WPP Brings In Lawyers To Investigate Encrypted Emails Sent After Martin Sorrell’s Departure
The Martin Sorrell saga continues, with WPP enlisting two law firms to help investigate emails sent to current and former employees following the one-time CEO’s abrupt exit.
The anonymous, encrypted emails are from a WhatsApp group that included former executive assistants to Sorrell, and include chunks of messages between employees both former and current, according to media reports.
One of the emails was reportedly sent by a senior WPP exec to a junior employee, and that the discussion topics included Sorrell’s travel arrangements and company bonus plan.
A WPP spokesperson confirmed to AdWeek that it was investigating, with the help of lawyers, six emails sent from an anonymous source “hiding behind a ProtonMail account based in Switzerland” to one ex-staffer and two current employees.
The spokesperson said WPP was “aware of the original source of the subject matter of the emails, which is a former employee’s mobile device used for work and handed in when the employee left the group”.
This all comes after it was reported that Sorrell left WPP in April due to allegations of staff bullying and claims he’d used company money to visit sex workers in London’s upmarket Mayfair.
B&T has sought further comment from WPP.
Latest News
“We Stuffed Up!” Daily Tele Apologises For Publishing Dally M Winner Three Hours Early
The NRL’s night of nights, the Dally M Awards to recognise the season’s best players, turned farcical overnight after News Corp’s The Daily Telegraph accidentally published the winner three hours before the announcement. Just as players were gathering for the Awards, The Tele published an online story from its chief league scribe Phil “Buzz” Rothfield […]
Land Rover Announced As Major Sponsor Of Seven’s SAS Australia
Land Rover Australia today announced its all-new, iconic Defender is set to take centre stage in Seven’s highly anticipated new reality series SAS Australia, as the major automotive and key sponsor. The sponsorship announcement follows the launch of the Land Rover Defender, with the brand integration designed to showcase the vehicle’s unrivalled durability, design and […]
Monday TV Wrap: Seven’s New Military Show SAS A Surprise Hit
Seven’s new show SAS has proven a surprise hit amongst Aussie viewers, with 834,000 (according to OzTAM metro numbers) tuning in to watch a group of celebrities undergo grueling military-style physical challenges. Roxy Jacenko was the first celebrity to voluntarily withdraw from the competition after just six hours, while Schapelle Corby has emerged as a […]
“Yippee Ki Yay!” Bruce Willis Reprises Die Hard Role For Violence-Packed Battery Ad
It’s one of the greatest action blockbusters of all time and 32 years later Die Hard still resonates with the film’s star, Bruce Willis, reprising his John McClane character for a car battery range from supplier Advance Auto Parts. The spot’s the work of creative agency The Marketing Arm and is a surprisingly violent effort […]
Nocturnal Passions Fuel Edgy New Spot For Hyundai Via AnalogFolk Sydney
Global digital creative agency AnalogFolk Sydney has created a moody new campaign to launch Hyundai’s new N-Line sports package for the i30Sedan, launching across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and cinemas. The 90-second launch film ‘After Dark’ takes a non-traditional approach to a traditional car category with dream-like sequences and a quirky, original soundtrack featuring deconstructed […]
GroupM Australia Chief Investment Officer Nicola Lewis Promoted To Global Finecast Role
GroupM Australia Chief Investment Officer Nicola Lewis has been promoted to Global Chief Growth Officer of Finecast, GroupM’s fast-growing Addressable TV business. In her new role, Lewis will work alongside Global CEO Jakob Nielsen and the global leadership team to supercharge the Finecast global footprint, with expansion into 20 countries over the next 24 months. […]
OMD Wins UnLtd Cup In 9th Annual Futsal Tournament
The 9th annual UnLtd Cup saw 24 teams across the industry kick goals for good with OMD taking home the coveted trophy. The annual futsal tournament organised by UnLtd, our industry’s social purpose organisation, raised over $55,000 for children at risk. The extremely competitive and high energy event was held over two days on 15 […]
H&M Launches Shop Online In Australia From Today
Global fashion retailer, H&M has announced the launch of its highly anticipated online store in Australia at hm.com. From today, Australian customers will have access to quality clothing at the best price, made in a sustainable way with the simple click of a button. H&M is committed to offering customers more sustainable fashion with all […]
Gillette Presents “Look Like The Man You Really Are” By Marcel
Gillette France has released a new campaign created in collaboration with rookies from the Kourtrajmé film school and creative agency Marcel. With the campaign “Look Like The Man You Really Are”, produced in collaboration and directed by students of Kourtrajmé’s film school, Gillette takes a fresh look at French men, both in their “shaving” moments […]
Cannes Lions Announces New Home Of Creativity: LIONS
Cannes Lions has announced the creation of its new masterband, LIONS. Building on 67 years of championing creative excellence, LIONS aims to drive progress through creativity and support the global community on their creative journeys, day in, day out. Speaking at the October edition of LIONS Live, which is taking place this week, Simon Cook, Managing […]
Val Morgan Digital Expands Team With Four New Hires
Val Morgan Digital (VMD) has hired four new team members with Alyce Thomas and Claudia Pearce joining as Agency Partnership Managers, Nicola Laing as Strategy & Content Manager and Jack Revell taking on the role of Branded Content & Weekend Editor of TheLatch—. The expansion follows consistent month on month growth at TheLatch—, which reaches 400,000 […]
KITKAT Unveils 85th Global Birthday Campaign Via Wunderman Thompson
KITKAT is launching a global campaign, inviting everyone to join in the celebration of the 85th anniversary of the brand. Created by Wunderman Thompson, it raises awareness of a social media competition to help people mark the occasion of KITKAT turning 85 in 2020. The campaign highlights that, at this unique moment, KITKAT will make […]
Splendid Promotes Mel Johnstone To Partner And Expands To The UK
Following a period of sustained growth and client wins, B2B technology marketing consultancy, Splendid Suggestions, has laid some solid foundations to support the business through the next phase of growth. Off the back of a number of organic referrals from Australian–based clients sharing success with global counterparts, Splendid has recently appointed London-based Jess Littlewood (right, pictured), to lead the UK business and grow the new regional team. Of the appointment, Tim Sands, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Splendid says “Jess […]
TikTok Appoints VMG Digital As Global Creative Marketing Partner
VMG Digital, which creates bespoke, mobile-first video creative, optimised for social media platforms, today announces it has been appointed as a global Creative Marketing Partner for the TikTok Marketing Partner Program. Since launch in August 2020, the TikTok Marketing Partner Program gives brand marketers access to tools to create, measure and optimise ad campaigns on […]
Mediasmiths Appoints Natalie Murray As New Senior Account Planner/Buyer
Independent media agency MediaSmiths today announced the appointment of senior media executive and former insights lead for independent agencies and direct clients at Nova Entertainment, Natalie Murray, as a new Senior Account Planner/Buyer. Murray will be responsible for end-to-end management, planning and buying for several of the agency’s key clients, ensuring outcomes are delivered. She […]
Playground xyz And Are Media Win Inaugural IAB MeasureUp Awards
IAB Australia today announced Playground xyz and Are Media (formerly Bauer Media) as the winners of its inaugural IAB Australia MeasureUp Awards. Selected by the members of the MFA Interactive Committee, the winners will present their research during the 4th Annual MeasureUp conference which begins today. Playground xyz was awarded Best Advertising Effectiveness for its […]
Stockland Partners With Jules Sebastian For Virtual Recipe Series
Stockland has partnered with Sydney-based presenter, stylist and author Jules Sebastian on a six-part Instagram TV recipe series – with episodes released monthly – in an effort to inspire customers to create healthy, easy-to-make meals from their kitchens at home. The series kicked off this month with an online demonstration from Jules on making the […]
H&R Block Sends Aussies Off To sleep With ‘Taxation Relaxation’ Voice Experience Via The Works
Understanding the complexities of the tax system is enough to put anyone to sleep. Now H&R Block in conjunction with creative agency The Works, are giving Aussies the opportunity to enter into a peaceful slumber by listening to the soothing sounds of the Australian Tax code. ‘Taxation Relaxation’ is an Action for the Google Assistant […]
Cbus Super Unveils New Work Via The Shannon Company
Industry superannuation fund, Cbus Super, has ramped up its focus on the retirement market with a new national campaign developed by The Shannon Company (TSC). The spot follows a worker’s morning routine as he transitions from employment to retirement, warmly demonstrating how some things in life don’t have to change. With COVID restrictions ruling out […]
Asian Youth Culture Agency PUSH Opens Sydney Office
The Shanghai-born and Australian-owned creative agency, PUSH announces today the launch of their fourth creative studio in Sydney, Australia. PUSH are the leaders of culture-shaping content with a focus on Asian youth culture, skateboarding, music, fashion and gaming.
Streem Inks New Deal With The Copyright Agency
Streem has inked a new deal with the Copyright Agency. Sadly, it wasn't a blood pact with cuts to peoples' fingers.
Women in Media’s Clare Alstin & Catherine Stone: “Step Outside Your Comfort Zone & Get Dirty”
It's not one but two interviews in today's Women In Media profiles. It's the editorial equivalent of free garlic bread.
Aceik Recognised With Platinum Sitecore Implementation Partner Status
If B&T actually had a star rating for headline readability even we'd only give this one a half. Possibly a one.
Richards Rose Wins University Of Adelaide Brand Strategy Account
Communications agency Richards Rose celebrates University Of Adelaide win with toga party and celebratory beer bong.
Google And Netflix Partner With PHORIA For AR Nature Series
Has your life reached the "tracksuit/Netflix binge" stage? Why not pat your paunch while reading this.
“Juvenile, Idiotic, Schoolboy, Lavatorial!” The Reason Why Mindshare’s Global CEO Nick Emery Was Sacked Revealed
If you're gonna get marched, "juvenile, idiotic, schoolboy & lavatorial" is definitely one of the better ways to do it.
Hugh Jackman Relinquishes Share Of R.M. Williams But Remains Ambassador Following Twiggy Forrest Takeover
B&T's unsure if we go to a rugby playing/merchant baker audience, but if we do, here's some R.M. Williams news.
Bud Light Spoofs The Cardboard Cutout In Fun New Work
Overdo it on the weekend? Well, let this witty beer spot be the Alka-Seltzer to your frazzled Monday mind.
Sunday TV Wrap: Bathurst Pulls 669,000 For 10
Sure, the Bathurst race runs for about eight hours, however, actual action can be whittled down to about four seconds.
Improving ROI Is The Focus For 91% Of Marketers: Study
Study finds 91% of marketers say ROI is most important, other 9% says it's getting their boozy lunches through expenses.
