well I agree that banners do have their place.
I like to use them as “proof” of whatever my ad selling angle might be; which I note CR has very good banners for this purpose; for instance, if you’re pushing secure banking; saying it on the page is good, but its gold when you’ve got a banner standing nearby that is flashing the same message.
Same goes with no download casinos. I like to throw in a banner or two that also reflect that these are flash casinos.
That sort of thing.
Also, I think that when you use the two together, that you’re probably more likely to get more clicks on the “convenient” text link at bottom of the reading, but they may have been influenced by that pretty flashing banner which is nearby.
and besides all that; all text and no pictures make jack a dull boy. 