"WPP settles suit alleging misconduct by ex-exec", 5 April 2018

WPP PLC has settled a lawsuit brought by an employee that alleged racist and sexist behavior by a top executive at one of the advertising giant's premier agencies, ending a legal dispute that helped raise awareness about inappropriate behavior on Madison Avenue.  Erin Johnson, chief communications officer of the WPP-owned agency J. Walter Thompson, is receiving a substantial settlement, a person familiar with the matter told The Wall Street Journal...In her 2016 lawsuit, Ms. Johnson alleged that JWT's then-chief executive, Gustavo Martinez, engaged in a pattern of misconduct that amounted to gender discrimination and a violation of her civil rights.  In a statement, JWT confirmed it had reached the settlement and declined to disclose the terms.  The company said Ms. Johnson has resigned from her role at the agency.  Shortly after Ms. Johnson filed the lawsuit, Mr. Martinez left his post as CEO of JWT.  A WPP spokesman said Mr. Martinez is currently working on assignments in Spain for WPP.  Ms. Johnson's lawsuit, filed in federal court in New York, named as defendants Mr. Martinez, JWT and WPP.  It alleged she was subjected to a hostile work environment, and that Mr. Martinez engaged in an "unending stream of racist and sexist comments as well as unwanted touching and other unlawful conduct."...