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Cindy Gallop Publicis Groupe

Cindy Gallop hits out at male dominant Publicis Groupe restructure

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By Stephen Lepitak, -

December 7, 2015 | 3 min read

Advertising consultant and former BBH New York boss Cindy Gallop has criticised Publicis Groupe for the lack of women involved at the top level of its new structure with the introduction of chief client officers running the four sectors of the business.

Speaking to The Drum ahead of her fourth Glass Ladder webinar series, a diversity initiative she is running with the 4As, Gallop said: "I find it astounding in this day and age – when it is so critical for the ad industry to reinvent itself for a more secure and lucrative future – that with the exception of Laura Desmond, the entire Publicis Groupe restructure revolves around men, and that not a single one of the four hubs is led by a woman."

Her comments build on those she made at the 3 Percent Conference last year where she argued that women are determined to change the lack of opportunities afforded to them within the advertising industry.

Issuing her concluding thoughts to Publicis Groupe chief executive Maurice Lévy, she asked: "You want Publicis Groupe 'to be the admired force for business transformation driven through the alchemy of creativity and technology'? The single most immediately transformative thing you could do would be to identify the most future-forward and innovative-thinking women within your various companies with the potential to lead those hubs.

"Make them the leaders and welcome in completely fresh thinking, perspectives, insights and world views on how they would transform your business with female-informed alchemy of creativity and technology, to make Publicis Groupe uniquely competitive within an industry that is built on brands, products and services that women buy, but which is not women-led and women-driven."

Her criticism follows the introduction of the all-male management restructure made by Publicis-owned creative agency Leo Burnett Sydney in August. Gallop has been extremely vocal about the changes the about through social media, which have also drawn headlines.

She told The Drum at the time that despite her outspoken views directed to the agency, she was yet to receive any response.

Gallop's next Glass Ladder webinar will take place today and see her speak with Susan Credle, incoming chief creative officer for FCB Global on 'How To Become Executive Creative Director When Nobody Thinks You Can'.

Cindy Gallop Publicis Groupe

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