I think the key to a designer's success should lie in their skills and knowledge about "Design", as well as some innate creative flair maybe? not of cheap, aggressive and annoying marketing. You are simply fuelling the "anyone with a copy of photoshop can be a designer" attitude that I despise.
I appreciate that you've been doing this since the 70s, but the tactics you suggest don't wash anymore in the modern market.... in the UK at least! I know the "tact" is somewhat different in the US, but with regards to how effective it is over there, i just don't know.