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Ad heavyweights' verbal war on discrimination gets ugly
NEWSWATCH: Harsh accusations of industry sexism and hypocrisy are keeping the global ad industry on their toes, with voyeurism and mudslinging at an all-time high.
© Allan Swart – 123RF.com
Inequality and lack of diversity have long been hot-button topics when it comes to advertising, particularly when big names are involved. Now, AdWeek reports that the war of words between stalwarts Maurice Lévy and Martin Sorrell of Publicis Groupe and WPP respectively, is escalating.
It’s the result of a rather violent disagreement over Lévy’s statement at last week’s 4A's Transformation conference in Miami that sexism is “not widespread in the modern ad industry”, despite numerous reports of that ever-present glass ceiling for females.
He was specifically referring to the ‘resignation by mutual agreement’ of J. Walter Thompson CEO Gustavo Martinez after alleged rape slurs and racist comments came to light, as described on AdAge.
The Drum reports that Sorrell responded we're "No longer in the advertising business anymore", sparking cries of hypocrisy due to his eyewatering salary - another form of industry inequality.
WPP, (yes, the holding company of J. Walter Thompson), has since responded at length to Lévy's memo, Click here to read it in full on AdWeek. The world watches and waits…
