SAG-AFTRA Announces Escalation Of #StrikeBBH Campaign, Pickets Commercial Shoot

In a clear sign that its #StrikeBBH campaign has escalated to a new phase, SAG-AFTRA members are picketing outside a Brentwood residence this week, after learning that struck ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty, Inc. (BBH) is filming a commercial for their client Samsung at the location. The shoot continues through the weekend.

SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon and SAG-AFTRA Secretary-Treasurer and L.A. Local President Jane Austin addressed members and led chants directed at BBH. Until this point, the union had rallied outside BBH L.A. and BBH N.Y. offices and at the La Brea Tar Pits. BBH, which is the subject of an ongoing strike by SAG-AFTRA, has been signed to the union's Commercials Contracts for almost 20 years but claims the union agreement doesn't apply to them.

"This is now BBH's new normal until they honor their contract. Moving forward, they can expect our presence at their commercial shoots. Whenever BBH wants to shoot non-union, we'll be there because this is THE NEW NORMAL and we want them to know that we see you. I've said it before and I'll say it again: SAG-AFTRA is not going anywhere," said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris.

SAG-AFTRA National Executive Director David White adds: "Our determined and united membership successfully picketed BBH's shoot. The support of our growing activist network, which spans the industry, was instrumental in providing the information necessary for swift and effective action."

SAG-AFTRA members have been instructed not to accept any work for BBH, which is illegally attempting to abandon its union contract and evade its responsibility to always shoot union commercials, pay fair wages, contribute to performers' pension and health benefits, guarantee safe sets and commit to the responsible and respectful use of performers' images, voices and performances.

SAG-AFTRA represents approximately 160,000 actors, announcers, broadcast journalists, dancers, DJs, news writers, news editors, program hosts, puppeteers, recording artists, singers, stunt performers, voiceover artists and other entertainment and media professionals. SAG-AFTRA members are the faces and voices that entertain and inform America and the world. A proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO, SAG-AFTRA has national offices in Los Angeles and New York and local offices nationwide representing members working together to secure the strongest protections for entertainment and media artists into the 21st century and beyond. Visit SAG-AFTRA online at sagaftra.org.

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