Legendary advertising agency J. Walter Thompson and its parent company WPP has failed in their attempt to silence a female communications officer who has accused JWT’s former chief of sexist and racist behavior, as discussed in this Wall Street Journal article: “Judge Denies WPP’s Motion to Dismiss Discrimination Lawsuit.”
Their motion to dismiss the discrimination lawsuit was denied by the court. By challenging the lawsuit WPP signals the attitudes that prevail in the old boy's club. Given that this advertising giant also helps organizations build brand and reputation values, and influences customer behaviors, they, rather than condoning abusive behaviors, should set an example of going above and beyond their duty to right what has gone wrong.
Photo: Former JWT chief executive Gustavo Martinez in the Wall Street Journal; credit, D. Dipasupil/Getty Images