UPDATE: 8/3/16 11:03 A.M. Saatchi & Saatchi Executive Chairman Kevin Roberts will resign from his position, effective September 1, following his comments during a Business Insider interview regarding gender diversity in the ad industry. Roberts was already slated to retire in May 2017.
“When discussing with Business Insider evolving career priorities and new ways of work/life integration, I failed exceptionally fast,” Roberts said in a statement. “My miscommunication on a number of points has caused upset and offense, and for this I am sorry.”
His statement sharply contrasts with his comments on Friday, at which time he said “the [gender] debate is f****** over” and alleged that women don’t aspire to be leaders.