MarketingVOX: A trial in London pits WPP boss Martin Sorrell against two ad executives he claims authored an anonymous – and libelous – blog disparaging him and his agency, reports the New York Times.
The blog referred to Sorrell as an imposing mafia-boss type and included remarks and photos of him with a woman who worked at a WPP firm and who also had a relationship with Sorrell. The two alleged blog authors are former employees, fired from an Italian firm owned by WPP, who also allegedly circulated via email a racy image of Sorrell and the woman.
Forensic computer specialists have testified that electronic fingerprints point to the two fired execs as being behind the blog, a charge they deny.
The blog not only touches on Sorrell’s private life but also his management style. His hands-on approach to agency operations has apparently left some feeling disgruntled and frustrated – along with making WPP the powerhouse that it is.
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- WPP CEO: We’re ‘Out of the Bath’
