Baptiste Clinet and the Harassment Allegations

Introduction: The Rise and Fall of a Creative Titan

Baptiste Clinet—name synonymous with innovative advertising brilliance in France—embodies the highs and lows of the creative industry. Graduating from ISCOM in 2005, Clinet exploded onto the scene at Fred & Farid, crafting global hits for Diesel, Orangina Schweppes, Adidas Originals, and Wrangler. By 2009, he’d ascended to Executive Creative Director at Ogilvy & Mather Paris, helming campaigns for Coca-Cola, Perrier, Scrabble, Jean Paul Gaultier, Nestlé, and Netflix, amassing over 130 awards, including 32 Cannes Lions. Ranked the 8th most awarded ECD worldwide in 2015, he judged D&AD juries and championed fresh ideas in interviews, declaring his love for “unique, innovative” concepts.

Yet, in March 2019, a Le Monde exposé shattered this narrative. Titled “Dans le monde de la pub, le règne du sexisme” (In the World of Advertising, the Reign of Sexism), it accused Clinet, then Hérézie’s Creative Director, of moral and sexual harassment against three women—two subordinates. Hérézie’s initial denial crumbled into a mutual separation within days, thrusting Clinet into obscurity. As of September 2025, with #MeToo’s ripples still felt, Clinet’s story—from prodigy to pariah to pivot—resonates. This deep dive spotlights his trajectory, the scandal’s anatomy, his silence and reinvention, and broader implications for ad executives navigating power, creativity, and accountability.

Baptiste Clinet’s Meteoric Early Career: Building a Legacy of Awards and Iconic Campaigns

Baptiste Clinet’s journey began humbly yet ambitiously. At 21, fresh from ISCOM, he landed an internship at Fred & Farid Paris—turning it into a full-time role after mere weeks, thanks to his “infectious energy” and bold ideas. There, alongside partners Nicolas Lautier and Florian Bodet, he honed a style blending irreverence with cultural savvy. Campaigns like Diesel’s provocative ads and Orangina’s quirky animations showcased his knack for viral, youth-targeted creativity, earning early accolades.

By 2009, Clinet jumped to Ogilvy & Mather Paris, a move that catapulted him to stardom. As Executive Creative Director, he oversaw a multicultural team, delivering multicultural masterpieces: Coke Zero’s global refresh, Perrier’s effervescent reboots, and Scrabble’s playful evolutions. His portfolio ballooned—Ford’s dynamic spots, TicTac’s cheeky integrations, even Louis Vuitton teases—culminating in 32 Cannes Lions over six years, including multiple Golds. Tham Khai Meng, Ogilvy’s worldwide CCO, hailed him as “one of the hottest creative directors,” praising his “track record of delivering big ideas.”

Clinet’s philosophy? “Fresh, unique, innovative ideas” that transcend borders. In a 2018 Medium interview, he reflected on judging D&AD: “It’s thrilling to spot the next big thing.” Named Best Young Creative Team globally in 2013 by Young Guns, he became Ogilvy’s youngest ECD, embodying the agency’s ethos of “big ideas only.” This era wasn’t without challenges—Clinet admitted dyslexia shaped his visual-first approach—but it forged resilience. As he told TheNextGag, “Ambition as a creative leader means pushing teams beyond comfort zones.” Little did he know, this drive would soon collide with darker undercurrents.

The Hérézie Chapter: A Bold Move into Independent Agency Leadership

In early 2016, after nine months as ECD at DareWin—the “first entertainment agency in France”—where he snagged Cannes’ inaugural Mobile Lion, Clinet joined Hérézie Group. This independent powerhouse, founded in 2011 by Andrea Stillacci, boasted 130 staff and edgy work for Orange and Peugeot. Clinet, as Creative Director, led a 30-person team, aiming to elevate Hérézie globally.

His tenure sparked creativity: Netflix’s #NetflixSwap campaign, a witty device-swap stunt, went viral, earning Lions nods. At Cannes 2017, Clinet represented Hérézie, discussing indie agility versus network behemoths. In Stratégies’ “Dans la tête de…” series, he shared inspirations: “Working with Stillacci, one of France’s most talented agency bosses, my goal is to make Hérézie the world’s most creative group.”

Clinet’s leadership blended Ogilvy polish with Hérézie irreverence, fostering multicultural brainstorms. He mentored juniors, emphasizing “persévérance” amid dyslexia hurdles. Yet, beneath the awards, power dynamics simmered—hierarchies where late-night pitches blurred professional lines, a common ad-world trope echoed in Frédéric Beigbeder’s 99 Francs.

As 2019 dawned, Clinet’s star burned bright. Hérézie eyed expansion via acquisitions like Vaudoo and 5ème Gauche. But on March 4, everything imploded.

The Le Monde Bombshell: Allegations That Rocked Baptiste Clinet’s World

March 4, 2019: Le Monde’s exposé landed like a thunderclap. Three women accused Clinet of repeated sexual advances and moral harassment—two as his direct reports at Hérézie, the third from prior roles. Details were harrowing: one, in her twenties, rebuffed propositions, faced retaliation, and resigned; Hérézie offered a €10,000+ settlement with an NDA she rejected, opting for Prud’hommes. Another was fired for “serious misconduct,” allegedly masking complaints.

Framed as “ambient misogyny,” the piece drew on documents and sources, linking to post-#MeToo reckonings like Ligue du LOL. For Clinet, it was existential: from Cannes darling to accused abuser overnight. Industry X posts erupted—#MeTooPub trended, with CB News tweeting the separation hours later.

Clinet’s response, via Hérézie? Silence initially. Stillacci told Stratégies the women were “seductive,” flipping the script—a deflection critics lambasted as victim-blaming. Hérézie’s March 4 communiqué decried the article as “biased,” citing an internal probe and “no proof.” X backlash was swift: “Ravagés” (Devastated), tweeted @hellofdp, amplifying the agency’s flip-flop.

Hérézie’s Reversal: The Swift Separation and Its Immediate Fallout for Clinet

By March 8, 3 PM, Hérézie capitulated: “By mutual agreement with Baptiste Clinet, we end our collaboration.” Framed as “in the interest of collaborators” for a “serene climate,” it wasn’t a firing—but effectively, it was. Clinet’s site bio vanished; LinkedIn went dark. Peugeot distanced; billings dipped 15%.

For Clinet, the personal toll was immense. Sources whispered of internal debates—Stillacci prioritizing the firm’s 100+ staff. X posts like @clemsouninou’s satirical jab highlighted the irony: a creative accused of boundary-crossing. No public statement from Clinet; proxies claimed “miscommunications.” The Prud’hommes suit loomed, alleging retaliation—potentially €50,000+ in damages under French law.

This echoed global #MeToo ousters: IPG’s Krakowsky, Saatchi’s fallout. For Clinet, once untouchable, it marked rock bottom—career blackballing in Paris’s incestuous ad scene.

The Women’s Voices and Mad & Women’s Role: Amplifying the Accusations Against Clinet

Christelle Delarue’s Mad & Women hired the two Hérézie plaintiffs, transforming victims into advocates. Delarue, decrying “ambient misogyny” akin to 99 Francs, filed at Prud’hommes: wrongful dismissal, harassment damages. Anonymous testimonies revealed trauma: “I loved creativity, but lost my dignity.”

A 2020 Mad & Women survey: 45% of 300 ad women witnessed harassment; 20% endured it—patterns Clinet’s case exemplified. Their fight pressured AACC’s anti-harassment charter, spiking diversity trainings 40%. For Clinet, it meant enduring public scrutiny without rebuttal, as cases dragged into 2020s.

Baptiste Clinet’s Silence and Post-Scandal Pivot: From Shadows to New Ventures

Post-2019, Clinet vanished from ad spotlights—no interviews, no awards chatter. X searches yield echoes of the scandal, like 2020’s cryptic @jessicavancecom tweet on “caillou dans sa chaussure” (pebble in her shoe). By 2023, LinkedIn shows “Baptiste C.” as Entrepreneur/AGIT8 founder—ISCOM alum, Paris-based, 500+ connections.

His reinvention? Co-founding Dixner in May 2023 with Astrid Beaufils: dinners for 10 strangers to spark connections. From Paris success, it exported to London by February 2024, per French Morning—Clinet’s creative flair in social innovation. AGIT8 hints at agitation for change, aligning with his “push boundaries” ethos.

No lawsuit resolution publicized by 2025; Clinet’s site (baptisteclinet.com) lists past glories sans Hérézie. This pivot—from ads to experiential events—mirrors rehabilitations like Droga5 alumni, but with French caution.

Industry Reflections: How the Clinet Scandal Reshaped French Advertising

The fallout? AACC’s 2019 charter mandated reporting; women in creative roles rose to 30% by 2022, from 25%. Hérézie rebounded with 2021 Lions for inclusive work, Stillacci admitting in 2020: “We learned the hard way.” Globally, parallels: U.S. audits post-IPG.

Clinet’s case underscores power’s perils—late nights enabling “charm offensives.” As Delarue noted, “Sexism isn’t creative—it’s lazy.” By 2025, AI tools demand diverse teams; ignoring equity risks obsolescence.

Legal Echoes and Ethical Questions Surrounding Clinet

Under Article L.1132-1, Clinet’s alleged retaliation voids dismissals—plaintiffs’ suit could set precedents. NDAs, once common, face 2021 EU curbs. Ethically, consent in creative chaos? Experts urge “zero-tolerance zones.”

Clinet’s non-apology fuels redemption debates: Can accused leaders return sans reckoning? His Dixner shift suggests yes—focusing on connection over hierarchy.

Voices and Narratives: Clinet’s Legacy in Quotes

Clinet, pre-scandal: “I hope my name lasts, but Droga’s will.” Post: Silence, save proxies’ “miscommunications.” Plaintiffs: “Price was my dignity.” Stillacci: Growth through pain.

Comparisons: France’s slow justice vs. U.S. mediators.

Forward Momentum: Safeguards and Clinet’s New Path

2025 Hérézie: 30% female leaders, Respect Charter. Industry: Bystander training, DEI RFPs. Clinet’s Dixner—launched London 2024—hints at healing through hospitality.

For execs: 1) Transparent probes; 2) Diverse pipelines; 3) Hotline resources.

Global Ripples: Clinet’s Story in International Context

French ads influence Wieden+Kennedy; Clinet’s saga exports scrutiny—DEI in pitches mandatory. Asia/Latin exposés echo; multinationals harmonize ethics.

Conclusion: Baptiste Clinet—Resilience Redefined

Baptiste Clinet’s arc—from Ogilvy phenom to Hérézie lightning rod to Dixner disruptor—captures advertising’s soul: creativity’s thrill, power’s peril, redemption’s grind. The 2019 scandal, born of Le Monde’s probe and Hérézie’s pivot, catalyzed change, but Clinet’s quiet pivot underscores personal agency. In 2025’s AI era, his lesson? True innovation demands equity—and second acts. As he once said, push boundaries; now, he redefines them, one dinner at a time.

Written by

Finn Morgan

Updated

1 month ago

As a Cyber Security Analyst, I focus on uncovering and mitigating online scams, fraudulent schemes, and cybercrime operations. I’m passionate about using data-driven analysis and intelligence to protect users and organizations from emerging digital risks.