Publicis Groupe and head of futures and insight Tom Goodwin have parted ways following a controversial coronavirus tweet.
Earlier this week Goodwin took to Twitter to offer a controversial point of view on the coronavirus pandemic.
He said: “I find the total obsession with Covid deaths over all other deaths entirely gruesome. 7500 Americans die every day but only the ones with this precise new Virus matter.”
He added: “(& excess mortality is now near zero)”.
His tweet drew plenty of attention, including that of R/GA US chief strategy officer Tom Morton who said “this is the end” of his and Goodwin’s professional correspondence.
A Publicis Groupe spokesperson said in light of Goodwin’s tweets, the agency decided to part ways with the exec, who was appointed to the role at the start of the year.
“Since the beginning of this pandemic, Publicis Groupe has taken decisions and actions led by the principles of unity, empathy and humanity despite the collective hardships.
“These posts and exchanges by Tom Goodwin this week on social media do not meet the standard of conduct we expect of our company’s employees and were not aligned with our values. Publicis and Tom have parted ways.”
I find the total obsession with Covid deaths over all other deaths entirely gruesome.
7500 Americans die every day but only the ones with this precise new Virus matter.
( & excess mortality is now near zero) https://t.co/MGRY8tuf7I
— Tom Goodwin (@tomfgoodwin) August 2, 2020
I guess this is the end of me and Tom Goodwin's professional correspondence. pic.twitter.com/oVGaV3KuGe
— Tom Morton 🇺🇦🇮🇱 (@tommorton) August 2, 2020
Prior to being appointed head of futures and insight at Publicis, Goodwin spent over three years with Publicis-owned Zenith Media as EVP, head of innovation.
He has also spent time at Havas Media, IPG Media Lab and currently also works as a speaker, author and consultant.
