Saatchi CEO does enjoy his Thai massages
These are tough times. Every day seems to bring more grim news to agency land. Thankfully, those at the top are showing their solidarity with the troops. Well, sorta. On his BNET blog, my former colleague Jim Edwards points out that Saatchi & Saatchi worldwide CEO and sisomo advocate Kevin Roberts blogged about his recent extravagant vacation at a Thai resort. K.R. isn't averse to Internet oversharing, raving about his "classic cleansing" and daily massages, including his first facial. Jim points out that the resort charges a sweet $615 per night. But let's be real here. Times are tough, but agency CEOs, particularly at top-of-the-line shops like Saatchi, are paid handsomely. How handsomely? The Publicis Groupe 2007 annual report says K.R. got $3 million in lovemarks in 2007. For that kind of coin, $615 a night at a Thai resort seems pretty reasonable. |
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December 9, 2008 in Kevin Roberts, Morrissey, Saatchi & Saatchi | Permalink |
Comments
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I wonder if he takes off his black T-shirt for his Thai massage?
Posted by: Ex-Saatchite | Dec 9, 2008 11:49:34 AM
somewhere, quietly, Lehman Brother's CEO blogs about his own Thai vacation ...
Posted by: ana | Dec 9, 2008 12:00:12 PM
No doubt a happy ending for Kevin
Posted by: Sisomoko | Dec 9, 2008 12:41:38 PM
Hey Brian,
Thanks for picking up the item.
Posted by: Jim Edwards | Dec 9, 2008 12:42:13 PM
This is getting a little silly...
Should Roberts step down and give the 3 million back? Wait, then all the clients he brought in and works with would leave saatchi and their offices would be forced to lay off hundreds...
Wait, if we're all dems (or socialists) why don't we have Roberts live on 65k a year and redistribute the rest of his salary!... Uh oh, then Roberts would have no motivation to work hard and his clients would leave and S&S would lay people off.
Wait, i've got it, he makes money for doing his job well, S&S is a healthy company providing employment for thousands and then he spends money, adding flow to the world economy.
Honestly, you people are ridiculous.
Posted by: Robert | Dec 9, 2008 12:53:45 PM
No Robert, you are ridiculous.
The point of the article that seems clear to all us "socialists" is that this is merely a matter of taste. While people are being laid off - and feel very fearful about their immediate future to say the least - there is a person who blogs about his exuberant vacations.
Of course that people should not be equally compensated for their work. And of course that some people are making more money than others because of their skill and knowledge. But letting everyone know about it at the wrong time is slightly disrespectful, self-centered, and crass.
Posted by: Ana Andjelic | Dec 9, 2008 1:54:46 PM
it's a shame that roberts is so insensitive to what the "troops" are going through these days. hopefully his clients will take notice of how he lives his life and decides if this is really the kind of agency partner they want. clearly he is someone who would have a hard time relating to anyone who shops at jc penny.
Posted by: pete shotton | Dec 9, 2008 8:19:39 PM
What a waste of money. Just got back from Thailand and there is no need to spend that much on a hotel.
The stupid farang is probably banging a different Katoey every night.
Posted by: TunaTacoGrande | Dec 10, 2008 10:45:10 AM
It just points out how out-of-touch he is. He obviously can't relate to middle class Americans. I want to know where his communications department got to? The CEO has a blog and no one is monitoring it to make he doesn't shoot the whole company in the foot? There's a simple way to prevent this kind of bad press.
Posted by: Tricina | Dec 10, 2008 12:33:40 PM
