Does a mix of disciplines produce better results?

For what it’s worth, I’d like to add two points to the debate featured in your news item: Is design really under threat from the ad agency? (DW 13 July).

First, I’d like to point out that Dave is no more part of WCRS than Wolff Olins is part of TBWA. Both Dave and WCRS are part of The Engine Group, a marketing and communications group with nine individual businesses working across disciplines, from branding to direct marketing and lobbying.

Second, the debate about threats from disciplines misses the real point: the future of marketing and communications is about harnessing the blurring between skills, whichever sector they come from.

If M&C Saatchi can recruit Peter Saville, then the likes of Dave should be recruiting ad creatives and management consultants for the same reason – to ensure that what we do is creative, robust and relevant.

The world has changed, but it seems a shame that the old isolationist debate in the design community (according to your article) has not.

Dan Bobby, Managing director, Dave