Labor & Employment » Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Leads Advertising To Reflect

Sexual Harassment Lawsuit Leads Advertising To Reflect

March 24, 2016

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An advertising conference in Miami became a forum to discuss persistent gender and racial disparities in the industry. The conference was held in the wake of a lawsuit filed by Erin Johnson, Chief Communications Officer at J. Walter Thompson. Johnson said the firm’s chief executive, Gustavo Martinez, subjected staff “to an unending stream of racist and sexist comments as well as unwanted touching and other unlawful conduct,” including grabbing Johnson by the throat and the back of her neck. Martinez resigned, and advertisers grappled with how widespread and pervasive such behavior truly is in an industry still dominated by white men. “We need to do more to promote gender equality, so the agency environment is safe, fair and something we can all be proud of,” Nancy Hill, president and CEO of ad industry trade group 4As, said at the conference. “Unfortunately, the alleged behavior does happen. And it happens more frequently than we think.”

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