Publicis Groupe
Risk Level:
Summary:
Publicis Groupe is an advertising and PR company headquartered in Paris, France. Publicis Groupe is the holding company for a number of related subsidiaries, including Sapient, Leo Burnett Worldwide, and Digitas. Publicis Groupe does not provides protections against political viewpoint discrimination, and the company has pledged to vet vendors for LGBTQ policies. Publicis has implemented many CSR and ESG practices into its overall strategy, and the company has emphasized diversity and inclusion, instituting training and hiring initiatives. Publicis has pledged to cover its US-based employees' abortion-related travel expenses. For these reasons, Publicis Groupe receives a High Risk rating.
Has denied service to customers, suppliers, or vendors due to their political views or religious beliefs OR corporately boycotts, divests, or sanctions regions, people groups, or industries.
Publicis received a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index from the Human Rights Campaign (1). Among other requirements, this means Publicis pledges to vet its vendors for LGBTQ policies. However, the company has not publicly terminated business relationships due to ideological differences.
Charitable giving (including employee matching programs) policies or practices discriminate against charitable organizations based on views or religious beliefs.
Employment policies fail to protect against discrimination based on political affiliation/views and/or religion.
Publicis Groupe does not provide protections from political viewpoint discrimination (1).
Uses corporate reputation to support ideological causes and/or organizations hostile to freedom of expression.
Publicis Groupe ran a pro-gun control campaign in Russia, and company executive Arthur Sadoun signed an open letter urging the US Senate to pass stricter gun control legislation (1)(2). Publicis has emphasized its DEI commitments, running an “Embrace Change” campaign that includes employee diversity training and an increased focus on race in hiring (3). Publicis Groupe has signed the CEO Action for Diversity and Inclusion pledge and remained involved with the organization (4). Publicis Groupe has allied with Tetu Connect, an LGBTQ policy-focused Think Tank in France (5). Publicis Groupe has published US Transition and Employment Support Guidelines and hosted a “Shine On Trans Awareness Week” (6). Publicis Groupe’s LGBTQ employee networks have raised over $550,000 for GLAAD and GLSEN and have helped Publicis Groupe agencies receive a score of 100 on the Corporate Equality Index (7)(8).
Uses corporate funds to advance ideological causes, organizations, or policies hostile to freedom of expression.
After Roe v. Wade was overturned, Publicis announced that it would expand its medical benefits to cover abortion-related travel costs for US-based employees (1).
Uses corporate political contributions for ideological, non-business purposes.
Publicis Groupe does not engage in political spending (1).
All links were last accessed and all information was updated on:
March 24, 2023
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