Leadership in Uncertain Times Coming Together An Interview with Michael I. Roth, Chairman and Chief Executive Offi cer, Interpublic Group EDITORS’ NOTE Under Michael essential workers. What do you say rising and calls to domestic violence helplines Roth’s leadership, IPG has deliv- to these true leaders and heroes skyrocketing. To bring attention to this issue, ered industry-leading shareholder that are risking their lives to pro- we partnered with UN Women to create a returns and organic growth, tect others? very moving campaign created by MRM and posted long-term operating mar- This time is unlike anything any CRAFT. gin improvement, significantly of us have ever lived through and This is in line with work we’ve been upgraded the company’s portfolio what we really have to be thankful for doing for a long time around gender issues and of agency offerings and presence is the amazing bravery of those who women’s rights. We Vice Chair the UNWomen’s in high-growth markets, and estab- are putting themselves on the front Unstereotype Alliance which works to remove lished a record of industry-leading lines every day. The respect and grati- harmful stereotypes from marketing messages. corporate governance, environ- tude we have for these folks is immea- There’s a lot of power in what we do and it’s mental and social good. surable. Since we are a company that our job to ensure that our values play a part in Michael I. Roth does marketing and advertising for a the way we go about our business. This applies, COMPANY BRIEF Headquartered living, we’ve created some really nice of course, to the issue of structural racism that in New York, IPG (interpublic.com) is one of the work around that sentiment that shows appreci- we are seeing emerge so starkly in the wake of world’s largest advertising and marketing com- ation for everyone from delivery folks to health- COVID-19, which we know has had a dispro- panies. From global communications networks care staffers. You can view it on our website at portionate impact on Black and Brown com- like McCann and FCB to domestic advertising www.interpublic.com/our-work. munities. We are supporting organizations like agencies like Hill Holliday, The Martin Agency We must, of course, be mindful of the par- the New York Urban League as they grapple and Deutsch, to global specialists like the data allel pandemic we are facing in terms of sys- with this. and technology company Acxiom, the events temic racism in this country. We are working Following the killing of George Floyd, our marketer Jack Morton, sports marketer Octagon, with employees to address this and have taken Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) team has and public relations experts Weber Shandwick, several initial steps to do so. hosted a number of “Neighborhood Gatherings” IPG agencies span the globe, employing 54,000 IPG is a company that has a long cul- for our Black and Brown employees to ensure a people in more than 100 countries, working with ture and commitment around community safe forum for them. We have also hosted calls clients like L’Oréal, Unilever, General Motors engagement and addressing societal need. for allies of our Black and Brown Employees. and Geico. What do you see as the role that IPG can We have committed to doing more to play in waging this battle? make ourselves accountable when it comes to The world is facing an unprecedented cri- The work our agencies have done DEI. This includes sharing the breakdown of sis that is impacting all countries and their around COVID-19 includes tackling difficult minorities in our executive ranks, which nei- citizens. The pandemic is being fought on issues that have emerged as a result of this ther we, nor anyone in our industry, has done the front lines by healthcare workers, fi rst virus and the lockdowns such as an increase before. We have also committed to expanding responders, those providing supplies and in domestic violence. Some are calling it the our DEI-related compensation goals and our meals, transportation workers and all other “Shadow Pandemic,” which has seen numbers work on pay equity. This time is unlike anything any of us have ever lived through and we really have to be thankful for the amazing bravery of those who are putting themselves on the front lines every day. The respect and gratitude we have for these folks is immeasurable. VOLUME 43, NUMBER 3 POSTED WITH PERMISSION. COPYRIGHT © 2020 LEADERS MAGAZINE, INC. LEADERS 25 There’s a lot of power in what we do and it’s our job to ensure that our values play a part in the way we go about our business. IPG was built with an entrepreneurial There is a great deal of discussion about I absolutely cannot say enough about spirit and an ability to be nimble and adapt. businesses reopening in a “new normal.” our employees. This is an absolutely How is IPG addressing its business during What is your outlook for what this new unprecedented time – with no blueprint this challenging time in order to succeed in normal may look like and how is IPG pre- and no plan. Our employees have not this diffi cult environment? paring for the next stage in this crisis? skipped a beat. I hear from everyone regu- Our people haven’t missed a beat. We First, I think it’s important to distinguish larly – some more so than ever before. Our always had some folks working from home, but between a return to work and a return to the teams, if anything, are working more closely as of a few weeks ago, we had 95 percent of our offi ce. Our employees haven’t stopped work- together, and in many cases, harder and people working from home. During this time, ing – that’s for sure. Returning to the offi ce is a more effectively than ever. As I said, we’ve we are winning business, producing great work, different story. As we’ve told our people, it’s not won business, produced terrific work and conducting remote pitches, and connecting with an easy question when you start to think about strengthened client relationships during this our people and our clients. how and when. A few of our offi ces in certain time. It’s a testament to our talent and their How have IPG’s employees changed locations around the globe have started to re- resilience. the way they work in order to be effective open and, for sure, it’s a new normal, as it will Leading companies in all industries with the changes that have been necessary be when we re-open offi ces on a larger scale. have changed the way they operate and for all businesses to make? We will, of course, have to respect and abide by have been engaged in providing talent, Our employees have stayed connected and all local regulations – and then some. resources and supplies to those on the have turned up their games. They are thinking cre- As was the case when we closed our front lines of this crisis. This has provided atively and working to move our businesses and offi ces, our priority will be the safety and well- an example of the role that business plays those of our clients forward. Often they are doing being of our people. PPE will be required, as as a force for good in society. Will you dis- this while working with their kids on remote learn- will social distancing, which we will accomplish cuss your views on the responsibility that ing, taking care of relatives, cooking dinner and via reduced density using staggered schedules, leading companies have to address soci- managing a houseful of people. It’s remarkable. shifts, etc., and enhanced cleaning protocols. etal need? We’ve found that what we have to remind people Things will look different for sure, but our peo- Addressing societal need – having a com- is to take some time off, unplug and take a break. ple and their creativity haven’t changed – and mitment to purpose – is something I have We are also working hard to ensure that they won’t. There’s little certainty these days, always believed in, and certainly is a most we retain our focus on diversity, equity and but I’m sure of that! important part of IPG’s DNA. IPG’s commit- inclusion during this time. With an overwhelm- You are a business leader who has ment to the communities where its employees ing majority of our employees working from always focused on your people and believed live and work is critical, as is our commitment home, we have to look at how to do this. Our that talent makes great companies. How to diversity, equity and inclusion. We have D&I group has created some excellent tools to proud are you to see how IPG’s workforce been committed to these values for many help managers retain this focus. We now have a has risen during this most diffi cult time and years, but now there is more urgency than microsite called “Inclusive at Work,” that focuses what do you say to your team about their ever before to act on our values. We are com- on just these types of issues. perseverance and resilience? mitted to doing just that.• IPG’s commitment to the communities where its employees live and work is critical, as is our commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion. We have been committed to these values for many years, but now there is more urgency than ever before to act on our values.