In a surprise move, holding company Publicis Groupe has abruptly ended the employment of global CMO Justin Billingsley. The news, first reported by Campaign, came with very little explanation from the company. In a terse two-sentence statement, the company said simply, “We have ended Justin’s employment and he is now on garden leave. We won’t be making any further comment.”
While the company has not given any specific reason for the termination, it is believed that Billingsley was dismissed following inappropriate sexual and racial remarks in a client meeting that upset the client. This is a developing story and more details will be forthcoming as they become available.
Billingsley was appointed global CMO in April of 2020, just as the company was beginning to think about its post-pandemic positioning. The role was a new one at the company, but Billingsley was no stranger to Publicis Groupe; he had spent over a decade at the company and its subsidiaries.
This is a developing story and more details will be forthcoming as they become available. In the meantime, this sudden firing should serve as a reminder to all CMOs of the importance of maintaining professionalism at all times when representing their company. One careless remark can undo months or even years of hard work in an instant.
