ICM Partners Accused of ‘Insane’ Culture That Tolerates

Hollywood expertise company ICM Partners was the topic of a blistering L.A. Times exposé on Wednesday by which 30 former and present staff detailed accusations of sexual harassment and office misconduct significantly towards feminine staff and other people of colour.

According to the people who spoke to the Times, ICM has tolerated what one former assistant known as an “insane” setting by which some staff have been harassed, bullied or subjected to different inappropriate habits.

Some incidents involving high brokers and managers have led to disciplinary motion, compensation packages and nondisclosure agreements, the Times reported.

In one reported case, a feminine finance government from exterior ICM accused company companion Steve Alexander of exposing himself to her in a automobile in 2016; Alexander, who was positioned on go away, has denied the accusation. In one other incident, a feminine actress shopper mentioned agent Kevin Hussey made undesirable advances to her in a resort foyer in 2017. According to the Times, Hussey apologized to the actress — who was reassigned to feminine brokers.

Representatives for ICM didn’t instantly return a request for remark, although a rep did inform the Times that ICM “does not tolerate harassment, bullying or other inappropriate conduct. HR investigates all reports received and addresses each with appropriate disciplinary measures up to and including dismissal.”

In addition to sexual misconduct, the Times story detailed accusations of a tradition of abusive habits by high brokers and executives towards junior staffers, significantly ladies. According to the Times, companion Carter Cohn was reprimanded after loudly berating a feminine companion so intensely that she cried within the restroom.

In addition, the paper detailed HR complaints involving disrespectful and derogatory feedback made by SVP of company communications Brad Turell and music agent Mitch Blackman.

“This is not who I am, but if anyone feels that I was disrespectful or derogatory at any time, I sincerely apologize,” Turell mentioned in an announcement to the Times. According to the paper, Blackman acquired disciplinary motion following the HR grievance involving his habits.

According to the Times, ICM additionally raised hackles after human assets execs requested Black help staffers to pose as more-senior agent-trainees in a 2019 video shoot in an obvious try to spice up an look of range that didn’t match actuality.

In an announcement after the Times piece was revealed, ICM responded with this assertion: “Neither we nor our company are perfect; no one is. But in a challenging, competitive, and labor-intensive industry that demands much of its participants, we feel privileged to enjoy a safe and encouraging environment, fair and abundant opportunities, and the respect and support of all colleagues of all genders. With them, we continue to be engaged in a concerted effort towards a better and more equitable culture that will have broad, deep and longstanding effects on our peers and, most importantly, our clients.”