Valerie Madon’s exit from Havas ‘to pursue other opportunities’ not related to E-Pay racism row, it is claimed
Valerie Madon has left Havas Group as chief creative officer for South East Asia and chairwoman of Havas Group Singapore.
A statement from the network said: “Havas Group has confirmed that Valerie Madon, the chief creative officer Southeast Asia and chairwoman Havas Group Singapore is moving on from the organisation to pursue other opportunities.
“We thank Valerie for her contribution and wish her the best with her next chapter.”
Mumbrella had been given to understand that Madon’s departure was unrelated to the recent controversy surrounding a campaign for E-Pay – created by Havas – and actually took place before the furore around the creative work.
Madon apparently had no direct oversight on the campaign and had resigned last week, prior to the campaign being called out for using allegedly racist imagery, it was said.
This was, however, denied by sources at Havas who said that Madon had resigned this week and that as the chief creative officer she did indeed have oversight over the campaign – even if she was not directly involved with its creation.
Lots of people pursue other opportunities but whether those opportunities pursue them is another matter.
ReplyThis is a shame, but she did the right thing.
ReplySure….of course….no, seriously, there is no connection. There is absolutely totally nothing to see here. Honestly.
Meanwhile good luck to Val…I mean she really deserves it. She is truly one of the nicest, warmest, genuinest people in the industry. Always putting others before her. A top notch creative and ECD. She really has produced incredibly memorable work at Havas. And an awards judge machine too, just always judging. Again, all altruistically, just for the benefit of the industry and her peers. She also single-handedly eradicated all the politics in the office. A true leader and empowerer.
[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]
And lastly….how to say it…..[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] Havas as an advertising agency in Singapore. [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
Reply“Madon apparently had no direct oversight on the campaign and had resigned last week, prior to the campaign finding itself being called out for using allegedly racist imagery.”
With great titles come great responsibility. As a CCO, if there isn’t oversight over all campaigns, then what is the role of a CCO?
An [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] everywhere.
ReplyIt was an oversight in a different way. Oversight as in [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
ReplyVal has left a phenomenal legacy at the many, many places she has worked. Incredible work and achievements in such short timeframes, each and every time. Go well.
ReplyThis lady seems very highly regarded, doing lots of jury duty, and representations of female empowerment. However…
The golden question is, what work has [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]?
Reply[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. I don’t know her work really or brands she worked on.
ReplyThere was that bracelet that was supposed to protect women from sexual harassment by sending a notification to loved ones, and it was given to exactly the number of people needed for the case study video, with no effort to commercialize the invention after it won a Silver Lion.
ReplyThe Charm Bracelet, and many other similar works, certainly turned the fortunes of that agency around.
ReplySnowflakes in Ad-Land
ReplyWhat do you mean?
Reply80% of those who now work in Adland are IDPOL snowflakes. Get woke, go broke, darling.
ReplyMadon told Marketing, “I’m really looking forward to my next chapter working on major global brands in a network reknowned for its creative profile. I wish Vishnu and Havas the best for the future.”
That’s a bit mean for all the people she leaves behind no….
Good luck to all those who have the fortune to work with Val. She is a true professional.
Reply“I’m really looking forward to my next chapter working on major global brands in a network reknowned for its creative profile.”
It’s a confusing statement by her. Seems to convey that she has already locked down a new offer but then again, could be just a
Replywish she’s expressing.
“Working on major global brands in a network renowned for its creativity…”. Val’s done this brilliantly at most major networks already known for their creativity before she arrived. Whoever gets her next is so lucky. Just hope they can hold onto her!
Replyit’s obvious none of you have worked for her, or even have any experience in the local industry at all if all you can do is be negative about val. maybe focus your intense assumption skills on work instead and we’ll be reading about you on this site instead
ReplyI have worked with val and work locally. 90% of comments are totally valid. good luck to [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines], I hope they [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]…
ReplyWhichever renowned agency having her next is so lucky. Changes jobs every 2 years [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. All the best.
Reply““The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
What I find truly puzzling is that Valerie Madon is marred to an Indian bloke. So how did she let this ad happen? A CCO is responsible for every piece of creative work that leaves the building.
Also, the Epay incident was more serious than it appears.
Some blogger released a video hitting out against it in which another
race was targeted. This caused a cabinet minister to go public with some disciplinary comments and FB was asked to take that video down. Heavy duty stuff and a reminder of how fragile racial harmony
is on this island. It must be guarded against such frivolous ads that
make a joke of it.
All in all, this is a [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] should keep the already poor reputation of the advertising business from deteriorating further.
ReplyAn ad that features a backward & racist meme like brown face, and is completely oblivious of the fact that many top regional clients in the big FMCG companies are from the Indian subcontinent is simply BAD FOR BUSINESS.
It seems someone high on up has reached the same conclusion.
Replyhas any other creative pursued as many other new opportunities as [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]
ReplyIn this day and age, a chief creative officer needs to look at the work. They have to get hands on or accept whatever comes if they decide to choose not too. It’s on your watch and it’s your responsibility. However and whatever this scene plays out, its a cautionary tale to be adhered to.
ReplyI find it sad that people are using this as a platform to bash Val. This is not done, you cowards! I have known her to be a great, strong individual. It’s just that you can’t handle that. Why don’t you f-in reveal your identity instead of hiding behind and bad mouthing. Jealous low individuals you!
ReplyYeah…a “great, strong” individual under whose creative leadership an agency was found to have put out a demeaning and racist ad that was deemed to be against racial harmony and attracted the attention of the law and home minister. And instead of taking responsibility immediately, denials were issued that she had nothing to do with it…even though the agency spokesperson refuted that account.
Somehow ‘great’ and ‘strong’ do not describe that sort of behaviour.
ReplyI do agree that the ad crossed the line on it being considered inappropriate. However what surprises me is that none of the critics dare condemn the [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. We all know the hidden truth but we are willing to condemn an ad.
ReplyIf what you say about val is true…then I’m sure the comments would be more positive.
Seems like what goes around comes around.
Interesting that your real name is ‘So Rude’…oh wait it isn’t your real name either. Cowards indeed.
Replywhat baffles me is how many comments are modified and read [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. I mean who gave Mumbrella the right to monitor free speech.
ReplyPerhaps have a read of the community guidelines here https://www.mumbrella.asia/community-guidelines and then abide by them, if you’d like to have your comments posted in full. The guidelines are there for good reason.
ReplyYet no one in Hong Kong is offended by this black face TVC from brazenly racist “Darlie” toothpaste (the Chinese name 黑人牙膏 literally means black people toothpaste: https://www.marketing-interactive.com/darlie-hong-kong-awaken-your-morning-integrated-campaign-spotlights-louis-cheung/
Make no mistake, Darlie is a Colgate product
ReplyDarlie is not colgate brand ????
ReplyNo one in Hong Kong?
Maybe because Hong Kong is a Chinese country. Why would Chinese be offended by it? If you google, you’ll see that the ad did receive criticisms from outside Hong Kong.
ReplyJust another planner, note Singapore is a multi-racial society where HK is predominately Chinese. The Havas ad is not just about blackface but also brown face, which successfully provoked non Chinese bloggers to respond in Singapore. You are not comparing apples with apples here.
ReplySo I wonder, MediaCorp, what do you have to say about being the biggest producer of state backed media in Singapore?
Let’s look at some facts, you are very much part of this mess. You supplied the talent and you signed off on his character. So yes, you are guilty and somebody needs to own up and get a box.
Let’s take one example outside of #browngate. MediaCorp endorses people like [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] doing disgusting parodies with her Leticia character. (Which is the equivalent of black face with her heavy pinoy accent.)
I would argue this is very much a [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] attack on ones culture and language. It also arrows a class of people here that are already [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. It is a cheap shot of a laugh and one you should be ashamed to have been part of. But it is comedy you say…
So another comic, and an Indian rapper, doing some low reach youtube video is a violation of some sort of race laws all of a sudden? Should we hold the ad agency and the client up to the same law?
Don’t you think it is upsetting for a Muslim person to see a Chinese male play a Malay Muslim woman in her traditional garb? If this was Saudi, I can’t even think of the consequences of that one.
[Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]’s Leticia character on ‘The Noose’ clearly is a disgusting stereotype of our marginalised domestic [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. And she still does this character today. And she did it for government advertising campaigns which everybody is so afraid to comment on.
Racism is an issue, and it is very much in [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines], but when the target of comedy turns, we have you know who getting involved.
MediaCorp has the widest national market reach and they should either stand by their actors and producers and defend the arts a comedy or fire them and start over.
As for the #browngate disaster, somebody should be sacked at MediaCorp too and make an example of them. This is no doubt a violation of the broadcasting guidelines all producers and writers/djs have to sign off on at the station and they are accountable.
You are not above it MediaCarp, you are very much part of the problem. If you think about it, you taught us all how to make videos, edit and select entertainment. You set the bar.
It is high time to raise the bar of entertainment, not keep lowering it with bad English, bad Chinese and outdated comedy sketches with any parody of any race, culture, religion or people.
It isn’t funny anymore.
ReplyDear Val
Now that this has happened, don’t lose heart. Bad things happen to make us reflect. Upon where we went wrong, how we would do things differently and better… and to make use of the spare time to be with those who matter most: family.
Maybe you will find a silver lining in all of this. You could volunteer some time towards good causes like promoting racial equality and harmony, counsel women of power about the importance of keeping
a balanced perspective. Or even teach at a local institute to pass on your skills to the next generation.
The future is full of possibilities and just waiting to be discovered.
All the best,
Fafa Rodriguez
ReplyI don’t work at Havas but I know that her departure is in the works for months. It’s part politics and part [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] leadership and results. Unfortunate timing really.
And if you guys think CCO gets their hands dirty at every single piece of work that leaves the agency then you probably don’t work in one. While It’s true that they are meant to see everything, Most leave it to their trusted lieutenants.
ReplyWhen you make an exculpatory post like this, you really need to
provide your real name as otherwise people may think it is
just an attempt at damage control, often times initiated by the person
named in the story or their close friends/relative.
So your post is a bit cloudy in that respect.
ReplySomeone used the words great and strong earlier. I resume strong
Replyrefers to strength of character/resilience etc.
Trying to push the blame to “trusted lieutenants” is really
not representative of ‘strength’. Strength is owning something that happens on your watch and dealing with the consequences like
a man….or in this case, woman.
Oh no, no. I’m not saying she is pushing the blame and throwing ‘lieutenants’ under the bus. I’m just saying she is probably unaware that this particular piece of work went out. Many CCOs are usually unaware of what work goes out. It is really up to the CDs and ECDs to update them.
ReplyNot saying she has zero blame but that’s the reality of agencies.
I just saw that somebody is blaming a CD there. What is is name? This was leaked to the press by somebody not wanted to take responsibility. Somebody who just resigned I think.
ReplyPersonal attacks loaded with hate. How shameful. Can someone from Havas, colleagues or friends please rise up and back Val.
ReplyYou reap what you sow. Treat people [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
ReplyKarma. It’s a wonderful thing.
ReplyThese aren’t really personal attacks. [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. Sorry, but not sorry. These comments are legit. She didn’t [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] she didn’t own the mistake she made. At that level with that sort of title, we know where the buck stops.
ReplyI doubt Valerie’s departure has anything to do with this particular furor although it certain execerbated the haste of leaving. Let’s face it. [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]… It’s probably a move that was already planned for sometime.
ReplyI think you’re clutching at straws because your post is nothing but your (or someone else’s) opinion. By using words like ‘I doubt’ and ‘probably’, that is pretty obvious.
People know how to connect the dots.
She hasn’t come out and issued an official denial either…nor an apology for letting this offensive ad out of the agency. Did you know that 99% of a creative leader’s job is having a sound sense of judgement? Instead we are seeing statements (most likely coached) saying that a CCO can’t be expected to sign off on everything and that ‘trusted lieutenants’ are to blame. Well, in that case, it does seem like the wrong people were trusted.
ReplyThis spin control is a day too late. Wasn’t this [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. But this ad in question, [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. You can’t out shout us or change the facts now that it has all hit the fan dear. This is advertising and the former [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] that’s for sure.
ReplyEven if she [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] and is responsible for it as the creative leader. Do the honorable thing and say you’re sorry and resign over it showing the responsibility of a boss. I am sorry, but there are two things in life that are certain: you can’t change history, and you can’t [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] forever.
Replyso then shall we point finger to the ‘trusted army’ then since the CCO has no involvement in the campaign?
the trusted lieutenant should issue an apology on behalf of the advertising community on such an oversight.
ReplyThe CCO is the one who represents and nurtures an agency’s creative soul. To send a strong message to existing and future clients that the creative soul needs a reboot was obviously seen as a matter of urgency.
However, if the “lieutenants” think their troubles are over, I suspect
Replythey are mistaken.
Some very sharp facts penned by Bertha Henson in her analysis.
She lays the blame squarely at the ad agency’s feet. And also wonders why Mediacorp went along with this when there was precedent of such a move backfiring previously. Some snippets:
“NETS engaged HAVAS Worldwide as its creative agency, which then engaged Mediacorp’s celebrity management arm to cast television actor and deejay Dennis Chew as the face of the campaign.”
“It can’t be for lack of money to hire other actors, given that E-Pay is a big push in our Smart Nation initiative. It is more like some not very smart people failing to take into account how an Indian or a Malay would feel about having a Chinese impersonating them. I mean, have people at The Celebrity Agency forgotten how its own company Mediacorp was fined in 2017 for featuring a Chinese actor as a black man with blackface makeup in an episode in “I Want To Be A Star”?”
“…I don’t have to be in advertising to know how some people on the ground would react. And I definitely wouldn’t have put a name tag on the brown faced “Indian”. The fault, therefore, lies with the big boys who put out the ad; they should have known better.”
“I have no doubt that NETS et al never intended to denigrate other races with the ad. As I said, they are just not very smart people who didn’t think carefully when coming up with a marketing concept. In fact, it’s a wonder that the E-Pay ad made it through from conceptualisation to final dissemination without anyone raising a red flag.”
ReplyNot the first time some poor judgement calls have landed an agency in a soup. Remains to be seen whether a certain account will be up for a pitch soon.
ReplyWondering whats the turnover rate at Havas these last few month. I am sure this is all set with a clear strategy from the top. Muahahahahah
ReplyCouldn’t happen to [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] in Singapore it seems.
ReplySomeone from Havas just seems to have implied that it was Mediacorp who forced them to explore ways of using a Chinese talent alone to represent the campaign
ReplyThe ‘someone’ theory is meaningless unless backed by a name
and evidence of official correspondence that supports their claim.
I feel there is no upside for the agency to try and blame anyone else now. They buck stops with them as they are being paid
for strategic and creative counsel. They should have raised their concerns in writing before the event occurred.
The agency is probably hoping to close this sorry chapter and move on
as quietly and quickly as it can. High profile figures in the G have been offended and the agency is now on their radar. This has implications for future G tenders. Big buck$ involved.
V can keep denying her role in the matter but the official agency version does not agree with that denial.
ReplyI’ve worked with her before, I know her strengths and I also know [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. We’re all human beings and we have our strong sides just like we have our weak ones, and I have to admit that I’ve been [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
ReplySingapore ad industry ego, its output and standards are way inflated in relation to its significance in the global ad world.
If you are constnatly [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines], then negative comment sections are not really surprising.
When technocrats play the politics and process game only, eventualy they box themselves in.
ReplySee, that blew over quickly. Well, not really, there will be new laws past thanks to the gross negligence and judgement of [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. This is a fact and should not be omitted from my comment my dear Mumbro. So back to business as usual? I fear not. Next time, I’d suggest listening to the account people when they say this might be offensive. Also, but related, HAVAS did a brilliant job managing this but removing the person in charge. I only wish I had read that she admitted it was indeed under her watch and she dropped the ball. The truth, as painful as it is, is well-documented by trusted sources inside the agency I’m told. I still think everybody got lucky that the Muslim people here didn’t have a meltdown for you portraying a Malay woman like that. And like that, I mean, a man in drag. In the end, we all got lucky.
Replyval will have the last laugh only when all bad press passes
ReplyI have seen cases where the CCO’s choices about when to be hands on and when to be hands off are very arbitrary. If it’s not something that
they can take credit for and look good, it’s hands off. If it’s something that can be used to further their career, it’s hands on to the point of
shoving the original creators out of the way. The truth is, the CCO is responsible for everything. And if they choose to blindly delegate, they must ensure they trust the right people. Surrounding yourself with [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
Similarly, using your position to [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] ideas is also a move that often backfires.
ReplyThe fallout of this shocking lapse of professional judgement has lasting ramifications for race relations,politics, policing the web, freedom of speech, business for the agency & clients involved and people’s careers.
ReplyAnyone who thinks this is a laughing matter that will blow away is clearly not qualified for management.
The web never forgets.
And this sorry episode will haunt the names involved for a lifetime.
Now that the dust has settled… it’s time for another name change. Top that with a new catch phrase/jargon/mambo jambo and voila! Non the wiser.
As for the creative director / lieutenant / [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] in question, it’s time to grow up, get a [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
ReplyFor those who made their reputation with work 5-10 years ago and assumed that they do not need to prove anything, perhaps they should consider getting back to the front line. Work by example is the best PR, rather than milking off past great achievements that predate Facebook, iPhones, and ecommerce.
ReplyIn addition to all the racial insensivity and poor creative judgement, this episode raises other issues that directly affect how we groom future generations that enter advertising. These youngsters look up to senior leaders and hang on to their every word. Should leaders who have shown themselves as not up to the task be allowed to lecture/groom/feature on portfolio night sessions?
ReplyWith a portfolio of stunning digital work like this, a new job announcement can’t be far off. My guess would be the agency that
has three brands under it….very progressive and female empowerment focused. Perfect fit.
https://valeriecheng.carbonmade.com
ReplyHere is what happens when ads aren’t vetted by good judgement.
I hope she was cc’d on this:
IMDA issues ‘stern reminder’ over E-Pay ‘brownface’ ad
SINGAPORE — While the controversial E-Pay ‘brownface’ ad did not breach the Internet Code of Practice, it was done in “poor taste” and caused offence to minority communities, said the Info-communications Media Development Authority(IMDA) on Wednesday (14 August).
In a statement, the agency said that it had completed its assessment of the ad, featuring popular television and radio personality Dennis Chew. Chew was depicted as four different characters, including an Indian man with artificially darkened skin and a Malay woman wearing a headscarf.
“IMDA has thus issued a stern reminder to the parties involved in the Ad on the importance of paying attention to racial and religious sensitivities,” said an IMDA spokesperson.
“IMDA expects all advertising companies and other content producers to be similarly mindful of these sensitivities. IMDA will not hesitate to take action against any content that is found to be in breach of our Codes of Practice and guidelines.”
Singapore’s advertising authority said on 1 August that while the advertisement was “in poor taste”, it did not breach its code of practice.
The council of the Advertising Standards Authority of Singapore (ASAS) felt that the advertisement was not done “with harm in mind or to deliberately put down any ethnic groups”, said its chairman Professor Ang Peng Hwa, adding that ASAS has received two feedback about the matter.
Separately, a two-year conditional warning has been issued to social media personality Preeti Nair and her brother Subhas over a controversial rap video the duo released online last month.
The video, a response to the E-Pay ad, was peppered with expletives and vulgar gestures directed at Chinese.
With regard to the E-Pay advertisement, the police said that while reports had been made over it, the Attorney-General’s Chambers had advised that no criminal offence had been committed. “The Police will take no further action in relation to the advertisement,” the statement said.
Those who receive conditional warnings from the police are liable to be charged for the original offence should they breach the specified conditions. After the end of a condition period, the accused parties will no longer be subject to prosecution for the original offence.
ReplyYou know, a full investigation would interview people from the agency and ask who approved this and when. The account people have dates, and they have emails, and replies. It is all documented here my friends. She [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. Her next agency will be announced sooner than the next agency [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
ReplyFrom what I’m hearing, there will be no next agency.
ReplyYou wait and see my young agency friends. You wait and see who you next lady boss is going to be. Then you will regret everything you said here. So what if she didn’t apologise, it is obviously because [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] Can’t wait to see her talk at her next gig. I think it is at Spikes. This is the most discussed story on Mumbrella for a reason kids it is a learning lessons. Wait until the [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] , hahaha
Reply@trademag, that would have been the case before when copywriters still type on tpewriters, art directors still do bromide casts and [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] column but not today, where nothing disappears on search and everything is retrievable — like the [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
Sure, we will definitely see her resurface as head honcho somewhere but she’d have to do [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] . Did you know Shanmugan had a forum with NUS students just recently over Brownfacegate? The government doesn’t forget.
ReplyAnyone who thinks Spikes is a “gig” is obviously missing the point about what it means to be a creative leader and would be a [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines].
ReplyI think is is all blown out because of the local National Day Hype. That’s why the Ministers got all involved. It was the anti-harmony ad. But there is a race problem there that needs addressing. That is why it is so sensitive. Agency apologized, did the right thing internally and publicly. Client learned its lesson. And no client should ever use Mediacorp for anything just because they fit the budget. A more [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] creative leader would have never let this happen. Let alone, not take the responsibility and [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. As somebody mentioned above, it is a very hard job that few can do well. I can’t wait to see her speak at Spikes. I just saw her folio, it is [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. Lot’s of people are going to see what she says at Spikes for sure.
ReplyHere’s my analysis of what went down.
There’s a widely circulated picture in the media with a large group of [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines]. That sort of picture inadvertently sends a message, and a poor one at that….I think it caused the [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] to lose face….very dangerous ground.
Every cloud has a silver lining though….while that Preetipls response vdo was disgusting, it sure set in motion the events that followed….so drinks all around for Preeti and Subhas… and please put it on my tab.
I too am looking forward to her Spikes talk. There will be a few hundred extra faces in that audience who will show up. Although
Replysomething tells me it won’t be to listen to her views on the future of digital advertising…LOL.
I think a lot of your @analysis is missing with the edited parts. I would think some opinions can still stay and wish I could read them. There is always room for a bit of hype in any story. But yes, she was for a short while one of the most promoted women creative leaders in the industry. Death by by brownface is the residual byline I’m afraid.
ReplyI didn’t know what ‘creatively dull’ and ‘tasteless’ meant.
ReplyUntil I looked them up in the licktionary.
This article has so many comments yet it is buried here on the back page while the fake news Most Discussed are other stories about way less infamous people and situations. Keep it real Mumsters, the number of comments don’t lie.
ReplyHave you guys seen the HAVAS NETS video cut of that same ad??? There is an offline edit floating around. OMG. [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] saw this too, make no excuses about it. I wonder which [Edited under Mumbrella’s community guidelines] boss will save her from this fall from grace.
ReplyHave your say