‘A challenging week’: GroupM reorg reshapes nearly half of workforce

What’s going on at GroupM?

GroupM North America is undergoing a major restructuring that will impact between 40% and 45% of its U.S. workforce, CEO Sharb Farjami told employees during a company-wide town hall on Friday, May 9, according to a recording obtained by ADWEEK.

• The affected staff are tied to a new internal unit: Media Management and Delivery (MMD), which consolidates investment, Nexus, and campaign reporting functions.
• A company spokesperson clarified that the figure refers to organizational shifts, not confirmed layoffs. However, internal messaging indicates some employees are departing the business.

While specifics on the number of layoffs remain undisclosed, employee assistance resources have been activated, suggesting a large number of exits.

Official statements and context

CEO Sharb Farjami:

• Addressed staff in a 2 p.m. ET all-hands, acknowledging “colleagues that have left our business” and emphasizing support for those affected.
• In a memo following the meeting, Farjami reiterated that changes are aimed at creating a “more unified GroupM” and enabling better client delivery in an AI-first media environment.

A leaked memo from global CEO Brian Lesser indicated that staff reductions were part of the effort to eliminate overlap and streamline delivery.

Impact on Canadian staff

It remains unclear if the workforce reduction at GroupM will affect Canadian employees. According to Wikipedia, the company employs hundreds of people across the country.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
• Can I be fired after a bad performance review in Ontario?
• What Albertans need to do if they’re fired after a bad performance review
• Fired after a bad performance review in B.C.: Employee rights

📺 WATCH: Everything You Need to Know About Mass Terminations

Lost Your Job? Get Help Now

📞 Contact Samfiru Tumarkin LLP: 1-855-821-5900 or request a consultation online.

Our experienced employment lawyers in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia (BC) have helped tens of thousands of non-unionized individuals resolve their workplace issues, including wrongful dismissals.

If you’ve lost your job at GroupM for any reason, don’t panic. We can review your situation, assess your legal options, and help you secure the compensation you’re legally entitled to.

Disclaimer: The materials above are provided as general information about the rights of non-unionized employees in Canada. It is NOT specific to any one company and should NOT be read as suggesting any improper conduct on the part of any specific employer, or a relationship between Samfiru Tumarkin LLP and a specific employer.