These are both valid communication models. The Democratic approach works when innovating existing products/ creating hype/ business products like web design *(as long as research supports the Clients target archetype).

The Caretaker approach in branding is a great model when introducing products that will shift the ground of an industry. IE marketing a new networking code, or integrating old school business models into contemporary markets.

The question really then becomes who is the expert? Happy meduim =let each group own their strength as their’s