THE CASTING COUCH IN THE GLARE OF THE SPOTLIGHT

Guidelines for Analyzing Cases Problem and Issue Identification 1. What are the central facts of the case? What assumptions are you making about these facts? 2. What is the major overriding issue in the case? What major question or issues does this case address that merits study at this point in the course? 3. What sub-issues or related issues are present in the case that merit consideration now? Analysis and Evaluation 1. Who are the stakeholders in the case and what are their stakes? What challenges, threats or opportunities are posed by these stakeholders? 2. What economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic responsibilities does the company have, and what is the nature and extent of these responsibilities? 3. If the case involves company actions, evaluate what the company did or did not do in handling the issue affecting it. Recommendations 1. What recommendations do you have for this case? If a company’s strategies or actions are involved, should the company have acted as it did? What action should the company take now? Why? Be as specific as possible. List several options as well as the pros and cons of each alternative. Be prepared to discuss why you eliminated those options you discarded and defend your chosen alternative. Mention and discuss any important implementation considerations. This last step is crucial because recommendations that cannot be implemented are worthless. THE CASTING COUCH IN THE GLARE OF THE SPOTLIGHT On Sunday October 8, 2017, the Weinstein Company fired its co-founder Harvey Weinstein after an investigation by the New York Times uncovered allegations that he had engaged in rampant sexual harassment and possibly assault and rape. Mr. Weinstein was a renowned movie producer who had shaped the future of the American film industry and moved in the rarified air of national politics as an accomplished fundraiser. Mr. Weinstein had that rare kind of industry power which could make or break a movie or an actresses’ career. Mr. Weinstein has not helped his on cause as he has swung wildly between his own contrition and attacking his alleged accusers. In an era of social media, these accusations have added fuel to the #Me Too movement which focuses the spotlight on sexual harassment and assault in Hollywood, the private sector and government. For his part Mr. Weinstein is quoted as denying many of the allegations as patently false. “Many” is an interesting choice of words as it has now come to light that there are over thirty female accusers, many of whom were young and propositioned with the lure of a role in one of his movies won many Oscars and made their leading ladies A-list stars in Hollywood. How did this objectionable behavior remain in the dark for over three decades? There was obviously complicity on the part of those around Mr. Weinstein who keep quiet to maintain their own careers and respective gravy trains. “Harvey Weinstein built his complicity machine out of the witting, the unwitting and those in between. He commanded enablers, silencers and spies, warning others who discovered his secrets to say nothing. He courted those who could provide the money or prestige to enhance his reputation as well as his power to intimidate.”1