Dive Brief:
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When it comes to workplace gender and diversity issues, top executives should serve as role models when it comes to both words and actions. But a high-ranking executive has cut his career short by essentially saying that gender diversity had been solved in the advertising industry.
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After Kevin Roberts, an executive with Saatchi & Saatchi, the large advertising company, was quoted as saying he doesn't spend "any time" on gender issues and the "f---ing debate is all over" when it comes to gender diversity in his industry, he had to take an early retirement.
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The Washington Post article outlined the Roberts situation, which came on the heels of an interview with Business Insider published last week. Roberts' comments not only cost him his job (he retired a few months earlier than planned), but it also drew some unfriendly fire on social media and "within an industry that's facing recent scandals about sexist behavior," the Post reports.
Dive Insight:
Roberts, Saatchi & Saatchi's chairman and "head coach" at the agency's parent company, Publicis Groupe, resigned and in an emailed statement said "I have inadvertently embarrassed Saatchi & Saatchi and [parent company] Publicis Groupe" and that "I have expressed my regret and apology to the companies for the furor my remarks and language stimulated, and I extend this to colleagues, staff and clients."
In the Business Insider article, among other controversial things, Roberts said advertising fares better than other industries when it comes to diversity, citing financial services. He also made some generalized comments about women and career choices that caused some intense blow back on social media.
While there are some who measure how industries rank when it comes to diversity (it's common knowledge that tech is struggling to meet its diversity goals), Roberts' comments perhaps demonstrate how far U.S. businesses have yet to go when it comes to leveling the playing field and becoming more inclusive for women and minorities.