Stan Richards, 88-year-old founder and CEO of The Richards Group, tendered his resignation on Thursday (10/15) after clients including Motel 6, Home Depot, Keurig Dr Pepper and Cracker Barrel ended their longstanding ties to the agency due to a racist remark he made during a creative meeting. The session was held to discuss ideas for Motel 6; Richards reportedly objected to one concept because “it’s too Black.”
Richards issued a statement explaining that he misspoke while trying to say that the idea wasn’t multiculturally inclusive enough. He apologized and expressed deep regret, acknowledging that his words were hurtful and offensive.
Succeeding Richards in terms of overseeing all agency operations is principal/creative director Glenn Dady. A statement from Dady on The Richards Group website read: “In the over four decades I have had the privilege of working at The Richards Group, the agency has never been party to nor tolerated racism in any form. We exist to endear brands to all people. Our brand has been tarnished. Like all businesses and organizations, we have a lot of work to do to further societal change. As the person now responsible for all the operations of The Richards Group going forward, I commit to doing everything in my power to stay focused on that goal.
“We understand and regret,” continued Dady, “the pain and concerns of all those who were deeply troubled by the words our founder spoke. He can’t take them back. We can only ask for forgiveness and promise to learn and be better. We ask our many friends for understanding and prayers as we move forward.”
Part of moving forward entails six key measures which The Richards Group is implementing. The agency has pledged to:
- Create a new position to influence agency decisions regarding diversity, equity and inclusion
- Execute a formal commitment to specific representation across all disciplines and leadership
- Audit current policies to ensure that they are equitable to all employees
- Conduct bias training for every one of our employees
- Review all current work to ensure that it is culturally relevant
- And commit to tracking our progress
At one point, Stan Richards was named one of The Wall Street Journal’s “Giants of Our Time” in advertising. He’s won virtually every major creative award in the world of advertising. In 1999 he was inducted into the Art Directors Hall of Fame, where he joined such luminaries as Walt Disney, Norman Rockwell and Andy Warhol.
“Heretic” and “Maria” Set As Red Carpet Premieres At AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) has announced that Heretic, the psychological thriller starring Hugh Grant, and Maria, based on the life of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, will round out the Red Carpet Premieres section at this year’s AFI Fest. The Heretic Gala Screening will take place on Thursday, October 24, and the Maria Gala Screening will be held on Saturday, October 26. The complete Red Carpet Premieres section includes the world premieres of Music By John Williams, Robert Zemeckis’ Here, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and Clint Eastwood’s Juror #2. All Red Carpet Premieres will take place at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre. The full lineup for AFI Fest 2024 will be unveiled on October 1.
“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema--together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”
Heretic follows two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) who are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (portrayed by Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film is directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods and produced by Stacey Sher, Beck, Woods, Julia Glausi and Jeanette Volturno. The film will be released nationwide by A24 on November 8.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria presents a tumultuous and beautiful depiction of one of the world’s most renowned artists and reimagines the legendary soprano in her final days in Paris, as Callas (Jolie)... Read More