Thanks for the comments … I’d love to talk more. You mention that advertising’s role is the “job of marketing professionals and the advertising industry in particular” to “listen, undertsand and truly communicate with customers that will interject civility into those relationships and enhance brand value at the same time.”

I couldn’t agree more … I just think that the advertising industry, in many ways, has gotten away from this. (I do think the advertising business model is troubled … sorry if you think “sick” is too strong a word!) I invite you to look at both of my books – I’ll even send them to you if you send your address! – for views on how marketing works best when it is a reflection of real life, most particularly when it is about relationship building. I just think that much advertising, as it is practiced, has gotten away from this and focused on a mode of communication that doesn’t really reflect how communication really happens in life.