Maurice, we don’t think this is minor
In this guest column, Bec Brideson weighs in on the fight between Maurice Levy and Sir Martin Sorrell on the issue of sexism in adland.
The past few years have seen surprising facts come to light about some once-revered people. There was Rolf Harris guilty of abusing his celebrity, there’s ‘America’s Dad’ Bill Cosby getting found out for serial crimes against women, and of course George Pell, condemned for his silence and failure to act in the interest of the vulnerable.
The bottom line is that times are changing, and tolerance for unacceptable behaviour is low. Privilege and power no longer shield old-boy networks from scrutiny or consequences.
Bravo, Bec! Having been alongside you in some of the trenches in the 90s (and witnessed a lot of shoddy behaviour), I’ve watched you build your business with pride and joy.
Rosie Batty has changed the conversation on violence against women in this country. I’m hoping the trickle down effect (and people like you) makes these conversations easier to have in our business and that being told to “…keep quiet and suck it up” becomes an antiquated concept that we will look back on with disbelief.
You go, girl.
Nicely put – until this behavior is ‘put on notice’ at an industry level, and HR departments actually start the process of collecting incidences with a view to change behavior not just police, this industry will always be tarred with a hint of male thuggery.
If we have to put our faith in HR……
…time to go. HR is, was and ever will be the friends of management. If HR actually did what it said on the tin, we wouldn’t need unions.
@Hugo spot on. In many organisations the top dog will bring in a ‘friend’ (puppet, sheep) to manage HR. Tis tough, however playing politics will often result in cultures that the ‘leader’ likes.
The comments by Maurice Levy coming to the defence of Gustavo Martinez, were insensitive and out of touch. He shouldn’t have been trying to defend him.
However, your article is an awful example of sensationalist journalism. You lead the article by reeling off some of the most heinous sex offenders of recent time (one proven, one under investigation). And then lead into talking about Levy’s defence of Martinez’s comments.
In doing so, you’re insinuating that these people and their acts are somehow related, when in fact they are polls apart. It is lazy journalism.
Fantastic article, thanks for your bravery in addressing this subject.
Agree Jen,
fantastic article, thanks for your bravery Bec in addressing this subject.