Editor's note: This is the first installment in a multi-part series identifying five key trends that advertising creatives, agency executives and brand marketers need to know, as presented in a new report from Catch&Release;.  The report, titled The Incredible Journey Back to Authentic Storytelling, is available in its entirety via downloadable .pdf (see below).

Editor's note:  MediaVillage is honored to expand the regular commentaries by former CIA officer and head of public information Kent Harrington to a weekly column focused on the voice, role and responsibilities of media In the National Interest.  Marshall McLuhan's understanding that "The Medium is the Message" has never been more relevant, and Kent's perspectives bring that understanding to our readers.

Broadcast television has a long history of filling network schedules with by-the-book police procedurals, conspiracy thrillers and cookie-cutter sitcoms.  It’s no wonder that viewers are flocking to streamers in search of series that are truly different and unique, telling stories that makes them think and feel something.  Fortunately, the broadcast networks are pushing back with shows that aren’t quite like any other.  The current best example is the Fox thriller The Passage.

Recent press reports have suggested that the $130 billion-plus media industry can simply pivot from Nielsen's currency grade measurement with ease and take comfort in using alternative data sets to operate business as usual.  These suggestions are misguided and, at the worst, could be harmful to the stability of the industry and, at the very least, could if taken seriously diminish some important opportunities.

My personal work in masculinity studies makes the new Gillette  "We Believe" campaign personally very gratifying, as I hope it is for everyone.  Marc Pritchard, Chief Brand Officer of P&G; and inductee into the Advancing Diversity Hall of Honors at CES last week, credits "the amazing team from Gillette, led by Brand Director Pankaj Bhalla, who have stepped up to take on one of the most important issues of our time -- toxic masculinity."  "["We Believe"] defies the convention that 'boys will be boys,' which is just an excuse for bad behavior," Pritchard says.  "It demonstrates that it's not ok to just stand by … men need to step up to stop harassment, bullying, stereotyping, diminishing and objectification.  Becoming 'the best a man can be' means being part of the solution by moving from inaction to being a role model for positive action for themselves, their loved ones, their peers and for the next generation of men -- and this campaign brings that to life in a powerful way.  I'm so proud of this campaign and of the Gillette team, their partners at Grey and film director Kim Gehrig for redefining what it means to be 'The Best a Man Can Get.'"

America is a very dangerous place.  That’s why I am happy to report that John Walsh, the justice advocate who turned his family’s personal tragedy into a national crime solving movement, is back on television.  This week we attended the premiere screening of his new program In Pursuit with John Walsh, which premiered on Investigation Discovery on January 16.