The Martin Agency in Richmond has unveiled “a new, more inclusive executive committee with twice as many female representatives as before. Four out of the nine members on the committee are women, and the agency also boasts a 50/50 male-to-female officer ratio,” reports Adweek.
According to the agency’s website, The Martin Agency – with offices in NYC and London, in addition to its Richmond headquarters – has more than 500 employees.
Adweek added that an agency spokesperson “also confirmed that president and 35-year veteran Beth Rilee-Kelley has left the agency but declined to elaborate.
““Gender discrimination isn’t an HR issue. It’s a cultural issue,” said CEO Kristen Cavallo in a statement. “And the fastest way to change a culture is to level the playing field in leadership.”
“Cavallo became the agency’s first female CEO in December, just two weeks after longtime CCO Joe Alexander departed amid reports of sexual harassment allegations made against him.
“At the time, Cavallo said, “obviously, there is a need for a new direction,” and promised to increase diversity and improve culture at the creative shop best known for its Geico ads.
““I’m proud of this news,” Cavallo noted today, “but we’re not done. Not by a long shot. We’re not diverse enough. We see it. We’re on it.”
“Chief among the promotions announced today is the elevation of Carmina Drummond, previously senior vice president and managing director of Agency Operations. Drummond will now assume the new role of chief culture officer, responsible for leading diversity and inclusion, learning and development and employee satisfaction initiatives.
“Drummond joins the executive committee as its fourth female leader alongside Cavallo, CCO Karen Costello (who replaced Alexander in January) and CFO Janet White. The other five executives sitting on the nine-member committee are men.”
More here.
(Photo of The Martin Agency Executive Committee appearing in Adweek.)
Interesting…where are the people of color?