The chief executive of Imago Y&R, which is 25% owned by WPP's Young & Rubicam, in Harare has been named as the architect of the ruling Zanu-PF party's election advertising campaign.
The campaign, which has been marred by the murder of opposition activists, is being run by Sharon Mugabe, who is said to be a cousin of the African leader.
According to a report in the Sunday Times, she is believed to be behind an ad campaign that directs anger at former colonial rulers the British, portraying them as pith helmet-wearing, lazy imperialists.
One ad features a white man in his Pith helmet being carried in a hammock by African servants. The text reads: "The British came only to seize land, conquer and enjoy life on our land at our expense. It's now time for us to enjoy the gains of our independence."
It implies that voters will benefit if more whites are driven out of the country. Many white farmers have been murdered by Mugabe henchmen and more have been driven from their homes in recent years as Zanu-PF seizes their land.
WPP acquired the agency in 2000 and Sir Martin Sorrell, the WPP chief executive, has now ordered it be sold. A sale would mean offloading WPP's stake to Mugabe for a nominal sum.
Sharon Mugabe only became involved with WPP when she bought the majority stake in the agency in 2006 from its white owner. WPP said it had asked Sharon Mugabe if she was linked to the Zimbabwean president and she had told the company she was not.
However, the opposition party the Movement for Democratic Changes believes she is a cousin of the corrupt president who is facing a run off in a second presidential election after failing to win the first one.
Bernard Barnett, WPP's corporate vice-president EMEA, said: "This is a disgraceful regime and we want no connection between Y&R and it."
WPP is not the first British agency group to be caught up in Zimbawbe. In March, Bell Pottinger's public affairs arm held talks about lobbying on behalf of Zimbabwe.
However, agency boss Peter Bingle turned down the chance to work for the regime.
Bingle, chairman of Bell Pottinger Public Affairs, made the admission to the Commons public administration select committee.
Comments
WPP - truly disgusting behaivour. You mean you actually believed Sharon Mugabe when she said she was no relation to Robert Mugabe ? No checking. No interest - it seems money really does speak volumes. I caqnnot beleive that from 2000 - 2008 with all the info and news reports you beleived that there was nothing wrong - you have the blood of innocents on your hands ! Shame on you !
I totally agree - it's been apparent for years what Mugabe's up to but WPP chose to turn a blind eye for all that time. I wonder if WPP would have continued to do so if the news hadn't got out? Pretty shameful.
I wonder if all those in charge at WPP will take a good look at the bodies and the injuries of the victims of Zanu-PF and think to themselves - I had a hand in that. That was a campaign to be proud of!
Staggering!
This is a truly shocking story - WPP should take a long hard look at their so-called 'CSR policies'. If WPP cannot ensure its own business is run ethically how does it expect clients to trust it with safeguarding and promoting their brands?
Maybe but IPA Effectiveness Award anyone?
Dirty cash, I want you, dirty cash, I need you more....money talks.
Of all the countries in which to invest for a profit, why pick one with not only one of the world's worst regimes, but the worst economy? On the cheap perhaps? Another few points on the FTSE or Dow Jones? WPP has tarred itself with a big dirty brush of shame. Although Sir Martin may not directly make every decision globally, he would always be consulted prior to acquisition! Very bad PR and as most of the other comments say, shameful
I wonder if WPP will donate all profits they have made through this office since acquisition in 2000 to a suitable NGO as a goodwill gesture?
That's a neat idea although sadly the money will never get there given that it's now a totalitarian regime. I'm sure that the MDC would be a worthy recipient.
Naughty. Indeed greedy. Surely a head will roll.
Is this what's called 'helping refugees'?
http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/821270/Sorrell-Freud-help-refugees/ ?
Incredibly negligent. And no exuse. Sorrel should surely know who he's working with and for...? Surely this is an investment that should have been dumped BEFORE it went public! It can't always be about the money.
Regarding 'helping refugees', its a shame that the sorrell/freud deal won't help the people of Zimbabwe who have fled their country in fear of persecution/death by Mugabe's army/supporters but are not officially recognised as refugees by their neighbouring countries such as South Africa. A real shame indeed.
WPP: 'Any relation Sharon?'
Sharon Mugabe: 'To who?'
WPP: 'Robert Mugabe...Tyrant, mass genocide, torture, murder etc etc'
Sharon Mugabe: 'Oh him....Oh no no no, its a weird coincidence that i share that name and happen to be doing his advertising campaign! I never thought of that'
WPP: 'You are sure about that Sharon Mugabe?'
Sharon Mugabe: 'Yep, really sure....look at all this money we have for you anyway!'
WPP: 'MONEY! YAY!'
To be fair WPP did not buy the company from her. She arrived later and bought it.
Apparently there's a bloke in Korea called Gary Jong Il is after an agency. He's legit too
If you scroll quite far down the page on this link:
http://www.zimdaily.com/news/wpp27.5071.html
you will see a response from Y&R. Apparently they are looking to sell their share in Imago.
Comments
OraRuth Reichenberg - 23/06/2008
WPP - truly disgusting behaivour. You mean you actually believed Sharon Mugabe when she said she was no relation to Robert Mugabe ? No checking. No interest - it seems money really does speak volumes. I caqnnot beleive that from 2000 - 2008 with all the info and news reports you beleived that there was nothing wrong - you have the blood of innocents on your hands ! Shame on you !
Jeremy Lee - 23/06/2008
I totally agree - it's been apparent for years what Mugabe's up to but WPP chose to turn a blind eye for all that time. I wonder if WPP would have continued to do so if the news hadn't got out? Pretty shameful.
sim marriott - 23/06/2008
I wonder if all those in charge at WPP will take a good look at the bodies and the injuries of the victims of Zanu-PF and think to themselves - I had a hand in that. That was a campaign to be proud of! Staggering!
Nicola Clark - 23/06/2008
This is a truly shocking story - WPP should take a long hard look at their so-called 'CSR policies'. If WPP cannot ensure its own business is run ethically how does it expect clients to trust it with safeguarding and promoting their brands?
Jeremy Lee - 23/06/2008
Maybe but IPA Effectiveness Award anyone?
Paul McShane - 23/06/2008
Dirty cash, I want you, dirty cash, I need you more....money talks. Of all the countries in which to invest for a profit, why pick one with not only one of the world's worst regimes, but the worst economy? On the cheap perhaps? Another few points on the FTSE or Dow Jones? WPP has tarred itself with a big dirty brush of shame. Although Sir Martin may not directly make every decision globally, he would always be consulted prior to acquisition! Very bad PR and as most of the other comments say, shameful
Caroline Barker - 23/06/2008
I wonder if WPP will donate all profits they have made through this office since acquisition in 2000 to a suitable NGO as a goodwill gesture?
Jeremy Lee - 23/06/2008
That's a neat idea although sadly the money will never get there given that it's now a totalitarian regime. I'm sure that the MDC would be a worthy recipient.
Awalla Fa'Shagba - 23/06/2008
Naughty. Indeed greedy. Surely a head will roll.
David Llewelyn-Jones - 23/06/2008
quite negligent
Jeremy Lee - 23/06/2008
Is this what's called 'helping refugees'? http://www.brandrepublic.com/News/821270/Sorrell-Freud-help-refugees/ ?
Ed Kemp - 23/06/2008
disgusting
Gellan Watt - 23/06/2008
Incredibly negligent. And no exuse. Sorrel should surely know who he's working with and for...? Surely this is an investment that should have been dumped BEFORE it went public! It can't always be about the money.
Caroline Barker - 23/06/2008
Regarding 'helping refugees', its a shame that the sorrell/freud deal won't help the people of Zimbabwe who have fled their country in fear of persecution/death by Mugabe's army/supporters but are not officially recognised as refugees by their neighbouring countries such as South Africa. A real shame indeed.
Mr Cheese - 24/06/2008
WPP: 'Any relation Sharon?' Sharon Mugabe: 'To who?' WPP: 'Robert Mugabe...Tyrant, mass genocide, torture, murder etc etc' Sharon Mugabe: 'Oh him....Oh no no no, its a weird coincidence that i share that name and happen to be doing his advertising campaign! I never thought of that' WPP: 'You are sure about that Sharon Mugabe?' Sharon Mugabe: 'Yep, really sure....look at all this money we have for you anyway!' WPP: 'MONEY! YAY!'
Gordon Macmillan - 24/06/2008
To be fair WPP did not buy the company from her. She arrived later and bought it.
Jeremy Lee - 24/06/2008
Apparently there's a bloke in Korea called Gary Jong Il is after an agency. He's legit too
Sarah Britten - 25/06/2008
If you scroll quite far down the page on this link: http://www.zimdaily.com/news/wpp27.5071.html you will see a response from Y&R. Apparently they are looking to sell their share in Imago.