Ogilvy fires worldwide CCO Tham Khai Meng

Tham Khai Meng, chief creative officer of Ogilvy Group, has been fired following an internal investigation.

In a note to staff, worldwide CEO John Seifert said he had reviewed “serious” complaints made against Meng, who has been with the WPP firm since 1999.

“I found these complaints serious enough to appoint external legal counsel to investigate the matter,” Seifert told staff.

“After carefully reviewing the investigation’s findings with several of my partners, we concluded that Khai’s behavior was a clear breach of our company values and code of conduct. I have decided to terminate Khai’s employment with the company with immediate effect.”

Seifert said that each year Ogilvy employees are asked to read, authorise and commit to a code of conduct and said that Meng’s sacking was a moment to “reaffirm that no individual in this company is too senior or too important not to be held accountable for their actions.”

Meng was promoted to worldwide CCO and co-chairman in 2009 and was a well-known spokesman for the ad agency.