5 More Questions with Erin Madsen, MSPC Vice President of Content
By Kate Rogers | March 30, 2021
MSPC vice president of content Erin Madsen guides the efforts of more than 70 content creators as they work in tandem with MSPC’s comprehensive digital services team on content strategies, ideation, creation, optimization, distribution and measurement for both clients and business development projects.
Since joining MSPC in 2012, Erin’s collaborative team more than doubled unique website visits to an owned media platform for a Fortune 200 consumer goods company. She was honored as The Content Council’s 2017 Rising Star.
What’s your favorite way to work through a writing block?
Keep plugging away. Like many creatives, I am a grade-A procrastinator when it comes to a big project that needs hours of attention. Simply starting and cranking up some music eventually gets me in the flow.
As a professional, you rarely have the luxury to only write when you’re “feeling it,” so you need to write like it’s your job—show up and do the work.
Who do you think your dog thinks you are?
The love of her life. Barb is our 9.5-year-old greyhound, and when we met her, they told me greyhounds have “their person” even though they love everyone. She immediately locked eyes on me, and they said, “you’re obviously going to be hers!”
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A doctor. I worked as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) in high school and college, and spent my first two years of college working through pre-med requisites. Chemistry was my kryptonite and made me reevaluate my plans. Then I fell in love with writing while studying abroad in Ireland.
Shout out to two wonderful English professors—Pat Hagen and Tom Zelman—who encouraged me!
You spent several years working in the Betty Crocker test kitchens. Do you ever see a recipe now that excites and challenges you? Or do you pretty much nail them out of the gate every time?
Cooking and baking are forms of therapy and sources of inspiration for me. I probably succeed more often than I fail since I tend to follow recipes exactly at least the first time I make them. But that doesn’t always lead to success!
I recently made a dessert recipe from a favorite cookbook author and had to throw it away—it was an absolute flop. I reread the recipe several times and still have no idea what happened.
Do you have a catchphrase?
Jesus, take the wheeeeel.
Read more about Erin in a previous 5 Questions: 5 Questions for Erin Madsen
