Publicis Groupe's Diversity Data Shows Slow, Steady Progress

Publicis Groupe released the second batch of data tracking its U.S. workforce as part of the company's mission to diversify its talent base with more people of color, and while the progress has been slow, it's also been steady. Overall, there has been a 5.5% increase in diverse talent versus last year, bringing its American total to 32.7% for its 21,000+ workforce. While there has been improvement in the diversity of people of color at all career levels, the number in entry-level positions was up 5%, and mid-level positions up 8%, compared to 2020. Leadership remains non-diverse Leadership, however, remains a challenge, with 80.8% of its senior-level managers identifying as white, similar to 81.8% in June 2020. Black talent is the most notable progression over the past 12 months. There are now 2.4% Black leaders in senior-management roles, up from 1.9% a year prior. Black mid-level talent increased to 5.1% from 4.6% and entry-level rose to 9.2% from 8% in June 2020. Senior-level Asian workers in the U.S now represent 10.6% of the company, down slightly from 10.7% in June 2020. Mid-level Asian staff grew to 17.3% from 16.4% year-over-year, and entry-level Asian employees dropped to 11.9% from 13.8% over the past year. Click to enlarge Hispanic talent remained consistent across all ranks, with senior-level Hispanic employees now representing 4.6% of the company, up from 4.5%; mid-level reached 7.8% from 7.6%; and entry-level notched up to 10.9% from 10.3%. Those identifying with multiple races are more represented at 1.3% of senior-level management, up from 0.9% a year ago. Mid-level workers comprise 2.5% of the Groupe’s American talent base, up from 1.6% and entry-level stands at 3.6%, up from 2.7%. Native American people remain lacking in representation. Senior leaders are just 0.2%, 0.4% of mid-level, and 0.5% entry-level. A long road ahead Publicis Groupe knows these numbers need to be improved. “We are very aware that we have a long road ahead of us,” said Arthur Sadoun, chairman, CEO, Publicis Groupe. “When it comes to our Black and Hispanic talent in particular, we are still far from representing the full diversity of the U.S. population.” Sadoun adds these numbers were impacted by hiring freezes enacted during the pandemic, and in January, the company restarted a fuller hiring program to see 39.5% more Black employees joining Publicis in the U.S. than leaving it. “This is an encouraging sign, and the same is true to a smaller extent with Hispanic talent," he said. "We will be relentless in pushing even further, and faster, to build truly diverse teams across the U.S.” The company is showcasing the data during its second-annual “Pausing For Action” event this month focusing on systemic racism in advertising. The event is expanding from America to reach all 84,000 global staffers for the first day, with the second focused on U.S. and Canadian markets through sessions, celebrity speakers (such as ballerina Misty Copeland) and discussion panels. Arthur Sadoun Standing Together

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Publicis Groupe's Newest Diversity Data Reveals Small But Steady Progress

Leadership, however, remains a challenge

Leadership remains non-diverse

Larissa Faw

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Leadership remains non-diverse

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Larissa Faw