Spivak Leverages Contract Clause To Jump JWT Ship

NEW YORK: Helayne Spivak, worldwide creative director at J. Walter Thompson, last Thursday took advantage of a financially attractive exit clause in her contract triggered by the departure of New York chief executive officer Susan Gianinno, who left Oct. 30.
The clause, which sources termed a “suicide pact,” stipulated that should Gianinno be fired, Spivak could resign from the agency within 30 days but be compensated for a certain length of time as if she had also been fired.
Chris Jones, chief executive officer of JWT Worldwide, would not discuss the terms of Spivak’s contract.