So the question is do these people admit they made a mistake? A host was a good hire. Now, not so much.

Like you, Z, I've heard 3 Mt. Dew ads in an 8 minute stop-set years ago. LID, and some song a didn't know at the Top of the Hour.
Always thought you played a POWER or an "A" song. Guess I'm wrong. LOL

Too, as you say, a Ford ad, followed by a Chevy ad....cancelling each other out. The answer: "run more ads."

As a radio geek, I'll look at consultant's stuff.
"We still need a weather jingle."
"Why?"
"I know the jingle guy." and was absolutely serious! (People can look at their phones, or so I've heard, for the weather.)

On TV, the Meteorologist exclaimed "you need us... the apps on the phone are nice but you need us." Back to the news, and "yes, that's right. You need us!" Who are these people kidding? (OK, I'll wait for the 90% wrong weather tonight...)

Noticed MANY psa's and promos where ads used to be. An acquaintance of mine said "you know why they do that? They can't sell advertising!" He could care less about radio and he knows!!!

You do what you think works and yet there are other ways. Newer ways. Different approaches. Even at my advanced age, still learning. And, I've been wrong many times.

I'm sure there are things that they look at or read, that I'd never understand and yet an old boss of mine told me, "it all is politics." To say, we read the tea leaves, but Corporate wants this, and on and on.

Always interesting.....