Rob Gropper,
Have a look at all the responses. I'm not attempting to endear myself to a certain crowd, sometimes things need to be said that people don't like to hear. From the responses other people find this helpful.I don't know where you got the inference that I was saying founders are "less than intelligent." As a founder a number of times, the first time using my own money 15 years ago, it would be an odd thing to say, nor did I say founders are "dumb." This is a discussion area and I was proving discussion, but nonetheless I am sincerely sorry if you feel your expertise or effort are being questioned.
To address your points:
1. Yes marketers have done an awful job marketing themselves to startups. There is however an obsession with cost instead of value. 100% agree
2. My point is that marketing needs to be a priority. Marketing isn't just selling. It should be inseparable from product / service development.What is the point in building a product/brand/service without understanding the market and understanding demand? Pre qualification is vital, and overlooked. I'm sorry but this kind of proves my point about the need for startups to try and embrace and understand marketing. Marketing needs to be understood by every startup from Day 1. And again, it isn't about buying media.
3. I agree it is often difficult to correlate marketing to revenue, but if you simply take a revenue generated approach to your marketing then the growth path is usually tough. I 100% agree that a pay for performance model should be adopted by all, including brand metrics that can be measured and do impact startups (like purchase intent, affinity, metrics that directly effect your cost per acquisition).
4. I didn't start the discussion feeling the need to establish my expertise by proof points. And I think it is fine to point out problems to start discussion. Not sure why you feel me pointing out an issue is a personal "insult" to you, perhaps you could ask with an open mind if maybe my point applies to you, without taking it personally. I am not questioning your intelligence, heart, desire or expertise, I am simply pointing out something as an expert in a field.
I do have an intent, as I previously commented, to provide 5 key issues that I see and what could help address these. This is a discussion forum, and again if you feel that I questioned your intelligence then I apologize for that.