Interpublic Receives Two Awards From Diversity Best Practices
NEW YORK, Jun 14, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Interpublic Group (NYSE: IPG) today announced that the company was recognized with two Diversity Best Practices Awards. Michael I. Roth, Chairman and CEO of Interpublic, received a 2011 CEO Diversity Leadership Award and Heide Gardner, SVP, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, was recognized with a Diversity Officer Leadership Award. Diversity Best Practices is the preeminent organization for diversity thought leadership in the corporate sector.
IPG is the only marketing communications holding company to have ever received this honor. Other 2011 honorees were Chief Executives and Chief Diversity Officers from Army and Air Force Exchange Service, CDW, KPMG LLP, MTV Networks and Toyota Financial Services.
The winners were selected by a review committee based on an extensive analysis of programs, policies, and factors such as the personal involvement of the CEO. The awards, which honor the winners for embedding diversity commitment and inclusion excellence throughout all levels of their companies, were presented at a Gala Dinner on June 8th at Columbia University in New York. The celebration included a forum which gave the recipients an opportunity to answer questions and share best practices in front of a live audience.
"It is our goal at Interpublic to be one of the world's most inclusive companies," said Michael I. Roth, Chairman and CEO of Interpublic. "We have begun this journey and have made some real progress toward our goal. But we know that diversity and inclusion must become a sustainable part of the fabric of our company. Moving forward, we must continue to innovate and persevere in order to continue moving the needle on this important issue.
"It is very humbling to receive this honor and to be in the company of the other CEOs and organizations who have been recognized. We are very proud that Heide Gardner, our company's Chief Diversity Officer, and the first CDO in the industry, was singled out by Diversity Best Practices as well. Heide has been a guiding force in our ongoing efforts to create real systemic change at our company. While we are pleased with these terrific honors, we also recognize that much work remains to be done and we are committed to staying the course," Roth concluded.
About Diversity Best Practices
Diversity Best Practices (DBP) (www.diversitybestpractices.com), based in New York, is the preeminent organization for diversity thought leaders to share best practices and develop innovative solutions for culture change. Through research, benchmarking, publications and events, DBP provides its corporate members with valued resources, information and strategies on how to implement, grow, measure and create best-in-class diversity programs. Diversity Best Practices is part of Working Mother Media, a division of Bonnier Corp.
About Interpublic
Diversity & Inclusion is a core element of IPG's business strategy. We aspire to be one of the world's most inclusive companies, channeling the full power of diversity for the growth and success of our clients and business partners, our people, the local communities in which we operate, and ultimately, our shareholders. Major global brands include Draftfcb, FutureBrand, GolinHarris International, HUGE, Initiative, Jack Morton Worldwide, Lowe + Partners, MAGNAGLOBAL, McCann Erickson, Momentum, MRM Worldwide, Octagon, R/GA, UM and Weber Shandwick. Leading domestic brands include Campbell Ewald; Campbell Mithun; Carmichael Lynch; Deutsch, a Lowe + Partners Company; Gotham Inc.; Hill Holliday; ID Media; Mullen and The Martin Agency. For more information, please visit www.interpublic.com.
SOURCE: Interpublic
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