ShanghaiZhan: All Things Global Marketing, Advertising, Tech & Platforms
Who Will Own the Future of Advertising: Ivan Fernandes
September 27, 2026
AI may be accelerating change in advertising, but the bigger story is what happens to the industry itself. Strategic advisor Ivan Fernandes joins Bryce and Ali to debate the future of agencies. Ivan works with agency groups, marketing services businesses, technology companies, founders and investors, and writes extensively on the changing economics of advertising, agency operating models, AI, consolidation and private equity. We explore the growing power of platforms and clients, holding-company consolidation, the rise of independents, and whether brands should own their own marketing technology and data. So what does the agency of the future actually look like — and who will be running it?
AI may be accelerating change in advertising, but the bigger story is what happens to the industry itself.

Strategic advisor Ivan Fernandes joins Bryce and Ali to debate the future of agencies. Ivan works with agency groups, marketing services businesses, technology companies, founders and investors, and writes extensively on the changing economics of advertising, agency operating models, AI, consolidation and private equity.

We explore the growing power of platforms and clients, holding-company consolidation, the rise of independents, and whether brands should own their own marketing technology and data.

So what does the agency of the future actually look like — and who will be running it?

Key Takeaways

About Ivan:  https://ivanfernandes.me/
Ivan on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanfernandes1/

For everything ShanghaiZhan:  http://zhanstation.com/

Bryce on Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/brycewhitwam/
Ali on Linkedin:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/alikazmi/