{"id":22195,"date":"2025-04-20T13:55:47","date_gmt":"2025-04-20T13:55:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/?p=22195"},"modified":"2025-04-20T13:55:48","modified_gmt":"2025-04-20T13:55:48","slug":"agencies-are-quietly-backing-away-from-dei-initiatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mysourcefunding.com\/?p=22195","title":{"rendered":"Agencies are quietly backing away from DEI initiatives"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

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As the Trump administration continues to target DEI efforts across the country, at least two major advertising holding companies have quietly dialed back some of their DEI pledges.<\/p>\n

In recent months, both WPP and IPG have removed language on their websites emphasizing diversity, according to website captures from the Wayback Machine reviewed by Marketing Brew. WPP removed a paragraph on its \u201cBelonging\u201d webpage, which had previously emphasized its \u201caim to build a workforce that reflects the diverse communities we serve.\u201d The now-deleted paragraph also mentioned the company\u2019s commitment to \u201cactively promoting gender balance and racial equity\u201d and its continuous effort \u201c to create opportunities for underrepresented groups.\u201d<\/p>\n

The change was made sometime since November (the Wayback Machine does not consistently capture every page on the web, so Marketing Brew could not determine the exact date of the change).<\/p>\n

IPG, which Omnicom announced plans to acquire in a deal that is being reviewed by the FTC, removed a paragraph from the \u201cDiversity and Inclusion\u201d portion of its website that detailed that CEO compensation across the holding company would be tied to broader diversity goals. \u201cA portion of each of our major companies\u2019 CEOs\u2019 performance objectives is tied directly to diversity,\u201d the page previously read, according to Wayback Machine captures. \u201cIf a given company\u2019s diversity goals are not met, that CEO\u2019s incentive pay is adversely affected.\u201d<\/p>\n

That change was made sometime between February 20 and March 31, Marketing Brew determined, based on Wayback Machine captures.<\/p>\n

When asked for comment, Jonathan Sanchez, WPP\u2019s SVP of communications and public affairs in North America, referred Marketing Brew to comments made by WPP CEO Mark Read in the company\u2019s annual report that was released last month, which replaced references to diversity, equity, and inclusion with \u201cpeople and culture.\u201d Those comments read:<\/p>\n

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\u201cIn today\u2019s complex world, a pressing question for brands and organisations is whether to engage on social issues in a more contested public arena, and how to navigate the expectations of different audiences with competing views on sensitive topics. With political events much has changed over the last year. Some things, though, have not changed. At WPP our aim has always been to foster a culture of respect for one another in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers. We also believe a workforce that reflects the world around us, and the consumers our clients want to reach, helps us do the best work and is good for business. Like all companies with operations in the United States, we are monitoring developments and keeping any implications for our business under ongoing review. We will continue to meet legal requirements in all our markets.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n

A representative for IPG did not return Marketing Brew\u2019s requests for comment.<\/p>\n

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Walking on eggshells?<\/strong> The changes mark the latest evidence of continued walkbacks across industries on DEI initiatives and efforts amid a broad federal effort to scale back corporate attempts to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion at their organizations. Dozens of companies across industries, including Amazon, Meta, Google, Disney, Paramount, Pepsi, and Warner Bros. Discovery, have recently scaled back their DEI commitments, and Comcast, NBCU\u2019s parent company, is facing an FCC investigation into its DEI initiatives.<\/p>\n

As of mid-March, more than 200 of the largest American corporations had removed mentions of DEI and related terms from their annual reports, according to the Financial Times.<\/p>\n

For IPG, the removal of language tying CEO compensation to DEI goals comes amid its effort to merge with Omnicom, which was first announced in December. Shareholders from both companies approved the merger at a vote held last month, but approval from the FTC is still required, and in March, the FTC requested additional information, which Adweek reported could be a sign that there is further scrutiny about whether the merger could be anticompetitive. Nearly three-quarters of proposed mergers that undergo second requests are either abandoned or voluntarily restructured, according to a 2024 report from federal antitrust regulators<\/p>\n

The number of companies incorporating DEI-related metrics in executive compensation had been on the rise starting in 2021, but declined in 2024, according to data from The Conference Board cited by Fortune.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Read the full article here<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

As the Trump administration continues to target DEI efforts across the country, at least two major advertising holding companies have quietly dialed back some of their DEI pledges. In recent months, both WPP and IPG have removed language on their websites emphasizing diversity, according to website captures from the Wayback Machine reviewed by Marketing Brew. 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