For those of you who are unaware of the Julie Roehm story, er should I say saga. Let me catch you up to date, and start by saying, I've followed this from the beginning because like a good train wreck, you have to continue to watch.
Julie Roehm who was once named "Automotive Marketer of the Year" by Brandweek has found herself once again in the headlines. The two previous articles I've posted refer to the lawsuit that is just beginning, as well as the beginning details of an alleged juicy affair between her and Sean Womack, but let's back up and review for those of you who are unaware of the story.
Walmart put their $570 million account up for review in late December 2005 and hired Julie Roehm from Chrylser to oversee the account review. She officially signed with the company on January 12th, 2006 according to AdWeek. Then began a 1 year tour with all of the major advertising agencies across the country. But now, lets fast forward to December 2006. Julie Roehm is fired after Walmart accuses her of accepting gifts and inappropriately working with a vendor, as well as having an affair with a co-worker, which Walmart has strict policies on. These policies also include that you will not maintain contact with a vendor outside of the meeting rooms. However, back to Julie.
I won't go through the details of what happened because it appears that in a few months we will find out the truth. But what has came out so far includes car rides in Howard Draft's Aston-Martin, expensive dinners at NY hotspots such as Nobu, and an alleged affair with Sean Womack, the VP of Communications at Walmart. The account was awarded to Draft's agency, Draft FCB. However the plug was pulled once Walmart apparently received word that Roehm didn't follow proper policy when choosing the winner.
Julie Roehm who was once named "Automotive Marketer of the Year" by Brandweek has found herself once again in the headlines. The two previous articles I've posted refer to the lawsuit that is just beginning, as well as the beginning details of an alleged juicy affair between her and Sean Womack, but let's back up and review for those of you who are unaware of the story.
Walmart put their $570 million account up for review in late December 2005 and hired Julie Roehm from Chrylser to oversee the account review. She officially signed with the company on January 12th, 2006 according to AdWeek. Then began a 1 year tour with all of the major advertising agencies across the country. But now, lets fast forward to December 2006. Julie Roehm is fired after Walmart accuses her of accepting gifts and inappropriately working with a vendor, as well as having an affair with a co-worker, which Walmart has strict policies on. These policies also include that you will not maintain contact with a vendor outside of the meeting rooms. However, back to Julie.
I won't go through the details of what happened because it appears that in a few months we will find out the truth. But what has came out so far includes car rides in Howard Draft's Aston-Martin, expensive dinners at NY hotspots such as Nobu, and an alleged affair with Sean Womack, the VP of Communications at Walmart. The account was awarded to Draft's agency, Draft FCB. However the plug was pulled once Walmart apparently received word that Roehm didn't follow proper policy when choosing the winner.
I've been glued to this story since the beginning. I'm very intrigued by it all. Aside from the alleged adultery and breaking of the rules that Mrs. Roehm has been accused of, I think she is a brilliant marketer. She went on a cross-country advertising tour like a high school kid who tours universities before signing a letter of intent. Can you blame her? Drive an Aston Martin? Sure why not, give me the keys. Dinner at fancy restaurants on someone else's dime? Order me a few extra plates of your finest sushi and top shelf liquor.
She indeed broke some rules while going through an account review. Unfortunately she broke rules at America's most tightly ruled facility, and she's going through hell because of it. I would hire her as my CMO anyday. She broke some rules and will learn her lesson because of it but hey Julie, if you want to come to work for me then shoot me an email!
By the way, for those of you who don't know, Dodge was the original sponsor of the inagural "Lingerie Bowl" in 2004. They only pulled out because shareholders and board members cried out that it wasn't proper for them to be behind such an event. I can see why you wouldn't want to be the top sponsor of an event that is going to draw the eyeballs of 10+ Million men, especially when your slogan is "Grab life by the horns" and your main advertisements revolve around "Hemi's." Yeah, that probably wouldn't catch the attention of your target audience and sell a few cars.
Continue to check back on this story as I can't get enough and look forward to writing more of my opinions on it.
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