TrintyP3 is urging chief marketing officers of big Australian brands to rethink and ask their agency partners about how they handle claims of bullying, harassment, and assault.
The independent strategic marketing management consulting company is taking a stance against such claims by urging advertising agencies to sign a declaration that defines their status on complaints in the workplace.
TrinityP3 founder and chief executive Darren Woolley explained to The Australian Financial Review that by not defining their status on complaints, people and companies potentially risk the reputation of their brands.
“Therefore, in a world demanding greater transparency and accountability, marketers must be informed and aware of the potential risks when choosing those organisations they partner with,” he said.
The document asks agencies to declare if they are aware of any complaints of bullying, harassment and assault in the workplace, current or unresolved and concerning past or present employees.
Agencies are also asked to state if there are current or historical silencing deeds stopping past or present staffers from reporting incidents of bullying, harassment, or assault in the workplace, and if there is an active employee assistance program and independent complaint reporting process in place.
“TrinityP3 has a key role in advising our clients on the agencies they choose to work with. We are trusted to provide insights and knowledge in recommending the best fit agencies for their needs. But there is also the requirement that we inform them on the possible risks and challenges that come with that selection process,” Woolley
While signing the document is not mandatory, TrinityP3 will inform businesses and brands looking for advertising partners which agencies did and did not sign the declaration.
Woolley told the publication he has approached industry bodies such as the Media Federation of Australia (MFA), the Advertising Council of Australia (ACA), and the Independent Media Agencies of Australia (IMAA) about taking on the issue.