Indice dei contenuti per April 9, 2018 in Adweek

The board of WPP is currently investigating claims of “personal misconduct” made against CEO Martin Sorrell, a company spokesperson confirmed in a statement. Project Associates—a London-based consultancy that “acts for Sir Martin Sorrell in his personal capacity”—later issued a statement on his behalf. “I reject the allegation unreservedly but recognize that the Company has to investigate it,” the statement read. “I understand that this process will be completed shortly.” Investors are likely starting to consider who should really be at the helm of the world’s largest advertising holding company, which includes Grey Group, Young & Rubicam and GroupM. “It’s a little difficult because we don’t know what the specific allegations are,” Pivotal Research Group senior analyst Brian Wieser said. “What I think investors will focus on is some broader implications…

For several months, Scripps Networks Interactive ad sales chief Jon Steinlauf was preparing for his annual upfront tour, while being unsure of exactly when Discovery Communications would officially acquire his company. “So we built our ‘business as usual’ presentation,” he recalled, “but we knew that somewhere along the line, the deal could close, and we could become Discovery overnight.” That finally happened on March 6, leaving Steinlauf—who was named chief U.S. advertising sales officer of the combined company—with just two weeks to pull together the first of seven upfront events around the country for what is now known as Discovery Inc. Now, as buyers assemble on Tuesday for the biggest of those presentations in New York’s Alice Tully Hall, they have some pressing queries of their own; namely, exactly how…

It could be a line from a Hollywood screenplay: “Come here, so I can rape you in the bathroom.” But it comes from the lawsuit Erin Johnson vs. Gustavo Martinez, J. Walter Thompson and WPP. Johnson, the now-former global head of communications at JWT, alleged that Martinez, who was then its CEO, repeatedly harassed and undermined her and other staff members. He initially denied the charges but soon resigned—and weeks after Johnson’s claims went public in early 2016, a video emerged in which he could be heard joking about being “raped … and not in the nice way.” The accusations rocked the agency founded in 1864 and raised broader questions about sexism on Madison Avenue. Yet, while the case made global headlines and dominated cocktail conversations at Cannes, it did…

Independent agency The Social Element may be based in London, but the world—and the internet—is its office. Founder and CEO Tamara Littleton worked on online communities with the BBC before starting the company in her London garage 16 years ago with a £10,000 loan from her parents. “We used to talk to each other on Internet Relay Chat,” said Littleton of the early days. “We were complete geeks.” CMO and 10-year veteran Ashley Cooksley, who came from AOL, added that “we were able to move into the social world because people didn’t really understand how to connect” back then. That’s what made The Social Element stand out from the rest: “Connection is at the center of everything we do,” Littleton said. Now, its 250-plus staff is spread across the globe…

Longtime executive leader and former CEO Irwin Gotlieb is stepping down as global chairman at WPP media agency GroupM. Gotlieb, who is transitioning to a senior advisory role at WPP, served as GroupM’s CEO from its 2003 founding until 2012, when he became global chairman. “Irwin is a one-of-a-kind visionary, and his mark on our company and the entire media business is indelible,” said Kelly Clark, who has served as global CEO for GroupM since 2016. “We’re glad that he will still be available to us and our clients in his new role.”…

WHO WILL A+E NETWORKS TAP TO REPLACE CEO NANCY DUBUC? WILL CBS AND VIACOM, WHICH DECIDED ONCE AGAIN TO EXPLORE A MERGER IN FEBRUARY, FINALLY MAKE IT TO THE ALTAR? JON STEINLAUF, CHIEF U.S. ADVERTISING SALES OFFICER, DISCOVERY, INC. HOW WILL DISCOVERY AND SCRIPPS INTEGRATE THEIR NETWORKS, AND THEIR AD SALES TEAMS? AT WHAT POINT WILL DISNEY ABSORB MOST OF 21ST CENTURY FOX? WILL COMCAST TRY TO THROW A WRENCH INTO THAT DEAL WITH A FOX BID OF ITS OWN? DONNA SPECIALE, PRESIDENT, TURNER AD SALES WHEN WILL TURNER’S PARENT COMPANY TIME WARNER FINALLY CLOSE ITS DEAL WITH AT&T?…

Last month, ad-tech company Drawbridge shut down its media-buying office in Europe after it was revealed that the firm’s data practices that comb together mobile, desktop and tablet stats for ad targeting would not work under the European Union’s General Data Protection Regulation (or GDPR) that go into place May 25. According to experts, Drawbridge, which did not respond to inquiries for this story, won’t be the only mobile company to suffer from GDPR. The new regulations promise to significantly shake up digital advertising by giving consumers the right to decide what data they fork over to a company. Violators of GDPR face significant fees of 20 million Euros, or 4 percent of its revenue, depending on which is more. Unlike desktop advertising that’s primarily built with one type of…

THE CROP The distinguishing feature of the Wellington is its dramatic height to the top of the calf—useful for sloshing in puddles, but also a fashion statement. THE MATERIAL Though many of today’s brands make their boots with polyvinyl chloride, a synthetic plastic, Hunter still uses vulcanized matte rubber. THE COLOR Hunter introduced colors in the postwar years. It now offers its rain boots in 16 hues, including ocean blue, bright pink, hunter green and this yellow. When foreign heads of state visit the White House, they tend to bring the sort of dull, diplomatic gifts destined for museum storage rooms, like tea sets and oil paintings. But a notable exception took place in July 2010, when David Cameron called on the Obamas with something the first family could really…

For the first time in two decades, the PGA Tour will be rolling out a comprehensive new advertising campaign. Developed in conjunction with L.A. shop Troika, the creative will make its public debut tomorrow, April 10, on TV as well as social media platforms. Titled “Live Under Par”—which will take the place of the tour’s former tagline, “These guys are good”—the campaign will attempt to show the public that the PGA Tour isn’t just about a handful of famous players, but the experiences of their fans behind the ropes. Indeed, videos shot by ordinary attendees will be among the assets used. While the campaign aims to reinvigorate golf’s existing fan base, its added goal is to help build a younger and more diverse audience. For the full story, head over…

Casual restaurants are at a critical breaking point. Consumers—hello, millennials and Gen Z—are increasingly fleeing legacy chains, from Applebee’s to Olive Garden, in favor of trendier, tech-savvy, more health-conscious options. Applebee’s announced plans to close between 60 and 80 eateries in 2018, citing a millennial-driven decline in foot traffic as a major factor. Sister brand IHOP announced plans to shutter 30 to 40 locations this year, too. As a result, chains from TGI Fridays to Buffalo Wild Wings are moving away from their old, stale images and adopting an atmosphere that’s more fitting to younger consumers—craft cocktails, an Instagrammable atmosphere with picturesque menu items and broader to-go and mobile ordering services. “Standing still is the detriment to casual restaurant chains who don’t evolve with their consumers,” explained Sara Bamossy, president…

Curriculum Vitae Director of creative development, Omelet 2015-present Freelance creator, Omelet 2012-2015 Writer and director, Watching the Detectives 2007 Writer and actor, Super Troopers 2000 Writer, Broken Lizard comedy group 1990-present Pro Tip To aspiring creatives, directors, writers, Soter advised: “Have confidence not just in your creativity, but give confidence to your partners. It raises the level of creativity all around.” How He Got the Gig Soter got his start in entertainment while attending Colgate University. He said he and friends started seeing young screenwriters with little resources getting their films picked up by Hollywood so they thought, “Why can’t we do that?” Voila: Broken Lizard, then called Charred Goosebeak, was born. 90-Day Plan Soter said he enjoys the balancing act he’s created for himself between entertainment and advertising. “It’s…