Following a backlash to comments calling the J Walter Thompson scandal “one man's mistake”, Publicis Groupe CEO Maurice Levy has opted to clarify his position, hitting out at rival network WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell in the process.
At the 4A's Transformation 2016 conference in Miami, Levy, responding to a question on Gustavo Martinez, the former CEO of JWT who left following allegations of sexist and racist comments, said Martinez's actions were “one man's mistake” and not reflections of the broader industry.
Following the comments, Sorrell hit back noting he disagreed “violently” with the view.
Given the criticism from Sorrell and media, Levy has responded with a statement clarifying his view, noting that he is “not wide-eyed” and is well aware of the problems in advertising.
He also responded to Sorrell saying he showed an “extraordinary level of hypocrisy”.
“I mean, really? This situation began in his company, in one of his largest agencies, with a CEO, therefore someone who is meant to lead by example,” Levy says.
“It's situation that has been going on for over a year and his response as CEO of the largest advertising company globally was nothing but a dilatory tactic, attacking ad hominem one of his colleagues during a flagship industry event, while my name was neither mentioned nor implied in the question.”
In regard to his own comments calling Martinez's actions “one man's mistake” Levy says that he “maintains his position”.
It is alleged that Martinez grabbed JWT's chief communications officer Erin Johnson – who filed the lawsuit – by the throat and had publicly asked questions about which female staff member he should rape. It is also alleged that he made comments that were racist in nature.
“Martinez's comments, if true are jaw dropping. To such an extent, that in my opinion, they can only represent the unforgivable fault of one man, as opposed to an industry-wide evil,” Levy says.
“On this point, I maintain my position and I dare hope that I am right,” Levy says.
“I can't for one second imagine that it is common in our industry (or in any other) to make jokes at every turn about women, blacks and Jews, and to speak of a subject as sensitive as rape.
“Should a case of this nature be brought to our attention in our own Groupe, we would react strongly and without delay.”
Levy's comment brought strong criticism from media and the industry including gender equality activist and founder of Publicis’ BBH Cindy Gallop who said Levy’s comments are “why the white men at the top should never presume to speak for women/POC (people of colour) in any industry”.
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