You have some good ideas. Write up an ad proposal, and lets expand this debate, so other members can give their ideas.
Talk about the forms of advertising you would support, and talk about the potential abuse we got to stay clear from. Take some time, and write something formal.
Personally, I think the blogging economy has very little value, unless it's backed by advertising or an market.
Investors can only do so much. What other ways can we generate revenue, and how can we attract large corporate sponsors?
I also think Steem Inc, needs to get out of their bubble, and partner with, or take advice from other companies, especially large advertising firms.
If nobody is willing to spearhead progress, than they need to reach out to former google employees, or experts from top notch firms, and have them mentor them.
Maybe ask a collage professor to have his students do a focus study. It's free consulting. They wouldn't have to pay them.
Steemit has alot delegation power. Why aren't they hosting 1000, and 10000 SBD contest, to get the best and brightest business minds, and programmers on board?
Check out Alibaba. This is where social media can meet the marketplace. I have buttered up small factories in China, to get architectural LED lights. I would get stuff that would retail for $1000, and negotiate it down to $80.
Those Chinese love to Sell! and will keep a conversation going for an hour, just to explain how their factory works.
I would get them to do custom modifications for me. They will create custom molds for me. Whatever I want.
Imagine merging social media, with product development. I just thought of an idea right now. Companies could use Steem power delegation, to run focus groups.
Social media meets product development, and users get Steem rewards or high powered upvotes. No more paying $300 an hour consultants. Spend $300 on one weeks delegation, and get the Steem community to provide feedback on upcoming products.