14507: Ralph Breaks The Internet Accusers.

AgencySpy posted the 17-page lawsuit recently filed by former CP+B CCO Ralph Watson against the anonymous Diet Madison Avenue crew. The filing featured a few items worth noting:

1. Watson and his attorney opted against including the names of the alleged DMA crew in order to “protect the privacy of the individual[s] until a suitable protective order is reached by the parties and approved by the Court”—after which point the DMA crew will be served, and their true identities may remain redacted or under seal. Gee, that’s mighty White of Watson. Then again, Watson’s primary goal is to win his lawsuit versus outing anonymous Instagrammers.

2. The filing read, “Evidence that there was no cause for his termination is provided by the fact that a high-level executive at CP+B actively recruited Plaintiff to work with CP+B on various projects after he was wrongfully terminated ‘for cause.’” Huh? Somebody pulled a Wendy Clark and offered freelance opportunities to Watson after his dismissal? How long will the “high-level executive at CP+B” remain anonymous?

3. A CP+B spokesperson stated, “CPB still stands by its decision to terminate Mr. Watson’s employment for cause following an appropriate investigation. MDC Partners and CPB will continue to vigorously defend themselves and their employees against the litigation commenced by Mr. Watson in June 2018. We remain highly confident that we will ultimately prevail in this matter.” Okay, but will CP+B and MDC Partners even prevail as enterprises given the likely acquisition of the White holding company?

AgencySpy later posted that a judge allowed Watson to subpoena Facebook/Instagram and Alphabet/Google to confirm the identities of the anonymous DMA crew directly responsible for the online attacks on Watson. Plus, various DMA crewmembers are apparently lawyering up for the legal battles ahead.

This entire fiasco is getting interesting. Most legal disputes in adland dissolve when deep-pocketed White advertising agencies and White holding companies wear out ex-employees who file lawsuits. Yet things are different here, as Watson presumably has more money to pursue matters versus the DMA crew.

Essay 4726

This essay was inspired by recent items including:

• An Adweek piece by Paul Capelli that wondered if we should start a support fund for out-of-work adpeople.

• Tom Messner’s son asking why copywriters don’t receive residuals for taglines ala members of the WGA or The Screen Actors Guild.

• Rumors about the scheming behind Steve Beigel’s termination at Dentsu.

• The announcement that GSD&M is primed to fire roughly 200 employees.

• Continued instances of discrimination on Madison Avenue, with rising accusations of ageism.

• A cryptic post at wheresmyjetpack.blogspot.com dated November 15, 2007.

This all leads one to question: Will the advertising industry establish an employee union?

It seems inevitable, especially since Baby Boomers—who are wont to initiate legal actions and organize protests—will increasingly become “victims” in the current system.

As the mergers and holding company maneuvers carry on, the ground troops have less and less control over their ability to collect a paycheck. Let’s also consider the fickle nature of clients, where CMO roles average 18 months.

The standard agency drone can expect to lose his/her job for no reason, and with no warning.

The creative department has always been fueled by subjectivity, which means if the new ECD, CD or ACD decides you’re no good, you’re gone. Ditto when a client wants fresh blood.

Agencies have instructed managers to avoid giving stellar reviews in order to make layoffs easier. Heaven forbid a newly-inserted boss should suddenly deem a formerly great employee to be lousy.

It’s common to get axed on Friday, and see your replacement arrive on Monday. Discovering the search for a successor happened while you were clocking 70-hour weeks is quite a treat.

And shame on the shit holes that command managers to clean house, then ultimately eliminate the manager.

Some might argue the industry runs a “free agent” operation. But every professional sports league has a union for its free agents.

Others declare we enjoy a profession offering extraordinary salaries. These old school hacks are likely exploiting the original order, given that the rest of us know pay levels are dropping—and the younger generations will never see the wages of predecessors.

Shrinking incomes are coupled with dwindling severance packages. Severance, of course, is at the discretion of the employer. It’s a gift. And agencies are becoming really cheap gift-givers. If they could award you a McDonald’s gift card in lieu of cash, they would.

Negotiating a better severance package is often futile. Unless you’re in a protected class with air-tight evidence of wrongful termination, you have little recourse. Few have the opportunity to accuse an employer of forcing you to solicit prostitutes in Prague. Even fewer would pursue such a political and risky bargaining tactic.

Generating maximum results with minimum resources is the norm. Agencies stuff cubicles with the most inexpensive bodies possible, yet criticize the quality of the product. It’s no coincidence that Publicis’ latest integrated venture is titled Insight Factory—the laborers are slaving in a virtual sweatshop.

Unfortunately, Madison Avenue has historically been averse to progressive evolution, particularly when the sacred bottom line is affected. But how much longer will workers tolerate the outdated attitudes and practices? The corruption-filled chasm between the powers-that-be and the powerless expands daily.

It’s tough to witness top executives with golden parachutes while you’re getting a golden shower.