• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, September 26, 2006

Spots, dots and banner ads won't fix what's ailing Detroit, according to Omnicom President-CEO John Wren.

"Advertising can be part of the solution," Wren said. "Advertising is certainly not the solution." Wren--head of Omnicom, which represents DaimlerChrysler, among other leading automakers--said yesterday that upgraded design and greater innovation will lead to a turnaround. But it won't happen overnight. Even a promising idea put in place today will take three to five years to come to market, he said.

Wren also said Detroit has become too reliant on plugging trucks and SUVs with a "macho" image.

The executive spoke yesterday at an event in conjunction with Advertising Week in New York.