I still think a worldwide marketing services group could work. It brings something very different than integrated agencies that started with advertising. |
If we're reduced to being tacticians, we'll never be able to build brands. We need to get to a higher point, like with the CEO. But it's tough to find heroes willing to say 'I believe in long-term brands' and stay the course. |
It has opened our minds to see work internationally, and helped give us a sense of our own intellectual, creative worth. It helped us grow up. |
It's a two-sided sword: When things go well, everyone does well. When things are bad, you need to support [sister agencies] and know they're there to support you. |
The idea that the brand essence can come from anywhere brought a lot of energy to us. It made advertising a practice, not the be-all and end-all, and it gave credibility to our strategic planning people as more than tacticians. |