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A Dozen Leave Mediacom Aus after Ratings Misstatement

December 1 2014

A number of execs have left WPP agency Mediacom in Australia after the discovery that ratings figures for campaigns for two clients, Foxtel and KFC / Yum Brands, had been overstated - according to press reports.

Mark PejicAccording to www.mumbrella.com.au , Mediacom CEO Mark Pejic (pictured) says he has been 'open and transparent' with the clients affected, and there is no suggestion that figures were deliberately inflated to overcharge clients - nevertheless the publication understands that the clients were overcharged, that one member of staff has been fired and another suspended, and that a further eleven have resigned over the affair, including Head of Implementation Planning and Investment Jane Henderson.

External auditors have now been brought in. Foxtel says it uncovered the 'issues' as part of its audit process and is now 'working through them' with Mediacom and GroupM. Yum Brands CMO Nikki Lawson said she had been informed of the irregularities by Mediacom, and expects to hear more shortly, adding 'Things happen. Obviously we don't know the extent of what's happened yet, so we will wait and see what it's all about.'

Pejic said external auditors would be called in to review the accounts, and ensure the agency is 'running to global best practice, which I am sure we are'. He added: 'We have already put new procedures in place to ensure this isolated incident doesn't happen again. We are committed to being the most open and honest company in the industry.'

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.

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