JWT global CEO Gustavo Martinez quits amid racism and sexism lawsuit filed by comms lead
Martinez ‘resigned in the best interest’ of JWT
The global boss of WPP agency J Walter Thompson Gustavo Martinez has quit a week after the agency’s head of communications filed a lawsuit alleging he had made racist and sexist comments.
Overnight WPP put out a statement saying: “By mutual agreement, Martinez has resigned in the best interest of the J. Walter Thompson Company.”
The agency group’s reputation has taken a battering in the last week as details of the lawsuit filed by chief communications officer Erin Johnson filtered out. They include claims Martinez had said to her “come here so I can rape you in the bathroom” and grabbed her by the neck.
IF the allegations are true – if, innocent until proven guilty – let’s get the terms right. Threatening rape and grabbing someone’s neck is not sexism, it is assault.
How do these people get to the top without being sued previously is beyond me!
His alleged behaviour sounds like a prerequisite to being in advertising, he should go far.
What do you mean “how do these people get to the top.” ? These people? Do you mean Hispanics? Or do you mean male managers? Or do you mean people accused of wrongdoing who we should treat as innocent until proved guilty. Lets not generalise and rush to judgement on “these people”