WPP plc

For other uses, see WPP.

WPP plc
Company typePublic
LSE: WPP
NYSE: WPP
FTSE 100 Component
ISINJE00B8KF9B49 Edit this on Wikidata
Industry
Founded1971; 53 years ago (1971)
(Wire and Plastic Products plc)
1985
(Sorrell acquisition and entry into advertising)
Founders
(as an advertising company)
HeadquartersLondon, England, UK
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Services
  • Integrated networks
  • media
  • data and insights
  • public relations and public affairs
  • brand consulting
  • production
  • health and wellness[1]
RevenueIncrease £14.8 billion (2023)[2]
Decrease £531.0 million (2023)[2]
Decrease £197.2 million (2023)[2]
Number of employees
115,000 (2024)[3]
Subsidiaries
Websitewww.wpp.com

WPP plc is a British multinational communications, advertising, public relations, technology, and commerce holding company headquartered in London, England. It is the world's largest advertising company, as of 2023.[4] WPP plc owns many companies, which include advertising, public relations, media, and market research networks such as AKQA, BCW, CMI Media Group, Essence Global, Finsbury, Grey, Hill & Knowlton, Mindshare, Ogilvy, Wavemaker, and VML. It is one of the "Big Four" agency companies, alongside Publicis, The Interpublic Group of Companies, and Omnicom Group.[5] WPP has a primary listing on the London Stock Exchange, and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 Index.[6]

On 14 April 2018, Martin Sorrell retired 33 years after founding the company, following allegations of bullying and sexual indescretions,[7][8] and Roberto Quarta was appointed chairman.[9] Mark Read was appointed CEO in September 2018.[10]

  1. ^ "Our companies". WPP plc. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  2. ^ a b c "Preliminary Results 2023" (PDF). WPP plc. Retrieved 22 February 2024.
  3. ^ "About us". WPP. Retrieved 12 February 2024.
  4. ^ "The world's biggest ad agency is going all in on AI with Nvidia's help". CNN. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
  5. ^ Elliott, Stuart (31 March 2002). "Advertising's Big Four: It's Their World Now". The New York Times.
  6. ^ "WPP". London Stock Exchange. Retrieved 17 September 2019.
  7. ^ Goodley, Simon; Davies, Rob (11 June 2018). "Martin Sorrell's WPP exit came amid bullying and sex worker allegations". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  8. ^ "Martin Sorrell's downfall: why the ad king left WPP". Financial Times. 11 June 2018. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  9. ^ "WPP CEO Sorrell Quits After Three Decades at Top of Ad World". Bloomberg.com. 14 April 2018. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
  10. ^ Holton, Kate (3 September 2018). "Ad giant WPP names Read as CEO for post-Sorrell era". Reuters.