Interpublic Group is facing a $50 million discrimination suit from a Trinidadian employee who says she faced a hostile work environment at IPG, and had promotions denied because of race and in retaliation for speaking out against discrimination, reports AdAge.
Joy C. Noel, who joined the agency in 1993, filed suit in Manhattan last week, the same week that New York City officials asked ad holding companies to release diversity statistics. The suit states that since 1994, IPG's work environment has condoned racial discrimination. Among those named is Interpublic Chief Executive Officer Michael Roth.
"We are saddened and disturbed by the allegations set forth in Ms. Noel's claim and are certain there is no basis for any of the charges she alleges," Interpublic said in an emailed statement. "We will vigorously defend against this complaint."
Ad holding companies have been in the spotlight for some years on diversity issues. In 2006, the New York City Commission on Human Rights asked agencies to push harder in hiring minority employees.
Omnicom Group has come under fire for declining to disclose diversity data, after being asked to by New York City Comptroller John Liu. Omnicom's chief diversity officer told AdAge that she does not think it is in the company's best interests to comply with Liu's mandate.
Sales Buzz
Best Buy CEO Search (Chain Store Age)
Best Buy's Kathy J. Higgins Victor, who currently serves as chairwoman of the nominating, corporate governance and public policy committees will chair the retailer's chief executive officer search committee. The board plans to name a search firm in a few weeks.
Lowe's New C-Suite (Retailing Today)
Lowes has created two new positions: chief customer officer and chief operating officer, to be filled by current executive vice president of business development, Gregory Bridgeford, and EVP of store operations, Rick Damron.
GlaxoSmithKline to Sell Alli (The Wall Street Journal)
GlaxoSmithKline said it still intends to divest the business of its diet pill Alli, once it solves manufacturing problems. The U.K .drug maker has sold the bulk of the over-the-counter medicines it started divesting last year, reports The Wall Street Journal.
Marketing Buzz
The Art of Shopping (The Independent)
A new book entitled "The Art of Shopping" shows that food marketers may be doing things all wrong. Author Simeon Scamell-Katz says shoppers don't notice price as much as marketers think, that they reach for goods placed below eye level and will buy less if disrupted.
Marketing Job Growth (CBS Miami)
The National Association of College and Employers says that marketing jobs will grow by as much as 29% over the next decade, with "solid gains in Management, Computers, Financial Analysis and Cost Estimators."
No More Nice Guys (Sales & Marketing Management)
Nice guys don't necessarily make good sales prospects, and you should avoid spending time on someone who lacks the authority to buy or belongs to a company that can't afford your product. Other common pitfalls: refusing to let go, making reflexive decisions and overestimating one's abilities.
Buzz Around the Office
Sadly, he might lose it.
List of the Day: Attitude Check
Even if you are the best at your job, your attitude can go a long way.
1. Avoid showing signs of desperation
2. Try to stay confident and conversational, but not cocky
3. Don't forget to keep smiling
(Source: Glassdoor.com)
