--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It was never mentioned at the time, but…" description: "\"“It was never mentioned at the time, but the widespread pursuit of shareholder value initiatives put marketing in the back seat among other strategic p..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b1/michael-farmer-22896_marketing_it-was-never-mentioned-at-the-time-but-t_461491.jpg" --- # It was never mentioned at the time, but the widespread… ![“It was never mentioned at the time, but the widespread pursuit of shareholder value initiatives put marketing in the back seat among other strategic priorities. There were easier ways of growing the top- and bottom-lines than by gambling on marketing. Marketing was uncertain and difficult in the…” quote by Michael Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b1/michael-farmer-22896_marketing_it-was-never-mentioned-at-the-time-but-t_461491.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b1/michael-farmer-22896_marketing_it-was-never-mentioned-at-the-time-but-t_461491.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7b1/michael-farmer-22896_marketing_it-was-never-mentioned-at-the-time-but-t_461491.jpg) > ““It was never mentioned at the time, but the widespread pursuit of shareholder value initiatives put marketing in the back seat among other strategic priorities. There were easier ways of growing the top- and bottom-lines than by gambling on marketing. Marketing was uncertain and difficult in the recession-prone, post-Golden-Age decades.”” [Michael Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-farmer/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Shareholder value focus sidelined marketing, seen as risky compared to easier growth tactics during recessionary periods. **In simple terms:** Marketing was deprioritized due to risk and focus on short‑term financial metrics. Key Takeaway Recognize marketing’s strategic value beyond immediate ROI. Themes strategy marketing shareholder value risk management Mood analytical reflective Type strategic business When to use this quote - budget planning - product launches - brand building - crisis response Key Concepts Corporate finance strategic prioritization recession dynamics Questions to Reflect On - How can marketing demonstrate measurable impact in tough economies? - What metrics can align marketing with shareholder expectations? A Different Perspective Marketing can drive long‑term growth if integrated with financial goals. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Gambling Marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gambling-marketing-4007261/) [Marketing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing/) [Marketing Seat](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing-seat-4007260/) [Marketing Uncertain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/marketing-uncertain-4007259/) [Shareholder value](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shareholder-value/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) ## Related quotes > [“Shareholder value became, from the 1990s onwards, a driver of management consulting success and, somewhat sadly, of advertising agency marginalization.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-farmer/shareholder-value-became-from-the-1990s-onwards-a-driver-of/) [Michael Farmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-farmer/) > [“Agencies missed the significance of “shareholder value” and the change in priorities that it represented to their clients. 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