Observed Signal · May 21, 2026 · Leadership Commentary · Source: Adweek · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Negative
Publicis Exec Warns AI May Erase Women Leaders
Carla Serrano, chief strategy officer at Publicis Groupe and the architect behind major deals including the group's $2.2 billion LiveRamp acquisition, warned at the New York Women in Communications Matrix Awards that women are being gradually erased from leadership as the industry shifts toward AI and tech investments. Serrano cited recent investor and client presentations dominated by white men as evidence of a creeping problem. The remarks highlight concerns about diversity in senior roles amid large-scale M&A and AI strategy decisions at major advertising holding companies.
Signals a senior Publicis executive warning that AI and tech-driven strategic shifts (including major M&A like the LiveRamp deal) may exacerbate loss of women in leadership—an organizational and governance risk for agencies and holding companies.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Carla Serrano is Chief Strategy Officer at Publicis Groupe.
- Serrano played a leading role in Publicis’ recent $2.2 billion acquisition of LiveRamp.
- Serrano spoke at the New York Women in Communications Matrix Awards, where she was honored.
- She reported observing an investor day presentation delivered by six white men and a client pitch to eight top client executives who were all white men.
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mappedRelated Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
Agencies Rethink Ownership of Agentic AI and Data
At Programmatic IO in New York, agency leaders debated the future of data and AI tool ownership. Executives from S4 Capital, Horizon Media, Dentsu, and WPP agreed that agencies should avoid owning client data and AI models to maintain neutrality and avoid conflicts of interest. They highlighted a shift from FTE-based compensation to outcome-based pricing and licensing AI tools to clients. The panel also discussed AI's impact on DSPs, with WPP's McAndrew noting a move toward agent-to-agent interactions and increased supply-chain compression. Sorrell warned of Big Tech platforms like Meta becoming end-to-end threats, pushing agencies to become validators. The discussion reflects a broader industry trend away from data ownership, contrasting with Publicis's acquisition of LiveRamp.
Publicis CEO: Stop AI overpromising at Cannes
Publicis Groupe CEO Arthur Sadoun is using the Cannes Lions festival to push back against what he calls an industry-wide trend of overpromising AI in new-business pitches and pairing ambitious AI claims with unsustainably aggressive commercial offers. Publicis will run more than 60 private client sessions and a flagship Chatham House session for about 350 clients and 70 investors showcasing case studies that emphasize measurable business results, not demos. Sadoun highlighted identity and technology gains but warned that change management and unrealistic pitch economics are driving a race to the bottom and job cuts. Publicis also released a deliberately over-the-top AI-generated film to parody inflated AI promises and underline its message that AI must be paired with people and sustainable investment to deliver scaled outcomes.
Ricola brings back 'Who invented it' campaign in Germany
Swiss herbal candy maker Ricola is reviving its iconic slogan "Who invented it?" in Germany, following its reintroduction in Switzerland in September. The new campaign, created by lead agency Jung von Matt (Zurich), features a young supermarket customer who doesn't recognize the famous question, playing on generational disconnect with dry Swiss humor. The spot introduces a new mascot, a marmot named Ric. The campaign will run across moving image, social media (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok), and retail (dm), with planned 200 million contacts by end of December. It is part of a long-term communication platform, with further brand positioning planned for 2027. Jung von Matt regained the Ricola account in 2021 after losing it to Publicis in 2018.
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