B&TB&TB&T
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Search
Trending topics:
  • Cairns Crocodiles
  • Nine
  • Seven
  • Federal Election
  • Pinterest
  • AFL
  • Anthony Albanese
  • WPP
  • AI
  • NRL
  • Thinkerbell
  • EssenceMediaCom
  • State of Origin
  • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • imaa
  • Channel 10
  • Cairns Hatchlings
  • TV Ratings
  • Radio Ratings
  • Sports Marketing

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
Reading: Droga5 Under Fire From US Unions For ‘Exploiting Performers’
Share
B&TB&T
Subscribe
Search
  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Technology
  • Regulars
    • Agency Scorecards
    • Best of the Best
    • Campaigns of the Month
    • CMO Power List
    • CMOs to Watch
    • Culture Bites
    • Fast 10
    • New Business Winners
    • Spotlight on Sponsors
  • Jobs
  • Awards
    • 30 Under 30
    • B&T Awards
    • Cairns Crocodiles
    • Women In Media
    • Women Leading Tech
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.
B&T > Droga5 Under Fire From US Unions For ‘Exploiting Performers’
FeaturedMedia

Droga5 Under Fire From US Unions For ‘Exploiting Performers’

Staff Writers
Published on: 13th January 2016 at 4:12 PM
Staff Writers
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

Two unions in America, the Screen Actor’s Guild (SCA) and the American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (AFTRA), have targeted ad agency Droga5, claiming it exploits performers by not paying them by industry standards.

The SAG-AFTRA has taken out ads in various trade media around the States, such as Adage and AdWeek, in its quest to make Droga5 sit up and pay attention. SAG-AFTRA says it has a petition more than 8000 strong of people who believe Droga5 pays actors for its ads “substandard wages”.

The supporters and members SAG-AFTRA came to the Droga5 head office in New York to deliver the petition, of which the NYPD were allegedly called.

The group at the Droga5 head office.
The group at the Droga5 head office. Image via SAG-AFTRA.
Screen Shot 2016-01-13 at 3.55.13 PM
A screenshot of the homepage takeover on AdAge.

“SAG-AFTRA went to Droga5 today and stood up to agencies that exploit performers by continuing the destructive practice of unfair pay,” said SAG-AFTRA national executive director David White. “This event demonstrates the strength wielded by our members’ united voice and the union’s dedication to all performers who seek an acting career. There is no place in the growing, lucrative advertising industry for companies that undermine performer rights in the name of profit, and we’ll continue to fight for fair wages, working conditions and benefits for all actors.”

“SAG-AFTRA members simply went to drop off 8,000 petition names and talk with Droga5 today,” said SAG-AFTRA New Yorkl local president Mike Hodge, who led the event. “Instead of coming downstairs and looking us in the eye, Droga5 wouldn’t accept the petition and the police were called. Today’s action shows Droga5 we’re not going away quietly and reminds them that treating hard-working performers in an equitable fashion and allowing them to earn a middle-class living is the right thing to do.”

The homepage takeovers of some of the trade media publication is reportedly just the beginning.

The ad.
The ad.

The SAG-AFTRA is also going to run print ads in trade media, as well as starting a social media campaign #AdsGoUnion on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Tell @droga5 to stop exploiting actors in digital ads #adsgounion https://t.co/w5DAC9GzNs pic.twitter.com/g4jrmCC3nO

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) January 12, 2016

We @sagaftra just came to talk @droga5 . No need to lie to the cops we were throwing things. #sagaftra #adsgounion pic.twitter.com/emkn3DnZfd

— Nick Sakai (@nicksakai) January 12, 2016

Hey Droga5 no need to lie to the cops. We just wanted to give you a some signatures #adsgounion #sagaftra pic.twitter.com/TgqSyaWVcN

— Joseph Melendez (@joseph_melendez) January 12, 2016

We’re here at the @droga5 offices waiting to deliver over 8,000 petitions signed by #sagaftramembers #adsgounion pic.twitter.com/1DHb33pm8L

— SAG-AFTRA (@sagaftra) January 12, 2016

Images via SAG-AFTRA.

Join more than 30,000 advertising industry experts
Get all the latest advertising and media news direct to your inbox from B&T.

No related posts.

TAGGED: Advertising Standards Bureau, streaming services
Share
Staff Writers
By Staff Writers
Follow:
Staff Writers represent B&T's team of award-winning reporters. Here, you'll find articles crafted with industry experience spanning over 50 years. Our team of specialists brings together a wealth of knowledge and a commitment to delivering insightful, topical, and breaking news. With a deep understanding of advertising and media, our Staff Writers are dedicated to providing industry-leading analysis and reporting, both shaping the conversation and setting the benchmark for excellence.

Latest News

YouTube Launches OpenCall Creator Casting Call Service As Creators Are “Swarming” Cannes
17/06/2025
B&T’s Cannes Diary: Saturday & Sunday
17/06/2025
Les Timar Exits Clemenger Group After 27 Years
17/06/2025
TV Ratings (16/06/2025): Food-Themed Superhero’s Take Top Spot In Entertainment Programs
17/06/2025
//

B&T is Australia’s leading news publication magazine for the advertising, marketing, media and PR industries.

 

B&T is owned by parent company The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd.

About B&T

  • About
  • Contact
  • Editorial Guidelines
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Advertise

Top Categories

  • Advertising
  • Campaigns
  • Marketing
  • Media
  • Opinion
  • Technology
  • TV Ratings

Sign Up for Our Newsletter



B&TB&T
Follow US
© 2025 B&T. The Misfits Media Company Pty Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?