I don't really know where you fit in the ad world, so I can't uncover your bias...but one of the largest ad buyers in the world, Machine Zone's own CEO talks about the blatant fraud throughout the ad world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXBqzpExvrk

I never said all ad buyers are incompetent. Performance advertisers are very disciplined, but most of the ad world is not performance ad buying.

If you were truly honest with yourself you would know how often data is manipulated to tell an anecdotal story or support a clearly biased outcome.

If you really believe most advertisers are disciplined to statistical significance, and demand true accountability from their ad dollars, you should read https://www.cia.gov/library/center-for-the-study-of-intellig...

To learn more about cognitive biases and how to properly use data.
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I am not saying that advertising doesn't work or that you cant turn a profit with all the fraud, or even that a 3% conversion rate is bad...

I am just saying if it doesn't get you pissed to see all the waste, you are part of the problem, not the solution. I will never stop trying to improve results...its a stupid cop out to say, "we price fraud into our bids."

For what its worth, the stakeholders do benefit from the bad behavior. Ad tech companies are struggling...realizing their fancy data and algorithms don't justify the price they need to charge. They are forced to show growth to their investors, so they turn a blind eye to fraud and bots. They pay it lipservice, and thats it.

Ad agencies are using archaic billing models from 70 years ago, and are essentially sales organizations forced to get ad spend up and willing to do anything to justify that spend.

The big brands are not demanding a fully closed feedback loop. They are using tests for things like Lift and all sorts of correlated data that doesn't really reflect true accountability.

There is so much BS being spun in the digital marketing world and 3/4 of the industry would be out of work if they were all honest with themselves and where they are going.

Google and Facebook are the only two ad tech players who have sustainable models. all the other ad tech companies are stealing from peter to pay paul and most will eventually crumble and fall.

re: your personal attacks and your beliefs about thought leaders? Ask yourself this. who is questioning the status quo and who is defending it? Thought Leaders break away from the pack and ask the tough questions.

You are of course welcome to disagree with my viewpoints. But that doesn't make me wrong and you right. Things are never that black and white. We both have sincere and legitimate perspectives and as long as we are discussing it, its a useful conversation.
I feel like your attacks mean you are on the defensive. I apologize for upsetting you. I obviously don't know you and had no intention of attacking you or putting you on the defensive.

In a similar vain, I am not saying everyone is a corrupt crook. I actually think most of the people in digital marketing are sincere in their beliefs...From my perspective though, many of them are blinded by self interest and can't really see the forest from the trees.

Every advertiser I ever worked with demanded accountability, but 9/10 times it was more about having good news to deliver up the food chain and not about actually succeeding. When I watched ad strategies failing leading to job layoffs, I realized that this isn't some game to just throw money at, and find data to make you look good. Marketing is very serious, and its time people started questioning everything from pricing transparency in exchanges to fully closing the feedback loop on lifetime value.

Its time we actually measured everything possible, instead of just enough to impress our bosses.