Don’t Forget the Labor in Labor Day | Weekly Report for September 4, 2026 appeared first on Madison+Main.

FOMO | Weekly Report for August 28, 2026

Dave Saunders — Mon, 31 Aug 2026 02:19:10 +0000

FOMO

If you’re not hip to younger, hipper text acronyms, FOMO stands for “Fear of Missing Out.” The research tells us that the phrase was coined in 2004 and has been used widely since 2010. It’s a by-product of the intense connectedness some feel through social media.

If I post on Instagram that I’m having a great time at the Chris Stapleton concert and you see this on your couch, you might suffer a brief FOMO moment. I’m having a great time and you are watching a slightly disappointing new series on Netflix instead of your favorite music artist. Alone. And you’ve run out of ice cream. FOMO.

This used to be called a “bummer,” combined with a tinge of jealousy. It’s now been elevated to a mental health issue.

The authors of the study say FOMO is now a “new phenomenon,” but I beg to differ. We’ve always had FOMO and advertisers know how to exploit this.

If the shopping cart says “only three left,” you’ll buy it. If the “sale ends tonight,” you’ll seriously consider buying today and not waiting until tomorrow. I’ve bought “limited editions” of items because I didn’t want to “miss the chance” and that is the psychological effect of FOMO.

FOMO works because human beings are wired to pay attention to what other humans are doing. We look around for social cues. If all of your friends are buying tickets, drinking a new beverage, joining the club or wearing a new brand of sneakers, we assume there must be a good reason. It’s like peer pressure for adults.

Smart advertising people, like yours truly, turn that FOMO into urgency. The urgency leads to the sale.

But FOMO only works if the opportunity actually feels worth missing. Fake urgency eventually smells like desperation. The best ads don’t create fear, they get people thinking.

“Wait a minute…if I don’t buy this, I’m going to regret it.”

FOMO is real, but it isn’t a new phenomenon. That’s why the modern consumer is still trying to “Keep up with Joneses.”

Tell your friends to sign up for The Weekly Report here and get fresh brand and marketing content (and Dave’s ramblings) sent to your inbox each and every Friday at 3 pm. It’s free. If they don’t sign up, they’ll be missing out. #fomo

MONDAY:

DUCKS IN A ROW

When the new owner of Lake Effect Decoys approached us as an already-established ecommerce brand, he was seeking one thing: a true brand refresh.

There was no winging it… just intentional research, strategy, and consideration of the audience. With nods to Michigan nature and duck hunting as a true, heritage sport, you can count on them to stay a cut above the rest of the flock with this brand refresh.

We’re proud of the work here – take a peek at this before-and-after of their logo! Keep an eye out for more.

TUESDAY:

MAH JONGG ALL LUNCH LONG

Our Accounts Team made time in between work for our amazing clients to take things to the tiles – the Mah Jongg tiles, that is! We’re proud of each of our teams of Madison+Main-iacs, but these brilliant client-facing folks do the nitty-gritty stuff to help our partners go from “what now?” to “WOW”! And we love seeing our crew get time to stretch their skills and learn new ones, while bonding in-office.

WEDNESDAY:

PIZZA PARTY

This weekend, it’s time to take a slice out of an amazing local birthday bash – celebrating two years of Zorch’s Forest Hill Pizza Parlor.

Head there this Saturday, August 29 from noon to ten PM! We’ll be celebrating deliciously the way only Zorch can —with pizza, tiki drinks, karaoke, games, raffle prizes, a dunk tank, throwback pricing, and plenty of backyard hangs. If you haven’t marked your calendar yet, now’s the time!

THURSDAY:

YEARLY CHECKUP… FOR YOUR HOME!

Back-to-school season isn’t just a reset for your routine—it’s a great time to reset your home, too. Our friends at Carroll Plumbing and Heating know a seasonal checkup helps your home stay healthy and comfy across seasons and as your habits and routine change! Keeping an eye on your systems with the experts proactively prevents emergencies later.

Need help getting your home ready for the season ahead? They’re just a call or convenient online booking away!

FRIDAY:

ON-AIR AND HONORING DOLLY

Ever had one of those great conversations where you just cover all the bases? I have one of those every Friday, with my good friend Rich Herrera on WRVA. From the opening of the Chesterfield County Fair to the opening of a new pre-historic exhibit out at the Metro Richmond Zoo and so much more, we talked through the can’t-miss events you can plan for this weekend and beyond! ICYMI, here’s the link!

We’re also so proud to bring eyes to this feel-good opportunity to give back – we encourage you to make a donation to The Imagination Library in honor of one of our greatest treasures here in the USA – the late great Dolly Parton.

Each month, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library mails a high-quality, age-appropriate book to all registered children, addressed to them, at no cost to the child’s family. 1 in 6 kids in America get a book from the library, and her legacy has provided around 300 million books.

At Colonial Downs, Saturday is Dolly Parton Day and they are also hosting a book drive for the Imagination Library. Admission is free and gates open at 11:30 am!

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS

Vision Forward with Tech for Troops

August 28 | 10:30 AM-1 PM

Tech For Troops is partnering with Meta to host an in-person training opportunity for blind and low-vision Veterans in Virginia. Veterans will receive hands-on support using a FREE pair of Ray-Ban Meta glasses and learn how AI-enabled smart glasses may support independence, connection, and everyday confidence.

Teeing Off On Cancer

September 21 | 11 AM-6 PM

“We risk missing out on joy when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.” – Brene Brown

The post FOMO | Weekly Report for August 28, 2026 appeared first on Madison+Main.

Beware of the Bogeyman | Weekly Report for August 21, 2026

Dave Saunders — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 01:29:50 +0000

Beware of the Bogeyman

The “Bogeyman,” aka “Boogieman,” aka “Boogeyman,” is a legendary, shapeless monster used by parents for generations to frighten kids into good behavior. Every culture on Earth has a version: “Cuca,” the crocodile woman in Brazil, “El Hombre del Saco,” the sack man in Spain, “Butzeman,” in Germany, and many others.

The Bogeyman is the antithesis of Santa, who punishes bad behavior by kidnapping kids…and, as legend has it, usually eats them. Telling these stories usually has the desired effect on children’s behavior in the short term, but it can cause anxiety and trust issues when the kids grow up.

Telling these stories to adults is also problematic. The media is full of stories of Bogeymen and Bogeywomen. This week, it’s apparently a guy in a creepy mask wandering around Philly. Random interviews on the street usually feature a frightened “local” who declares how frightened they are. The 2nd interviewee usually declares that the area is usually safe and “things like that don’t happen around here.” (Prediction: The story will last a few days before they catch the guy, most likely a teenager who will never wear the mask again.) In 72 hours, the news moves on to the next Bogeyman.

In the 70s and 80s, the media was fascinated with a string of real-life villains: Charles Manson, Ted Bundy, Son of Sam, and the Zodiac Killer. As a child, I was convinced that someone, somewhere on the nightly news, was going to kill me in the most gruesome way. These non-stop stories were decades before the 24-hour news cycle and were driven by intense public interest. News organizations sold more newspapers and got higher TV ratings when they followed the story.

In the mid-2000s, however, news organizations went “all in” on making Craigslist into a Bogeyman. Every week, stories appeared about petty robberies tied to Craigslist. Despite millions of users and transactions, newspaper headlines (not so much local TV news) started putting misdemeanor crimes on the front page.

The reason wasn’t necessarily public interest. It was greed.

Newspaper classified sections began losing ads directly to competitors like CareerBuilder and Cars.com in the late 90s and early 2000s. In 2005, Craigslist’s exponential growth was the final straw. How could the media compete with free advertising? They couldn’t and thus began a decade full of vilifying news reports warning readers about Craigslist Bogeymen: petty thieves and assaults, culminating in the “CRAIGSLIST KILLER.” *All caps added for emphasis. He could have just easily been called the “Boston Killer” or the “Med Student Strangler,” but news outlets branded Phillip Markoff as the “Craigslist Killer.”

The next time you see a news story about a media Bogeyman, take a step back and ask yourself a few questions. 1) Does this really affect me? 2) Is this a real villain, or is the media building a Bogeyman to get more revenue?

More eyeballs mean more money, and more vilification leads to more public fright.

Remember, the news is the news because it’s new. It most likely has nothing to do with you…like the Bogeyman.

What’s a recent Bogeyman story that raised eyebrows for you? Email me. I always love it when you write back to me.

MONDAY:

A FUN-RAISER

Save the date! On October 2nd, we are hosting the REUNION: A Fun-Raiser for the Jack Saunders Memorial Scholarship. Tickets are only $50 and include a “Freshman” Buffet, two drinks from the “Old School Bar,” and lots of fun, music, games, and prizes. One week after announcing, we raised $3,500 towards our $20,000 goal. Email me for sponsorship opportunities or click here for more information.

TUESDAY:

BRING YOUR KID TO WORK DAY

An impromptu “bring your kid to work day” happened Tuesday as Account Director Allison Nida brought her precious Grace into the office before her first day of kindergarten. Grace was a big helper, as Allison’s mini-me. She helped me by eating the cupcakes dropped off at the office by Digital Remedy, a valued M+M partner.

WEDNESDAY:

CHEERS TO 25 YEARS

This week, we helped our partners at WRAP and the Virginia DMV launch the Commonwealth’s 25th anniversary drunk driving enforcement and public awareness effort, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Keep an eye out for this campaign out in the wild, and always be sure to find a sober ride home. Stay safe, Virginia!

THURSDAY:

TIS (ALMOST) THE SEASON

The holidays will be here before you know it, and Atlas 42 is ready to host! If you’re starting to make plans for your office, family, or friends, keep Atlas 42 in mind. It’s a great place to get everyone together, grab some good food and drinks, and enjoy the season. Get in touch to learn more about hosting your party with them.

FRIDAY:

ANOTHER EVENTFUL WEEKEND

I spent this Friday morning the same way I have been for a while—with my good friend Rich Herrera on WRVA. ICYMI, we chatted about all of the cool events happening around RVA this weekend, including a charity “Meat Up” community cookout that Rich and I are hosting at Tom Leonard’s Farmer’s Market on Saturday, August 22, 2026. Starting at 11:00 AM, it ends when they sell out of the 200 pounds of tri-tip. 100% of proceeds from the fire-grilled Santa Maria-style tri-tip sandwiches benefit Wreaths Across America.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS

Free Virtual Workshop for Families Facing Addiction

August 22 | 9 AM-12 PM

In the words of our friends over at HARP RVA, “Addiction impacts the entire family, and many loved ones are left wondering how they can help. If you have a family member or friend who may benefit from this resource, please share. Recovery is stronger when families support, too.”

Slices only • Market Price

Vision Forward with Tech for Troops

August 28 | 10:30 AM-1 PM

Teeing Off On Cancer

September 21 | 11 AM-6 PM

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

The post Beware of the Bogeyman | Weekly Report for August 21, 2026 appeared first on Madison+Main.

Success Stories | Weekly Report for August 14, 2026

Dave Saunders — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 13:52:10 +0000

Success Stories

As Madison+Main closes in on its 21st birthday, I’ve been reflecting on success through the years and what that means.

After all, it’s human nature to dwell on the hardships and the challenges first. When reflecting upon the past, those are often the things that take center stage. Since starting the company in 2005, there have been plenty of challenges: lack of capital, the Great Recession, an employee embezzlement (2008), the pandemic, and post-pandemic crises. We survived it all and thrived.

Why? Our team. I made a deliberate choice when starting the company that we’d have a primary emphasis on “work/life balance.” I had worked for some real bastardly bosses through the years and had been worn out by work cultures that demanded total sacrifice. Creatives can burn out. I knew all too well the feeling of being overworked and under-appreciated. I was determined not to let that happen at M+M.

That culture of appreciation started with “celebrating success.”

Since the beginning, we start the M+MMMM (Madison+Main Monday Morning Meeting) with each team member sharing a personal and a professional success. This allows everyone to have the floor for a minute — introverts and extroverts alike — to share a “win” every single Monday.

Sometimes it devolves into “what I did over the weekend,” but that’s ok. Sharing each other’s personal and professional triumphs accomplishes so, so much.

It lets the whole team know what you worked on and gives others a true perspective of what you do.
It allows others to peek inside your life, and shared experience builds better teams.
It elevates morale and increases bonds between co-workers because your individual “win” is probably tied to a team objective.
If someone simply says “nothing” or “I don’t have anything worth sharing,” you can quickly determine that there’s a problem. They’re suffering in some way or disengaging from the team. You can step in and help with a solution.
It’s fun. Who wants to start Monday with a 17-point agenda?

I’ve been told that perhaps we shouldn’t do “personal and professional success stories every week”… or at all. Naysayers point to efficiency – “It takes 20 minutes with a team of 25 people.” They also say younger team members and/or introverts “feel like they’re put on the spot.” One colleague asked me point blank years ago, “What’s the point?” To which I answered, “People are the point.” I’ve staunchly insisted that the success stories remain on our agenda.

Develop, nurture, empower your people. That’s the way to build long-term success.

Need a team-building boost at your company? Go ahead, steal the idea. Start every Monday team meeting off with personal and professional success stories. You’ll love the result.

MONDAY:

COLLABORATION STATION

Back-to-school season means back-to-buildout season, which means LOTS of collaboration. But this is where the magic happens—especially when you have an incredible team who love nothing more than celebrating each other’s wins. Oh, how we love seeing calendars filled with collab sessions! Be on the lookout for some of our killer creative launching soon.

TUESDAY:

INC. 5000

Speaking of “Success Stories,” here’s one: We made the Inc. Magazine 5000 List… again!

The numbers are in, folks! Special thanks to our amazing clients and talented team of Madison+Main-iacs for making this possible. Every bold idea, every partnership, every project helped earn our place on the list of the fastest-growing private companies in America.

WEDNESDAY:

TERRIFIC TWOS

Happy birthday TWO Zorch! Zorch’s Forest Hill location is celebrating its second birthday on Saturday, Aug. 29, with a Backyard Bash from 12 PM to 10 PM. Enjoy throwback prices on their classic pies and slices, tiki drinks, karaoke, games, and more. You don’t want to miss out on the fun!

THURSDAY:

READY, SET, GO…

Carroll Plumbing and Heating is an official sponsor! Details soon to come, but what we can tell ya is that Carroll knows a thing or two about good timing. If your home is in need of HVAC maintenance or plumbing repairs, give Carroll a call at (804) 463-6336 or fill out their online form.

FRIDAY:

RADIO STAR

It’s Friday already?! Sheesh, this week flew by fast! There’s lots to do this weekend: live music, comedy shows, crab feasts, NASCAR, and wiener dog races? You bet! I got to chat all about it with my good friend Rich Herrera on WRVA’s Richmond Morning News. ICYMI, check it out here.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS

Free Virtual Workshop for Families Facing Addiction

August 22 | 9 AM-12 PM

Teeing Off On Cancer

September 21 | 11 AM-6 PM

“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

The post Success Stories | Weekly Report for August 14, 2026 appeared first on Madison+Main.

Madison+Main Earns Second Inc. 5000 Recognition, Strengthening Bold Legacy

Dave Saunders — Tue, 11 Aug 2026 18:09:29 +0000

Madison+Main Earns Second Inc. 5000 Recognition, Strengthening Bold Legacy

Virginia-based agency’s continued growth reflects a track record of success for both its clients and its own brand.

RICHMOND, V.A. (August 11th, 2026) — Madison+Main, a full-service marketing agency based in Richmond, Virginia, has been named in the 2026 Inc. 5000 list, recognizing the fastest-growing private companies in America. The honor reflects Madison+Main’s unique ability to transform big, bold ideas into measurable impact and lasting value for its clients. This is Madison+Main’s second time being included on the list, the first in 2022.

One of the most prestigious awards in business, the Inc. 5000 list is an annual look at the best-of-the-best in entrepreneurial organizations. This accomplishment comes just ahead of the agency’s 21st anniversary, marking another significant milestone in Madison+Main’s continued growth and success.

“This isn’t just recognition; it’s validation,” says Molly Whitfield, President and Chief Operating Officer of Madison+Main. “I am incredibly proud of the dedication, creativity, and breakthrough thinking we’ve always worked toward that help our clients stand out against competitors. Our work is meaningful, and to see it highlighted on the Inc. 5000 list is a reflection of the influence we continue to make.”

Madison+Main provides innovative branding, marketing, and public relations solutions for small and mid-sized organizations throughout the South Atlantic region. Guided by its motto, ‘Bold Brands Win,’ the agency helps clients break through the noise with strategic, creative solutions that strengthen brands and accelerate growth.

By helping organizations become leaders in their industries, Madison+Main has built its own reputation as a leader in the marketing space, an achievement again recognized through this inclusion on the Inc. 5000 list.

“Our vision has always been to help small organizations grow bigger and stronger and that happens because we’ve got an amazing team that shows up for our clients every day,” says Leanne Pillow, Vice President at Madison+Main. “This award tells us we’re growing alongside the clients we set out to help and we’re excited to keep pushing it further.”

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Ask Your Doctor | Weekly Report for August 7, 2026

Dave Saunders — Sun, 09 Aug 2026 18:06:26 +0000

Ask Your Doctor

Americans love solutions. Better yet, we love solutions that come in a childproof bottle with instructions we immediately ignore. Somewhere along the way, we decided that every inconvenience deserves a pharmaceutical sidekick.

Can’t sleep? Pill.

Sleep too much? Different pill.

Nervous before public speaking? Pill.

Too relaxed during public speaking? Surprisingly… another pill.

We have medications to lower blood pressure, raise blood pressure, lower cholesterol, raise attention spans, lower appetites, improve moods, improve moods caused by the medication that improved the first mood, and, if you watch enough television, medications to help with the side effects of all the medications you were already taking.

The commercials are omnipresent and diabolical.

A smiling couple rides bicycles through a meadow while the narrator casually mentions that the medicine may cause dizziness, blurred vision, spontaneous yodeling, explosive diarrhea, or “in rare cases, death.” The couple keeps pedaling like they didn’t hear any of it.

In recent weeks, I’ve seen a dozen people dancing in a Jardiance ad with a “big story to tell” starring some really big people. The “Oh, OH, Ozempic” jingle should be outlawed. Earlier this year, I wrote about a Super Bowl ad for Wegovy. 23 seconds of ad and 37 seconds of side effects.

But here’s the undeniable fact — the ads work. Big Pharma will spend over $8 BILLION this year on ads. And you will probably “ask your doctor” about something you saw on TV.

Where does it end? Our grandparents had one medicine cabinet. Today we need a medicine pantry. We’re becoming the only country on Earth that needs a spreadsheet just to remember what to take before breakfast.

I’m not anti-medicine. Modern pharmaceuticals have performed miracles. They’ve cured diseases that once terrified humanity and helped millions live longer, healthier lives. I’m anti-retail medicine. The doctor should be asking us about symptoms, not the other way around.

Somewhere between penicillin and prescription commercials with dancing cartoon intestines, we developed the belief that every problem has a capsule-shaped shortcut. Hear me, folks:

Sometimes the cure isn’t found at the pharmacy.

Sometimes it’s eight hours of sleep.

Sometimes it’s drinking more water.

Sometimes it’s taking a walk instead of taking another tablet.

And sometimes it’s simply admitting that life occasionally comes with headaches that can’t be fixed by medicine.

However, if someone invents a pill that eliminates pointless meetings, endless email chains, and people who reply all, I’ll gladly be their first customer. Look out, world—here comes once-daily Damitol.

I just hope the commercial won’t be longer than the list of side effects.

MONDAY:

A SLICE OF NOSTALGIA

The best things happen around a pizza. So what could make those moments even better? The BEST pizza—aka Zorch Pizza. A couple of months ago, we teamed up with production powerhouse Spang TV to serve up a slice of nostalgia with a new commercial for Zorch Pizza. Check it out here!

TUESDAY:

804 DAY

Missed out on the 804 Day Block Party last weekend? Here are a few fun facts about RVA to keep the party going!

Richmond is home to the first electric trolley invented by Frank J. Sprague in 1888.
Richmond was founded in 1737, making it 40 years older than the United States.
The James River is the only river in the country with a city skyline view that has Class III and Class IV rapids.

WEDNESDAY:

WE’RE PINCHING OURSELVES

Save the date! Richmond Rotary is hosting the Blue Crab Festival in Church Hill on September 12 from 12-3 p.m. Pick freshly steamed, spiced crabs, enjoy live music by The Wybro’s, and peruse selections from our silent auction. There’s something here for the whole family! Learn more about the event and buy tickets here.

THURSDAY:

AMA-ZING

Our small, but mighty copy team just got even mightier. On Thursday, the copy team dedicated the afternoon to professional development by attending the American Marketing Association (AMA) Brand Positioning workshop. Skills have been sharpened, traditional ways of thinking have been challenged, and now we have even bolder ideas for helping our clients build brands that last the test of time.

FRIDAY:

EVENTFUL WEEKEND

TGIF! I spent another great morning on WRVA’s Richmond Morning News with Rich Herrera, chatting all things RVA events this weekend. The Richmond Jazz Fest, comedy shows, farmers markets, and more—ICYMI, check it out here!

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS

Free Virtual Workshop for Families Facing Addiction

August 22 | 9 AM-12 PM

Teeing Off On Cancer

September 21 | 11 AM-6 PM

“The art of medicine consists in amusing the patient while nature cures the disease.” – Voltaire

The post Ask Your Doctor | Weekly Report for August 7, 2026 appeared first on Madison+Main.

Saying Nothing Says Everything | Weekly Report for July 31, 2026

Dave Saunders — Mon, 03 Aug 2026 02:02:38 +0000

Saying Nothing Says Everything

“I had the right to remain silent. I did not have the ability,” is one of my all-time favorite lines by comedian Ron White. It’s the punchline to a joke he tells about being arrested outside a New York City bar.

In White’s case, saying nothing might have been the best course of action, but in most cases I advise PR clients to say something. Lawyers will always advise you to say nothing, and if you’re about to be arrested, that’s probably a good idea.

Companies, and the people who lead them, however, should never say “No comment” when asked a question. I’ve seen hundreds of videos of people saying “No comment” when questioned by a reporter on the street or on the courthouse steps. It may help your case in court, but a simple, direct “no comment” doesn’t help you in the “court of public opinion.”

There are two sides to every story, even in journalism, yet the narrative told by the reporter doesn’t have two balanced sides if one party says, “no comment.” That two-word phrase makes you instantly the villain in the tale. In court, there’s a presumption of innocence under the law. In the press, there’s a presumption of guilt, cover-up, or worse. Saying nothing says everything the audience needs to know.

That’s why I found it very interesting that Dr. Anthony Fauci chose not to answer questions this week in front of Senators. Love him or hate him – and I’m not sharing my opinion on the man here – I think he really needed PR counsel, not just legal counsel. Despite his Presidential pardon, Fauci still chose to essentially say “no comment,” but in a slightly longer way. “On the advice of counsel, I respectfully decline to answer based upon my rights under the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.”

Dr. Fauci is not the first and won’t be the last to invoke the 5th. Mark McGuire (disgraced MLB home run king), Martin Shkreli (the pharma bro who raised drug prices 5,000%), Ghislaine Maxwell (Jeffrey Epstein’s partner), and dozens of mafia members have also invoked their 5th amendment rights in front of Congress. Regardless of where you stand, it’s not a good look for the man or his legacy. If you invoke the 5th, you’re automatically lumped in with a lot of other nefarious characters.

This week, media stories were divided, and so were opinions. Now you have mine, from the PR angle.

If you, or your company, find yourself in a tight spot – under media scrutiny for something you did or didn’t do- call your lawyer…and then contact me. Always happy to give PR advice.

MONDAY:

ANOTHER YEAR WISER

Some birthdays call for cake. Others call for using some well-deserved PTO. On Monday, Account Director Allison Nida celebrated hers the right way—with a day off to relax, enjoy herself, and do a little thrifting. Happy birthday from all of us at Madison+Main! We hope it was one for the books.

TUESDAY:

MERRY…JULY?

Sometimes the best ideas come after the laptops close. Which is why on Tuesday, our team wrapped up the workday with an impromptu happy hour at our HQ. It was a great chance for the team to catch up, share a few laughs, and toast another productive start to the week.

WEDNESDAY:

UNDER WRAPS

Speaking of Christmas, our team gathered this week to kick around ideas for our annual client gifts. We can’t reveal what’s in the works just yet, but let’s just say we’re thinking BIG this year. If you’re a client reading this, you’ll just have to stay curious (and patient) for a few more months. We promise the wait will be worth it.

THURSDAY:

ROLL UP A SLEEVE

Our friends at CowanGates are hosting their Memorial Blood Drive in partnership with Drive Safely—Someone Loves You on August 5. This annual event is in honor of Nick Booth, Will Hammitt, and founder Frank Cowan. Help make a difference, swing by Salisbury Country Club between 1-5 p.m., and donate blood to save up to three lives. It only takes about eight minutes to donate, but the impact can last a lifetime. As an added bonus, you’ll burn around 650 calories and receive a mini health screening along the way. Sounds like a pretty good trade if you ask me.

FRIDAY:

WEEKEND CHEAT SHEET

Every Friday I do the homework so you don’t have to. This morning I joined Gary Hess on WRVA for Richmond’s Morning News to round up some of the best happenings around Richmond this weekend. My all-time favorite Caddyshack plays on the big screen at The Byrd Theatre, an 804 Day celebration kicks off a bit early at the 17th Street Market—you name it, we covered it. If you missed the segment, jump to the 9:04 mark and steal a few ideas.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS

Free Virtual Workshop for Families Facing Addiction

August 22 | 9 AM-12 PM

Teeing Off On Cancer

September 21 | 11 AM-6 PM

“In the old days, all you needed was a handshake. Nowadays you need forty lawyers.” – Jimmy Hoffa

The post Saying Nothing Says Everything | Weekly Report for July 31, 2026 appeared first on Madison+Main.

The Wright Stuff | Weekly Report for July 24, 2026

Dave Saunders — Mon, 27 Jul 2026 02:12:28 +0000

The Wright Stuff

On the 100th birthday of flight in 2003, I found myself on a cold, overcast day wandering around the grounds of the Wright Brothers Memorial. It was December, but Kitty Hawk was packed. No hotel rooms. I camped out in my Jeep in mid-December.

As a history buff, I couldn’t get enough of the story; two bicycle shop brothers who used their brains and ingenuity to create the world’s manned flying machine. With little money and no corporate backers, Orville flew “The Wright Flyer” 120 feet in 12 seconds. Later in the day, he managed to stay aloft over 800 feet. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Or is it? Recently, historians are giving Orville and Wilbur’s sister Katharine Wright some long-overdue credit for the dynamic duo’s success.

Unlike her two younger brothers, Katharine was a college graduate (Oberlin College) and started her career as a teacher. Katharine was a driving force behind the operation, managing the family business, nursing Orville back to health after a near-fatal crash and was there from the beginning as a helpmate, confidant, and cheerleader. Acting as their business manager, publicist, and translator, she secured critical European funding, garnered worldwide fame and charmed international dignitaries, ultimately earning the French Legion of Honor.

After the famous flight, it was sister Katharine who navigated the celebrity and the new airplane business with aplomb. At the time she was celebrated in newspaper articles and was the toast of the town when she travelled abroad.

And then somewhere the story changed. Orville and Wilbur got the credit and Katharine faded into oblivion. She continued to play a behind-the-scenes role, fighting hard to ensure her brothers’ names received the fame, even fighting the Smithsonian Institution, which had erroneously credited Samuel Pierpont Langley with the first flight. (This was finally corrected in 1942.)

Katharine spent so much of her life being the publicist for her brothers that she failed to highlight her own accomplishments.

The PR lesson? In the course of your work publicizing others, it’s OK to “toot your own horn.”

Being in OBX this week reminded me that the exhibits at the Wright Brothers Memorial now include a section dedicated to Katharine’s efforts. Long overdue. Well-deserved.

For more info on Katharine Wright, visit here.

MONDAY:

SMART PUPS CLUB

Our creative team recently helped our friends at Holiday Barn Pet Resorts unleash a new Nextdoor ad campaign promoting their dog training programs. Right now, pet parents can save $250 on a 15-day training program designed to improve obedience, behavior, and communication. Because “she only listens when she feels like it” isn’t exactly a long-term strategy.

TUESDAY:

LET THE PLANNING BEGIN

Believe it or not, people are already planning holiday parties. (I know…we’re still mentally in July, too.) If you’ve got a wedding, corporate function, fundraiser, or private celebration on the horizon, our friends at Atlas42 offer beautiful indoor and outdoor event spaces for groups of 20 to 400+ guests. Go ahead, book a free in-person tour or take a virtual tour and cross “find a venue” off your to-do list before everyone else beats you to it.

WEDNESDAY:

LET’S TACO ‘BOUT IT

Every once in a while, you have to close the laptop, grab a taco, and catch up with your teammates. That’s exactly what a few of our Madison+Main-iacs did this week at Wong’s Tacos. Turns out chips, queso, and conversation are a pretty solid recipe for an afternoon reset.

THURSDAY:

ROLL UP A SLEEVE

FRIDAY:

ON AIR

I called into Richmond’s Morning News on WRVA to chat with Gary Hess (who was filling in for Rich Herrera) and share a few fun happenings around Richmond this weekend. Highlights include a Richmond Animal Care and Control fundraiser at the Cirrus Vodka Tasting Room, A Tribute to Prince featuring Johnny Jupiter at The Tin Pan, and the 17th annual Beer, Bourbon, and BBQ Festival at Meadow Event Park. In case you missed the full segment, we’ve got you covered—just jump to the 9:03 mark.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS

Free Virtual Workshop for Families Facing Addiction

August 22 | 9 AM-12 PM

Teeing Off On Cancer

September 21 | 11 AM-6 PM

“When the world speaks of the Wrights, it must include our sister. Much of our effort has been inspired by her.” – Orville Wright

The post The Wright Stuff | Weekly Report for July 24, 2026 appeared first on Madison+Main.

Keep Casting | Weekly Report for July 17, 2026

Dave Saunders — Sat, 18 Jul 2026 02:58:04 +0000

Keep Casting

It’s official, folks. Dave Saunders has photographic proof that he can catch big fish. And while he continues to cruise around Canada casting lines, I’ve been handed the Weekly Report for another week. For those who may need a quick reminder, I’m Derek Fair, Senior Copywriting Manager here at Madison+Main.

Now, I should probably admit something upfront: I’m not much of a fisherman. My expertise begins and ends with knowing you need water, a pole, and two coolers. (One for fish. One for beer.) After that, I’m pretty much out of ideas.

But the more I thought about Dave spending his vacation waiting for something to bite, the more I realized fishing and marketing have a surprising amount in common.

Both require patience, the right bait, and have a funny way of making you question every decision you’ve made when absolutely nothing is happening. Although fish are usually polite enough not to send an email that says, “Thanks, but we’ve decided to go with another lure.”

The best fishermen don’t just toss a random lure into the water and hope for the best. They know what they’re trying to catch. They know where to find it. They know what it’s most likely to bite. And they prepare accordingly…down to what time is most ideal. Marketing isn’t much different.

You don’t create an ad just because you think it’s clever. You create it because you understand your audience—including what they care about, what problems they’re trying to solve, and what will actually make them stop scrolling long enough to pay attention.

And when the fish aren’t biting? You don’t throw your rod in the lake and head home. You switch lures. You try a different spot. Go at a different time. You adjust to the conditions. Great marketing works the same way. Sometimes the smartest strategy isn’t trying harder; it’s trying differently. You’ve got to be dedicated to monitoring the data, optimizing what’s working, testing out new creative, refining your targeting, running ads at a different time, swapping the call to action, and making strategic adjustments on the fly—way before a campaign burns through time, budget, and opportunity.

In the end, the wrong bait won’t catch the right fish. The wrong message won’t catch the right customer. Sometimes you catch nothing. Sometimes you catch exactly what you were after. The difference is, the people who succeed don’t stop casting after the first miss. Because eventually…something big bites.

MONDAY:

A ROUND OF APPLAUSE

This week, our friends at Two Rivers Country Club hosted their 27th Annual Public Safety Golf Tournament, welcoming first responders from across the Williamsburg region for a well-deserved day on the course. The invite-only event brought together law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, and more while also giving attendees a first look at the club’s stunning $13 million renovation.

Beyond celebrating its 35th anniversary, Two Rivers used the day to recognize the people who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities. It’s always great to see a client invest not only in its facilities, but also in the people who make a difference every day. Kudos to the entire Two Rivers team for hosting another memorable tournament.

TUESDAY:

WINE NOT?

On Tuesday, Vice President Leanne Pillow met her Alumni Insiders ladies for happy hour at The Wine Whisperer. It was a great chance to reconnect in Short Pump, share a few laughs, and enjoy some well-earned time outside the office.

Pictured from left to right: Cathy Saunders (Long & Foster Realtor), Kelly All (InterMetro Industries Corp.), Leanne Pillow, and Melissa Loman Thurston (Red Pen Virtual Assistants). Cheers to great conversations and even better company!

WEDNESDAY:

NOW SERVING: THE MONTHLY SLICE

Our team has been busy in the kitchen (the creative kitchen, that is) whipping up a new way for Zorch Pizza fans to stay connected. Introducing The Monthly Slice—an e-newsletter packed with specials, new menu drops, upcoming events, and the wonderfully weird pizza updates that make Zorch, well…Zorch.

Want first dibs on the latest news? Sign up today and get the good stuff delivered straight to your inbox. No spam. No fluff. Just pizza, perks, and plenty of neighborhood happenings.

THURSDAY:

TAILS FROM THE TROPICS

Summer vacations are great. But who says humans should have all the fun? Our friends at Holiday Barn Pet Resorts are giving pups their own tropical escape with the Canine Coconut Cabana Spa Package. Available all July long, this $15 pampering package includes coconut shampoo, grapefruit conditioner, a coconut facial, cologne, and even a flip-flop-shaped treat to take home. Now, if your dog starts asking for a passport next, don’t say Holiday Barn didn’t warn you.

FRIDAY:

REELING IN THE VACATION

Speaking of vacations, after a week spent chasing prehistoric fish in northern Ontario, Canada, Dave is officially headed home. Well…eventually. Thanks to the Canadian wildfires, he found himself stranded in the Duluth, Minnesota airport this morning—but that didn’t stop him from joining Rich Herrera on Richmond’s Morning News to spotlight a few great events happening around the city.

One of those highlights is Anthem’s LemonAid for Kids fundraiser, happening all weekend long to support courageous kids fighting cancer at Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. Click here to find a stand near you. You can also jump to the 9:04 mark to hear about Christmas in July at CarMax Park and a few other can’t-miss events around RVA.

A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS

Free Virtual Workshop for Families Facing Addiction

August 22 | 9 AM-12 PM

Teeing Off On Cancer

September 21 | 11 AM-6 PM

“Most of the world is covered by water. A fisherman’s job is simple: Pick out the best parts.” – Charles Waterman

The post Keep Casting | Weekly Report for July 17, 2026 appeared first on Madison+Main.