In an interview with Ad Age following comments regarding his belief some women in advertising are crap because of their inability to commit themselves 100 percent to the job due to childcare issues, WPP Creative Chief Niel French defended himself. Unfortunately, he just dug a bigger hole with his answer to Ad Age’s last interview question:
So you didn’t use the word “crap,” then, in reference to women?
“Oh, of course, I did, yes. But I didn’t say all female creative directors are crap. If you can’t commit yourself to any job then, by definition, you’re crap at it. If you can’t commit 100 percent to your job, don’t pretend you can. Nobody deserves a job unless they can commit to it.”
To most people, the world does not revolve around their jobs alone. That era is gone. There are far more important things in life. French is out of touch with reality. Martin Sorrel should be happy he’s leaving. Of course, now a debate over the definition of “commit” will likely ensue.
