Equal-rights activists have criticised an exclusive club made up of Sydney’s elite after an image of a meeting was shared on social media.
GroupM Director Timothy Whitfield posted the photo with eight other influential media men at a drinks at the Glenmore Hotel in The Rocks.
The shot was titled ‘Gentleman’s Gin Club’ and posted through Mr Whitfield’s Facebook page, which has now been deleted.
In responding to angry comments accusing the group of excluding women, Mr Whitfield described himself as a ‘HUGE feminist’.
Equal-rights activists have criticised an exclusive club made up of Sydney’s elite after an image of a meeting was shared on social media
In responding to angry comments accusing the group of excluding women, Mr Whitfield described himself as a ‘HUGE feminist’
The ‘Gentleman’s Gin Club’ is made up of nine men, including Mr Whitfield.
Director at RadiumOne Adam Furness, PubMaric manager Peter Barry, SpotX manager Christopher Blok, Sizmek manager Imran Masood, Celtra director Peter Bray, former Amobee official Matt Hunt, ComScore sales boss Adam Natiq and Cadreon director Patrick Darcy were also in the group.
The post appeared on August 5 and attracted comments suggesting the group was excluding women.
‘Yeah guys, does it have to be a gentleman’s club? I love gin! Would be happy to join you guys next time.’ a woman replied to the post.
Mr Whitfield responded to the woman, saying he was a ‘HUGE feminist’ and says he believes in diversity in ‘all types.’
Mr Whitfield (pictured) responded to the woman, saying he was a ‘HUGE feminist’ and says he believes in diversity in ‘all types.
‘I hear your point but this was a Gent’s club by design. I think that Gender diversity issues arise when an event is supposed to be 50/50 by design but ends up being skewed to just blokes or just women,’ Mr Whitfield said.
‘I’m a HUGE feminist as I have a 19 yo daughter and after living in Sweden for many years I TRUELY believe in diversity of all types.’
‘But I would expect to see women in women’s groups like (WID, Women in Media etc) and I would expect to see men in mens clubs. Nothing wrong with that. Make sense?’
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Whitfield for comment.
Mr Furness told Mumbrella there were no plans for the group to meet again.
The woman commenting on Mr Whitfield’s post also said her initial comment was tongue-in-cheek but that it was an important issue to discuss.
‘It does raise the point of why men’s only events are even necessary at a point in time where we are all so focused on diversity,’ she told Mumbrella.