Saatchi Chairman Quits After Sexist Remarks

(RTTNews) - French advertising and communications company Publicis Groupe SA (PUBGY.PK, PGPEF.PK) said that Kevin Roberts, the executive chairman of its ad agency Saatch & Saatchi, has resigned.

In a statement, Publicis Groupe said its supervisory board as well as Chairman and CEO Maurice Lévy have taken note of Kevin Robert's decision to step down with effect from September 1, 2016, prior to his retirement date due in May 2017.

Roberts, who is also head coach at parent group Publicis, was earlier placed on leave following the controversial comments he made about gender diversity in the advertising industry.

In an interview with Business Insider published last Friday, Roberts said the debate about gender equality is "over" and he does not spend "any time" on the issue at his company.

Roberts also said the gender issue is way worse in industries such as financial services and that women employees lacked "vertical ambition." His remarks were condemned at that time by Publicis CEO Lévy.

"Promoting gender equality starts at the top and the Groupe will not tolerate anyone speaking for our organization who does not value the importance of inclusion. Publicis Groupe works very hard to champion diversity and will continue to insist that each agency's leadership be champions of both diversity and inclusion," Lévy said.