Take it for what it’s worth. Speculation is leaking out about Julie Roehm’s quick departure from Wal-Mart. From Mediapost:
One source says that during the pitch process for the Wal-Mart account, a lot of “gratuitous gifts” changed hands, raising eyebrows inside the company. Wal-Mart has a very strict policy about gratuities. While many executives in the ad industry wouldn’t flinch at the worth of the things Roehm may have pocketed during the pitch process, Wal-Mart management felt otherwise.
In addition, almost immediately following the awarding of the account to DraftFCB, the agency took out a full-page advertisement in Creativity magazine touting the Cannes Lions Awards that depicted two lions mating, with the smug caption: “It’s good to be on top.”
This did not create a roar of approval at corporate headquarters. The copulating couple caused quite a buzz inside the company as executives questioned Roehm’s judgment, says a source.
I’m sure we’ll hear more on this, from sources both anonymous and not.
