Brand vs. Performance: United We Stand, Divided We Fall - feat. Renowned Adman, Ellis Verdi
Tue Feb 03 2026
Marketing has become obsessed with what’s measurable—and brands are paying the price.
Stephanie Pryor talks with legendary advertising leader Ellis Verdi (DeVito/Verdi) about why classic, truth-rooted creative still matters, how performance marketing created an imbalance that weakened brand saliency, and why “clever” isn’t the same as creative. They also unpack how AI can support production—but can’t replace big ideas—and Ellis shares advice for marketers who feel anxious about the future of creativity.
Connect with Ellis:
https://www.devitoverdi.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellis-verdi-85b329/
Connect with Stephanie:
https://lancmarketing.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieapryor/
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Marketing has become obsessed with what’s measurable—and brands are paying the price. Stephanie Pryor talks with legendary advertising leader Ellis Verdi (DeVito/Verdi) about why classic, truth-rooted creative still matters, how performance marketing created an imbalance that weakened brand saliency, and why “clever” isn’t the same as creative. They also unpack how AI can support production—but can’t replace big ideas—and Ellis shares advice for marketers who feel anxious about the future of creativity. Connect with Ellis: https://www.devitoverdi.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellis-verdi-85b329/ Connect with Stephanie: https://lancmarketing.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephanieapryor/