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Publicis Groupe Maurice Levy Marketing

Maurice Levy’s memo to Publicis staffers says he hopes Kevin Roberts learns a lesson

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By Jennifer Faull, Deputy Editor

August 3, 2016 | 3 min read

Maurice Levy, chief executive at Publicis Groupe, has sent an email to staff across the company saying he hopes Saatchi chairman Kevin Roberts will “learn from this unfortunate incident”.

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Levy said they had worked “very closely and amicably together for 16 years” and that Roberts had “also greatly contributed to the Groupe, particularly throughout the early years.”

Roberts was suspended earlier this week after making a number of controversial comments during an interview with Business Insider around the gender diversity debate.

However, he announced his resignation today (3 August) before a final decision on his fate at the holding company could be decided.

“You are all aware of the recent incident resulting from statements made by Kevin Roberts that led me to suspend him from his functions, awaiting the final decision of the Supervisory Board,” read the memo.

“Kevin decided to resign from all of his duties as of September 1, 2016, without waiting for the Supervisory Board to meet.

“I am sincerely sorry that Kevin made the unacceptable comments which led him to prematurely end his collaboration with the Groupe. It makes me that much sadder given that we worked very closely and amicably together for 16 years. Kevin also greatly contributed to the Groupe, particularly throughout the early years when he joined the Groupe. Unfortunately, the gravity of his words cannot be tolerated, and even less so from a member of the Management Board. We can only expect that the highest level of our Groupe set the example on our principles and values through irreproachable speech and actions.

“I wish Kevin the best, and in particular, as he said it himself, to learn from this unfortunate incident.”

Roberts will step down with effect from September 1 2016, prior to his retirement date due in May 2017.

Publicis Groupe Maurice Levy Marketing

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