Etail, ecommerce, pure plays, online retail, omni channel, clicks and bricks, traditional retail — these are today’s business buzzwords when it comes to shopping. They cover the three types of companies fighting for the customer’s dollar — the 100 per cent online retailer, the 100 per cent in-store retailer and those doing a combination of both.

The mind behind some of Australia's most iconic advertising campaigns has been appointed as a Director to the Board of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra. Baxter (right) is pictured here with SSO Vanguard Chair Justin Di Lollo and SSO Chief Conductor and Artistic Director David Robertson.

The automation of digital media buying certainly has its enthusiasts. Marketers love that you can serve up a personalised ad to someone based on what they’ve been up to online and where they are. Media buyers love anything that makes their day simpler and more accountable in a marketing landscape growing in complexity.

An interview with Pip Stocks in CMO Magazine's Podcast series, on understanding customer engagement and customer journeys

Australia is full of very successful second- and third-generation family businesses. But look carefully and you will find a big area of tension — an arm wrestle between older and younger family members. That area is marketing.