10658: Heineken Not Very Heroic.

Advertising Age reported that Heineken is catching heat for not exiting Russia as promised after the Russia-Ukraine war erupted. Gee, Ant-Man can escape the Quantum Realm but not the former Soviet Union?

15886: Better Red Flags Than Dead…?

 

Anybody else think the character in this clickbait banner for dementia looks like Russian President Vladimir Putin? If identified, the responsible illustrator can expect a free trip to Siberia.

15774: Omnicom Joins The Great Russian Resignation.

 

Omnicom finally announced, albeit via quiet press release, that it is withdrawing from Russia, a move that will affect an undisclosed number of Russian employees—including comrades who have served the White holding company for decades. The statement claimed that Omnicom “has been planning an orderly process to ensure continuity of services for clients and to provide a future for its Russian colleagues.” Is Fathom Communications being offered as a substitute vendor?

 

Omnicom Announces Decision to Discontinue Operations in Russia

 

Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC) today confirmed it is withdrawing from Russia and working with local partners to dispose of all of its investment positions.

 

It has been planning an orderly process to ensure continuity of services for clients and to provide a future for its Russian colleagues, some who have been with Omnicom for decades. It expects to finalize details shortly.

 

As the violence and humanitarian crisis continues in Ukraine, Omnicom’s number one priority remains the safety and well-being of its more than 200 colleagues and their families there. It is in constant contact with its Ukrainian agency leaders and is supporting its people with much needed humanitarian assistance, including transportation, accommodations, visa and working papers, translation services, relocation support, supplies and medical support.

 

Omnicom continues to keep its affected colleagues in its thoughts and hopes for peace.

15759: Dentsu Dumps Russian Drones.

Advertising Age reported that Dentsu is also leaving Russia, a move that will affect 1500 holding company drones. No word from Dentsu International Global CEO Wendy Clark, who is probably too busy pursuing her restless ambition to bring divertsity to the adworld. But surely she can help Ted Royer land a freelance gig somewhere in the Russian Federation.

 

Dentsu Becomes The Latest Holding Company To Pull Out Of Russia

 

The holding company will transfer its ownership stake of its joint venture in the region to a local partner

 

By Brian Bonilla

 

Dentsu is the latest holding company to announce it will be moving its operations out of Russia due to the ongoing invasion in Ukraine.

 

“In Russia, we have a long-term local partner who we have operated with for over 25 years," according to a statement by the company. “We are in the process of transferring ownership of our joint venture in Russia to this local partner, who will operate independently moving forward. More than 90% of the business in Russia services local clients. We have not made this decision lightly as we have 1,500 people in Russia who have supported Dentsu and our clients over many years.”

 

This sale will take affect “as soon as possible,” according to a spokeswoman. “Because 90% of the business is local, the intention [the partner] will continue to operate with those local clients and rebrand the business accordingly. Local owners and agency leaders on the ground in Russia will discuss what those next steps are," said the spokeswoman. The remaining 10% of its advertising in the region consists of clients that “mostly” have pulled out of the market, according to Dentsu.

 

While a Dentsu spokeswoman declined to name the local partner, she said that Dentsu’s sales in the region account for less than 3% of its overall sales.

 

The holding company also addressed its situation in Ukraine. “In Ukraine, we operate via affiliation with a local partner and we care deeply for the welfare of our 500 affiliate employees,” the company said in a statement. “Our Dentsu teams around the world, and particularly in EMEA, have stepped up to provide humanitarian support to those impacted in Ukraine including transporting team members and their families from Ukraine borders to Poland, securing job transfers and secondments to other areas in our network and providing legal and housing support.”

 

This follows a similar announcement from Publicis yesterday, which also transferred ownership of its Russian operations to a local partner, Sergey Koptev, founding chairman of Publicis in Russia. IPG also paused its operations in Russia earlier this week. WPP and Accenture were ahead of the pack, announcing the suspension of their business in the country earlier this month. A week later Stagwell also announced it will pause operations for its 10-person office in Russia.

 

Havas provided a statement yesterday claiming that while it doesn’t operate directly in Russia, it has a local partner in the country. “We have committed to freezing all new investments in the country until a peaceful resolution can be reached,” Havas said in a statement.

 

This leaves Omnicom as the sole holding company to not make statement about moving its business out of Russia. A few Omnicom agencies that have a presence in Russia include TBWA, DDB and OMD, according to their websites.

 

Dentsu will also donate a further 100 million yen or $844,600 to help people affected in Ukraine and the surrounding areas. This is in addition to the $275,000 that was already provided as urgent aid to the Ukrainian Red Cross Society on February 25.

15758: IPG & Publicis Groupe Rushin’ Outta Russia.

Advertising Age reported IPG and Publicis Groupe—like WPP—are also cutting ties with Russian operations, a move that will affect 200 and 1200 employees, respectively, in the country. Both holding companies arranged to financially support Russian ex-workers impacted by the suspensions.

 

Expect IPG to take advantage of matters by readjusting their diversity figures to reflect the reduction of White comrades in Russia. Hey, that’s how enterprises “recognized for leadership in diversity and inclusion” roll. Although IPG’s decision to distance itself from Russian agencies is a tad hypocritical. After all, the holding company allowed Campbell Ewald to remain in the fold after committing acts arguably far worse than the foreign shops, most of whom simply happen to be in the wrong place at a terrible time.

 

Publicis Groupe made its announcement via a video starring CEO Arthur Sadoun. Thankfully, there was no comedic cameo appearance by Maurice Lévy. But Sadoun did manage to activate Marcel in the humanitarian efforts—despite the fact that Russian teammates will soon be deleted from the wondrous AI doodad. How pathetic that the contraption designed to create global connections is now disconnecting sister firms.

 

War is hell. So is working for White holding companies—originally built through a form of corporate colonialism—that are quick to abandon the lands they invaded.

 

IPG Suspends Operations In Russia

 

The move will affect 200 holding company employees in the country

 

By Brian Bonilla

 

Interpublic Group of Cos. has suspended its operations in Russia following the continuing invasion of Ukraine.

 

IPG’s decision follows those of WPP and Accenture, which closed their operations in the country earlier this month. A week later Stagwell also announced it will pause operations for its 10-person office in Russia.

 

In a Linkedin letter, IPG CEO Phillippe Krakowsky wrote to his staff explaining the decision. He admitted in the letter that the company has been “wrestling” with the idea of possibly “abandoning” the 200 colleagues IPG has in the country.

 

“When the invasion began, we immediately applied all international sanctions and informed clients in Russia who are prohibited parties that we would no longer continue working with them,” Krakowsky wrote. “Because we have never owned a media business in Russia, we did not have significant concerns that our media buying was either fueling the local economy or funding media being used by the state.”

 

In the letter, Krakowsky said that the holding company was initially holding off for a potential ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.

 

“Essentially, we hoped that by supporting our colleagues in Russia we could live up to the part of our DNA that values and seeks to protect our people across IPG, yet also live up to the international sanctions against the Russian regime,” Krakowsky said. “Had initial ceasefire talks been productive, we could have perhaps managed to do both. But recent and escalating attacks on civilian targets, including hospitals, make it regrettably clear that the trajectory of the conflict is escalating, and the war could well go on for some time.”

 

Krakowsky confirmed that IPG will leave its Russian teams with enough capital on their balance sheet to pay their employees for a minimum of six months.

 

“We will also be engaging with them in the coming weeks as we cede control of all aspects of management and operations to the local leadership team, in order to ensure continuity for any non-Russian clients who remain active in the market.”

 

Among IPG’s agencies with operations in Russia are McCann, MullenLowe and FCB.

 

Other holding companies

 

Omnicom and Havas weren’t immediately available for comment. Publicis said it has no immediate updates on the matter. In a statement last week, a spokeswoman confirmed that Omnicom had 200 colleagues in Ukraine before the crisis and 2,000 employees in Russia as it was continuing to monitor the situation.

 

Some Publicis entities with offices in Russia include Starcom, Publicis Commerce and Zenith according to their websites. Clients listed for Publicis Commerce in Russia include Procter & Gamble, beauty brand Coty, Heineken and appliance company Electrolux. Last week Heineken stopped its operations in Russia and P&G reduced the scale of its operations in the country.

 

A few Omnicom agencies that have a presence in Russia include TBWA, DDB and OMD, according to their websites. In terms of Ukraine, Krakowsky wrote that the company is supporting its employees in the country as it can and is “working on the logistics” required for refugees to access housing and medical services.

 

“Across IPG, our company has already donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to humanitarian organizations focused on addressing the crisis,” Krakowsky said. “Some of our agencies are providing direct monetary support to our affiliates in Ukraine, as well as assistance with IT and other operational needs. For the month of March, IPG is also matching individual gifts from IPG employees to organizations providing assistance to Ukrainians impacted by the war.”

 

:::::

 

Publicis Suspends Operations In Russia

 

The move will affect 1,200 Publicis employees in the country

 

By Brian Bonilla

 

Publicis is the latest holding company to suspend its operations, engagement and investment in Russia due to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

 

In a video shared with Publicis employees today, CEO Arthur Sadoun confirmed the decision and said the holding company will be handing over control of its Russian operations to Sergey Koptev, founding chairman of Publicis in Russia, with the “clear contractual condition of securing a future” for employees there.

 

“Since the start of the invasion, we have been working on exiting Russia as we strongly condemn the unilateral aggression against Ukraine,” Sadoun said in a statement. “We were committed to taking strong actions that fully respond to the gravity of the situation. But we were determined to take the necessary time to come up with a solution that was truly people-first, because our 1,200 employees in Russia are our people too. We couldn’t just abandon them. By ceding control of our Russian operations to Sergey, we are securing a future path for our colleagues while immediately stopping all of our operations, engagement and investment in Russia.”

 

Publicis declined to comment beyond its press release and video.

 

Some Publicis entities with offices in Russia include Starcom, Publicis Commerce and Zenith, according to their websites. Clients listed for Publicis Commerce in Russia include Procter & Gamble, beauty brand Coty, Heineken and appliance company Electrolux. Last week, Heineken halted its operations in Russia and P&G reduced the scale of its operations in the country.

 

In the video, Sadoun “condemned” the war and addressed what the holding company is doing to support its 350 Ukraine employees, beyond its salary guarantee for the rest of the year.

 

“When it comes to Ukraine, of course, the safety of our teams remains our No. 1 priority as violence on civilians increases and the humanitarian crisis deepens, we are doing everything we can to protect them,” Sadoun said in the video. “We are in daily contact with all the 350 of them [Ukraine employees] on an individual basis. We are bringing them the security, relocation, and financial support they need in this incredibly difficult time. We are helping everyone who has to leave their home, supporting them with visa and paperwork. Thanks to Marcel and volunteers from the group in neighboring countries we are welcoming our people across the border and providing guidance, transport, and accommodations.” The holding company is also matching donations for a Ukraine fundraiser which was set up through Marcel.

 

The news comes a day after IPG also paused its operations in Russia, affecting its 200 employees in the country. WPP and Accenture were ahead of the pack, announcing the suspension of their business in the country earlier this month. A week later Stagwell also announced it will pause operations for its 10-person office in Russia.

 

Omnicom wasn’t immediately available for comment. Havas provided the following comment:

 

“We are all deeply concerned by the situation in Ukraine. The devastating violence has shocked us profoundly and our thoughts are with everyone affected by this conflict. Havas is present in Ukraine—we have 250 people working in three agencies. We are very concerned for their welfare. Our absolute priority since the beginning of the war has been to do everything we can to provide financial and logistical support to our teams there. We have been struck by the great outpouring of solidarity within our Group: our teams in Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary and the Baltics have been assisting those able to cross the border from Ukraine by providing transport, provisions and even welcoming them into their homes. We are following the situation very closely. We don’t operate directly in Russia but have a local partner that serves our global clients. We have committed to freezing all new investments in the country until a peaceful resolution can be reached.”

 

Dentsu also provided a comment on their business in Russia.

 

“The health and safety of our employees continue to be our top priority and we are providing additional support to our people in need,” the company wrote in a statement. “We are reviewing all relationships with Russian companies to ensure we are fully compliant with international sanctions. We will continue to rigorously minimize any impact on our clients’ activities as well as Dentsu operations. In regard to global businesses closing their Russian operations, we operate a joint venture in Russia and we are closely reviewing this situation to better guide our clients and also make informed decisions for our business, our people, and communities as a whole.”

15751: WPPulling A Fast One Out Of Russia.

 

Adweek reported that WPP is pulling out of its Russian operations following the invasion of Ukraine—a move that will affect nearly 1,400 employees in Russia. While the Adweek story didn’t provide any corporate rationale behind the withdrawal decision, an official statement from WPP presented a clear declaration:

 

“WPP stands with Ukraine and the international community in condemning the Russian invasion, which has created a humanitarian crisis in the heart of Europe. The Board of WPP has concluded that WPP’s ongoing presence in Russia would be inconsistent with our values as a company, and we are therefore discontinuing our operations in the country.” The statement goes on to praise and support WPP workers in both Russia and Ukraine.

 

Adweek also reported that McDonald’s is ceasing operations in Russia—but pledging to continue paying its affected employees. WPP does not appear to be offering a similar severance package to its soon-to-be ex-workers.

 

Although the scenario involving Russia and Ukraine is deadly serious and inspires activism and advocacy, what is WPP really communicating with its Russian withdrawal? Have clients like Bayer, Mazda and Nestlé—which are serviced by Russian agencies formerly operated by WPP—taken similar actions? If not, will WPP abandon the accounts for being inconsistent with their values?

 

WPP seems to be joining D&AD in making magnanimous—albeit meaningless—gestures for performative purposes. Russia has not cornered the market on human rights violations. And if DE&I failings indicate systemic racism and human rights issues, WPP is hardly in a position to condemn anyone.

 

Sorry, there is little dignity in decolonization.

 

WPP Will Cease Operations in Russia Following Invasion of Ukraine

 

The network runs agencies such as Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R in the country

 

By Stephen Lepitak

 

WPP, the world’s largest agency network, said it will discontinue working in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine, affecting nearly 1,400 employees.

 

The company, which employs 200 people in Ukraine, has released a statement thanking its Russian staff while informing them of the withdrawal.

 

“We deeply regret the impact of this decision on our Russian colleagues. We will provide support to them and work closely with our clients and partners as we discontinue our activities in the country,” the statement added.

 

WPP agencies such as GroupM, Wunderman Thompson and VMLY&R have offices operating in Russia, which accounted for 0.6% of global net sales last year. Each based in Moscow, WPP’s agencies in Russia worked with clients such as Bayer, Mazda, Nestlé, Froneri and Home Credit Bank.

 

WPP added that the company has been in constant contact with its leadership in Ukraine, aiming to provide financial and practical assistance for them, and said it has partnered with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, to help run an emergency fundraising appeal for those forced to flee their homes to neighboring countries. It will also match donations made by WPP employees, the statement said.

 

In 2014, WPP took a majority stake of 80% in the WVI Group of companies to create a joint venture to allow its GroupM agencies to operate in the country as well as Wunderman Thompson (then JWT), which opened in the country in 1994. It was then followed by Actis Wunderman three years later before the two agency brands merged globally in 2019.

 

The move comes within 24 hours of Accenture announcing that it too would pull out of Russia following the invasion. The company employs 2,300 staff members there, including within its marketing services arm, Accenture Interactive.

 

Writing on LinkedIn on Feb. 29 prior to the announcement, Accenture chair and chief executive Julie Sweet commented: “The images and voices from Ukraine are tragic. Accenture is committed to supporting humanitarian aid to address the crisis and we stand with all in the global community who are calling for peace.”

15750: D&AD Writes Edict In Pencil For Easier Revisions…?

 

Little Black Book reported D&AD announced a full ban on Russian participation in its award contests—rethinking the initial decision to accept submissions from Russia and redirect the entry fees toward donations benefiting Ukraine.

 

Sorry, but this decision feels like bullshit coming from the exclusive ‘educational’ organization. After all, the increasing protests within Russia show that the country’s citizens are not fully supporting the invasion. The Russians vying for design trophies are likely more interested in RGB than KGB.

 

Will D&AD impose similar sanctions on other places with questionable respect for human rights? That would eliminate Egypt, China, Venezuela and more. And if systemic racism is categorized as a human rights issue, well, add the U.S. and U.K. to the detention list.

 

D&AD people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stone pencils.

 

D&AD Announces Ban on Russian Participation in the Awards

 

Show will impose a full ban on Russian entries into both the professional and New Blood awards

 

Following the escalating situation in Ukraine, D&AD has announced that it can no longer proceed with its original plan and are now imposing a full ban on Russian entries into both the professional and New Blood awards. 

 

D&AD has stated: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce D&AD is no longer able to accept participation from Russia in the 2022 D&AD Awards and New Blood Awards.

 

“On Monday 28 February we released a statement that we would continue to allow entries from the Russian creative community in this year’s D&AD Awards and that we would in turn be making a donation of that amount to support the Ukrainian creative community.

 

“As the conflict has continued to escalate at an alarming rate over the past week, we have reconsidered our position and have made the decision to remove all Russian entries from both of our awards shows this year and will not be able to allow participation from Russian companies or individuals.

 

“We intend to keep our lines of communication open with our Russian colleagues who oppose the war on Ukraine. We will refund their entry fees, including to students and tutors of the New Blood Awards, when it is possible to do so.

 

“We remain categorically opposed to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the horrifying violence inflicted on the Ukrainian people.

 

“We will uphold our promise to make a donation to the Art Directors Club of Europe Ukraine if and when they are able to accept it, or alternatively to initiatives supporting displaced Ukrainian creatives.

 

“We are deeply saddened and distressed by the ongoing conflict. For those who can help, we take this opportunity to draw your attention to resources and initiatives that are already in place:

 

https://www.designersunitedforukraine.org/resources

 

https://how-to-help-ukraine-now.super.site/

15744: Is D&AD Angling To Award Itself A White Pencil?

 

Adweek reported D&AD is still accepting award submissions from Russia—but diverting the entry fees collected to make donations to the Art Director’s Club of Ukraine. Gee, how philanthropic. The pseudo-noble gesture seems like a reprimand of sorts to Russian creative people, many of whom probably have no role at all in the country’s military moves against their Ukrainian neighbors.

 

The D&AD donation drivel drive does inspire questions.

 

Did D&AD ever consider diverting entry fees from White U.S. creatives to support Black Lives Matter? Or converting cash sent by White male U.S. creatives into contributions to back the “me too.” Movement?

 

Does D&AD—with its multi-hued pencils—really care about any color besides green?

 

(Oh, and there’s an explanation for the post title here.)

 

D&AD Continues to Accept Russian Entries for 2022 Awards—Donates Fees to Ukraine

 

The creative organization has said cash from Russia will go to the Art Director's Club of Ukraine instead

 

By Rebecca Stewart

 

Creative organization D&AD will continue to accept Russian entries to its 2022 awards scheme but says it will donate fees from the country to the Art Director’s Club of Ukraine, following the invasion of the country by its neighbor.

 

The organization has told Adweek that will not exclude Russian creatives from its annual awards scheme, which highlights world-class work across commercial design, advertising, production and craft. So far, it has received 64 entries from Russia and 14 from Ukraine. All money received by Ukrainian companies for entries into D&AD Awards 2022 will also be refunded.

 

Prices vary across categories to enter the D&AD Awards, starting at $32 to be considered for the purpose-based Impact Award and rising up to as much as $1,512 to enter into craft categories, such as animation and visual effects.

 

“As members of Art Directors Club Europe ourselves, we are donating the money we receive from Russian entries to the Ukraine chapter in order to do what we can, within the constraints of our charitable remit, to support the creative community of Ukraine during this time of crisis,” explains a statement from D&AD.

 

The announcement comes as global governments, businesses and sporting bodies sever ties with Russia amid its military attack on Ukraine.

 

The Art Directors Club of Ukraine is an outpost of the Art Directors Club Europe; a non-profit which represents more than 6500 European creatives across 21 countries.

 

“D&AD stands in solidarity with the people of Ukraine, believing in the sovereignty of the nation, the values of democracy and the right of its citizens to live in peace and safety,” the organization continued.

 

“As a charity serving the creative industries, our remit confines us to supporting the creative community. Therefore, in order to do what we can to support the creative industries in Ukraine, all money received by Ukrainian companies for entries into D&AD Awards 2022 will be refunded back to the entrants. These entries received to date, as well as any further work received from Ukrainian companies, will remain in the competition free of charge.”

 

‘Immediate action’

 

The group acknowledged that redistributing Russian entry fees to support the creative community in Ukraine was not a “comprehensive solution,” but instead an “immediate action” it could take to provide support to its colleagues and community in a country under siege.

 

On top of financial and trade sanctions from Western governments, the past week has seen Russia banned from participating in or hosting international events including the UEFA Champion’s League, the World Cup and the Eurovision song contest.

 

On February 28, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board also issued a resolution urging all international sporting events to prohibit Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing.

 

Brands are also severing ties with the country, including Shell and BP, which said it would exit joint ventures in Russia earlier in the week.

 

Creatives in Ukraine have issued an open brief to the global community calling on marketers to help ‘Prevent WW3’ by encouraging charitable donations, persuading the NATO alliance to close Ukraine’s skies and ‘hack Russian propaganda’.