On Oct. 14, a memo went out to employees of GroupM shop Mindshare that sent shockwaves through the agency and, within hours, the broader media industry.

Global CEO Nick Emery has been dismissed with immediate effect following, in GroupM’s own words, “a clear breach of the company’s code of conduct.”

The breach was not specified, however GroupM did confirm the dismissal and rationale to MiC. The agency declined a request to comment directly.

GroupM CEO Christian Juhl will assume the role on an interim basis until a successor for Emery is appointed. Emery, who is based in the U.K., is a founding member of the company, having been with the agency since 1997. He later moved into the global CEO position in 2012.

Juhl wrote in a statement that GroupM’s agencies strive for an “inclusive and respectful” culture. “Inappropriate and offensive behaviour is not tolerated in our company, and when we see any employee breach our code of conduct, we take swift action.”