Mentorship is having a moment again. Programs are being announced, structures are being formalized, and metrics are being discussed. All of that has value. But at its best, mentorship has never been about systems. It has always been about people. That’s why Moroch Partners’ recent announcement of the Jack Phifer Mentorship Program stopped me in...
You did everything “right.” You chose a major. You completed internships. You sought mentors. You landed a job. You worked hard, stayed late, learned the ropes, and built a résumé that actually looks respectable. And now, ten years in, you find yourself asking a quiet but persistent question: Did I pick the right career? This...
There’s a saying that’s been floating around boardrooms for years: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” I heard it again today, and it stopped me in my tracks. Not because it’s new, but because it’s still undeniably true, and nowhere is that truth more visible than in the advertising agency industry. Advertising loves strategy. · We...
In today’s world, anyone and everyone can generate a website in seconds. It’s true. AI can spin one up before your coffee cools. There are templates galore — drag, drop, done. But let’s be honest… does fast mean effective? Sure, it’s easy to click your way to something that looks like a website. But what...
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...
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...
In an industry where buzzwords and generalizations often cloud the conversation, it’s crucial to peel back the layers and focus on the essence of what businesses truly seek in an advertising agency partner. Despite all the rhetoric about innovation, disruption, and creativity, my 45 years of experience with businesses of all sizes have allowed me...
As I am approaching 46 years in the advertising agency business – from Madison Avenue to Orlando and everything in between – I am often asked what advice I would give to build a winning local advertising agency. Of course I could write a book on such a subject, but ultimately my readers digest answer...
As we age, I think we all reflect on a life once was and reminisce about “how fun things use to be”. Was the advertising agency business more fun back in the day? In my opinion, it was. I was recently sharing with my team that today’s workplace and workday just seems to have become...