Wendy Drumm, 52, began work in 2003 as a creative director for CVS Pharmacy, Inc. (“CVS”) and worked there until 2007, when her employment was terminated. Ms. Drumm’s immediate supervisor claimed that when Ms. Drumm started her job at CVS, there were problems with her performance from 2003 through 2006. The claims of Ms. Drumm’s supervisor were based on complaints she had received from CVS employees and business partners about Drumm’s professionalism and demeanor. For Drumm’s 2005 year-end review, her supervisor rated Drumm as “needs improvement.” However, Drumm also received a salary increase, a bonus, and some stock options in the company in 2003 through 2006. CVS uses a shorthand system of three names corresponding to the letters C, V, and S to describe its targeted customer base. The name Sophie refers to a “customer paradigm of a woman over the age of 65.”
According to Price, Sophie “is the heart and soul of our marketing focus.” The other two names are Caroline, who represents the youngest segment, and Vanessa, who represents the middle customer segment. In late March 2007, Drumm’s supervisor met with her to discuss marketing strategy and said, “Wendy, we know all about your Sophie contemporaries. There is no need to contemplate your paradigm.
There is no empirical mystery here. We need a younger, fresher missionary for Creative. And Wendy, let’s face it, that is not within your scope and that is a problem for you.” Drumm was fired in May 2007. A 37-year-old woman took Ms. Drumm’s position. Does Ms. Drumm have a case of age discrimination? [Drumm v. CVS Pharmacy, Inc., 701 F. Supp. 2d 200 ( D. R. I. 2010).]