Written analysis/Marketing
Are we better at marketing today than we were in the past?
At Cannes, the conversation often came back to the stark contrast between the thoughtful debates happening in the Palais and the ad-tech dominance on the beaches…

At Cannes, the conversation often came back to the stark contrast between the thoughtful debates happening in the Palais and the ad-tech dominance on the beaches, yachts, and in the hotels.Ad-tech has brought no shortage of “innovation” and ideas about how marketing should be done — but it raises the question: Has all this tech actually made us better marketers?I put that question to media owners, clients, agencies — and even the world-famous Les Binet. With all the data, targeting capabilities, consumer insights, research tools, and an ever-expanding media ecosystem at our disposal… are we truly better at marketing today than we were in the past?
Kelly Williams Les Binet Ross Sergeant Ian Whittaker Alan Moss Kara Osborne Gladwell Brian Wieser, CFA Special mention to Rak Patel who did the interview but the sound was dice. Sorry mate. So many helpers to make this piece.

Marketing
"The performance of performance marketing is governed by brand": James Hurman's case for balance
In most categories, more than 70% of buyers aren't in the market today, and 84% of purchases go to a brand the buyer already had in mind before they started looking. James Hurman explains why that makes brand and performance a love story, not a budget fight.
7 Nov 2026 · 5 min

Marketing
All the problems with modern marketing - with Les Binet
When you look at The Long and the Short of It — now over a decade old — it outlines a 60/40 split between brand and performance. That’s a guideline, and for many…
10 Jul 2025 · 2 min

Marketing
AI was supposed to make brands irrelevant. Data says the opposite.
On the latest Media Unfiltered podcast we spoke to Shane Skillen about AI shopping assistants, media plans that lean towards the companies that built the AI, the creator gold rush, and whether TV can win the argument.
25 Oct 2026 · 4 min
The Newsletter
Never miss a piece
A short note in your inbox when a new episode or piece lands — the argument, the data and where to find it. No noise.