'Women are crap', says ad guru
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A man who has allowed himself to be described as "the best advertising copywriter that ever lived" has offered to resign over a speech in which he described female colleagues as "crap".
Neil French, a 61-year-old "roving creative consultant" for the global advertising and marketing company WPP, was asked why women were under-represented among the ranks of senior creative directors at advertising agencies. Known for opinions delivered with a degree of brutality, Mr French responded: "They're crap."
He made the comment in a recent speech in Toronto and the gossipy world of advertising believes he is now on his way out. An advertising executive said: "It was immediately unclear whether he had been forced to resign or left on his own."
The assertion from a man who says he is ever-conscious of his own "brand" did not go without response from female colleagues. Nancy Vonk, co-chief creative officer at the WPP subsidiary Ogilvy in Toronto, said that while she felt "honoured" he counted her among his friends, her esteem had its limits.
WPP are studying a transcript of his speech before deciding whether to accept Mr French's resignation.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments