I love AI. I really do. In the advertising world, it’s like suddenly having a 24/7 creative department that never sleeps, never complains about deadlines, and doesn’t charge overtime. It can spit out headlines, draft scripts, create art, and even suggest campaign strategies in seconds. Incredible, right? But here’s the danger: AI’s brilliance can make...
At a recent Q&A with business students, I was asked a refreshingly honest question: “What do clients really want to know from advertising agencies?” Not what agencies hope they’ll ask—but what they’re truly thinking. I applauded the question because it hit a nerve in the right way. Too many agencies still hide behind smoke and...
In the fast-paced, algorithm-tuned world of modern marketing, where AI writes headlines, digital platforms change by the minute, and customer data fuels every strategy, you might wonder: Are the old advertising books still worth reading? Can anything written in the age of Mad Men possibly help in the era of machine learning? The answer is...
Recently I was asked by a college student what advice I would give someone who was thinking about stepping into the industry. Good question. After 40+ years in the advertising business, I’ve certainly seen it all — the booms, the busts, the revolutions, and the returns to basics. If you’re a college student dreaming of...
Spring is the season of renewal. Nature awakens from its slumber, trees bud, flowers bloom, and the air is filled with the promise of new beginnings. Just as the world around us experiences a fresh start, spring offers a timely reminder that both our personal lives and businesses can benefit from a season of renewal....
In today’s hyperconnected world, businesses and advertising agencies feel increasing pressure to be culturally and politically relevant. The fear of appearing out of touch often leads brands to weave social and political themes into their advertising. But as history has shown, misreading the political tea leaves can spell disaster for a brand’s reputation and bottom...
The advertising industry has always reflected the times—adapting, innovating, and evolving in response to societal, technological, and cultural shifts. From the Mad Men days of print and broadcast dominance to the data-driven digital age, agencies have consistently found ways to reinvent themselves. With the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), the industry is once again experiencing...
I played a round of golf with my son recently – something we hadn’t done since he was probably 12 (he is now 32) – and the time with him was priceless. While we regularly talk, and even visit each other often, the time on the golf course was simply different. Relaxed. The craziness of...
I read a post on LinkedIn recently that said: “Your boss isn’t a friend. Work isn’t a family. Remember that a job is just a job”. Really? I couldn’t disagree more. This shallow statement reflects a mindset rooted in self-preservation, boundaries, and skepticism toward the modern workplace. While there may be valid reasons for such...
78Madison’s CEO Joe Bouch has been plowing away in the same industry – advertising agencies – for over 45 years. When I began my career on Madison Avenue in 1978, the advertising world was a bustling, high-stakes arena, and the agency industry was the beating heart of it all. Over the decades, the industry has...