WPP plc facts for kids
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| Public | |
| Traded as | LSE: WPP FTSE 100 Component |
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| Founded | 1971 (Wire and Plastic Products plc) 1985 (Sorrell acquisition and entry into advertising) |
| Founders |
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| Headquarters | London, England, UK |
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Area served
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Worldwide |
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Key people
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| Services |
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| Revenue |  £14,844.8 million (2023) |
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Operating income
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 £531.0 million (2023) |
| £197.2 million (2023) |
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Number of employees
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115,000 (2024) |
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WPP plc is a very large company based in London, England. It works in many areas like communications, advertising, and public relations. WPP is known as the world's biggest advertising company.
This company owns many other businesses around the world. These include famous names in advertising and public relations. Some of its well-known companies are AKQA, Grey, Ogilvy, and Mindshare. WPP is one of the "Big Four" advertising groups globally. It is listed on the London Stock Exchange.
In April 2018, its founder, Martin Sorrell, retired. Roberto Quarta is now the chairman. Mark Read is the company's CEO.
WPP's Journey: From Baskets to Big Ads
Early Days: Wire and Plastic Products
WPP started in 1971 as "Wire and Plastic Products plc". It made simple things like wire shopping baskets. This was its original business.
Becoming an Advertising Giant
In 1985, two people named Martin Sorrell and Preston Rabl bought a big part of the company. They wanted to use it to build a huge marketing business worldwide. This was the start of WPP's journey into advertising.
In 1986, WPP even owned a company that made teapots! But this part of the business later closed down.
Growing Through Buying Other Companies
From the 1980s, WPP began to grow by buying many other companies. This strategy helped it become very large.
Key Purchases in the 1980s and 1990s
- In 1987, WPP bought J. Walter Thompson for $566 million. This deal included other companies like Hill & Knowlton.
- In 1989, it bought Ogilvy Group for $864 million.
- Throughout the 1990s, WPP continued buying companies. These included firms in healthcare advertising and digital marketing.
Becoming the World's Largest Ad Company
In May 2000, WPP made its biggest purchase yet. It bought the United States-based Young & Rubicam Group for $5.7 billion. This was the largest advertising takeover at that time. This purchase made WPP the biggest advertising company in the world. It passed other big names like Omnicom Group.
Changes and Growth in the 2000s
WPP kept growing in the 2000s. It created WPP Digital to focus on online services. In 2008, it bought a market research company called Taylor Nelson Sofres. During a tough economic time in 2009, WPP reduced its staff.
Recent Acquisitions and Changes
- In 2012, WPP bought the digital advertising agency AKQA.
- In 2015, it bought a large part of Essence, another digital agency.
- In 2018, two of its public relations companies, Burson-Marsteller and Cohn & Wolfe, merged to form BCW.
- After Martin Sorrell retired in 2018, Mark Read became the new CEO.
- Mark Read started a plan to make WPP simpler and more focused. He merged several agencies, like J. Walter Thompson with Wunderman to create Wunderman Thompson.
- WPP also sold some parts of its business, including a big share of Kantar. This helped the company reduce its debt.
What WPP Does Today
WPP is a major holding company. This means it owns many different businesses. It works in areas like communications, creating experiences for customers, e-commerce, and technology.
Global Reach and Employees
WPP is based in London, England. It has about 115,000 employees. These employees work in its many businesses across more than 100 countries.
Key Companies WPP Owns
WPP owns many well-known companies in different fields:
- Advertising Agencies: Some of its famous advertising companies include Grey, Ogilvy, and VML.
- Digital Companies: AKQA is one of its digital agencies.
- Public Relations: Companies like Hill+Knowlton Strategies and BCW handle public relations.
- Media Management: GroupM, Mindshare, and Wavemaker help manage media investments for clients.
- Research and Consulting: WPP also has companies that do market research and offer business advice.
- Production: Hogarth Worldwide is a company that helps produce advertising content.
WPP also owns companies that help with brand consulting, like Superunion and Landor.
Images for kids
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WPP plc logo
