I still think a worldwide marketing services group could work. It brings something very different than integrated agencies that started with advertising.

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.

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.

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.