Advertising can indicate a lack of product differentiation, especially in the services industry where relationships are crucial. Companies with truly differentiated products tend to be less reliant on advertising for success and shareholder value growth. Tech companies like Netflix leverage unconventional marketing strategies like using TikTok for free advertising to succeed. Successful companies have common traits like being asset light, having multiple revenue streams, and reduced reliance on advertising. The traditional advertising industry is being disrupted by digital giants like Google and Meta, leading to increased competition and challenges in attribution for brand building. The future of advertising and brand building may not be promising, as industries like supply chain management and recurring revenue gain more importance over traditional brand-focused strategies.