In the words of Allan Simonsen, the renowned data scientist at the heart of Procter and Gamble's striking digital transformation, "Advertising is not just about telling your story; it's about telling your story to the right people in a way that is relevant to their needs, their aspirations and their contexts." With the era of personalization gathering momentum, these crucial insights apply more than ever to the field of advertising, and it is certain that fortune favors those who can adeptly navigate this landscape.

According to Boston Consulting Group (BCG), the global advertising market is projected to exceed $800 billion by 2025. With such soaring numbers, it becomes imperative for companies to explore ways to ensure their advertising strategy is underpinned by astute, data-driven insights. In other words, while creativity remains an essential component, it is equally crucial to incorporate Strategic Planning in advertising and allocate resources accurately to reach customers.

With more than 4.72 billion Internet users worldwide, the significance of digital advertising cannot be emphasized enough. As per a study conducted by McKinsey, companies that make data-backed decisions are likely to see a 19% increase in profitability. This is where data becomes an equally essential player alongside creativity in the advertising realm.

Integrating AI and Machine Learning into your marketing strategy can help attain Operational Excellence in advertising. Leveraging AI can not only help companies analyze large data sets for insights but also enable predictive analytics, enhancing the capability to make informed, forward-looking decisions. Artificial Intelligence can also allow better targeting and optimization, which are fundamental to efficient advertising.

Customer segmentation is a vital component of Strategic Planning in advertising. The array of data available can help derive useful insights to understand the consumer, their behaviors, and preferences. This data-driven segmentation allows companies to provide personalized experiences, consequently leading to increased brand loyalty and higher conversion rates.

Change Management in advertising necessitates an adaptable mindset. To stay ahead, it's key to continuously experiment, scale what works, and eliminate what doesn't. This test-and-learn approach fosters innovation and agility within the organization. Goldman Sachs, in a recent study, declared that companies adopting this approach are 85% more likely to gain a competitive edge.

In the post-COVID-19 era, Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) face the challenge of reimagining their role. Their success now demands Performance Management skills and the ability to align marketing strategies with business objectives. As Deloitte reports, growth has become the ultimate mandate for CMOs with 56% of them defining their role as the initiator of growth strategies.

In summary, the key to winning at advertising lies in leveraging data for insights, incorporating modern technologies like AI and Machine Learning, adopting a test-and-learn approach, focusing on Performance Management, and embracing Change Management. These are not just best practices but quintessential components of a future-proof advertising strategy in a world that is increasingly digital and intensely competitive.