WPP reported third quarter revenue grew 5% on a like-for-like basis to around $4.3B, although PR and public affairs continued to lag other operations and fell 0.9% to $371M in a "weak quarter" for the segment.

WPP said strong gains in the U.S., continental Europe and Latin America boosted the Q3 performance as its advertising/media (+6.6% to $1.8), branding/healthcare/specialty (+5.7% to $1.3B) and data investment management (+3.6% to $997M) all outpaced PR/PA.

Through the first three quarters, WPP's PA/PR units are down 2.7% on a like-for-like basis. The company, which owns Burson-Marsteller, Ogilvy PR, Hill+Knowlton and Glover Park Group, among other PR/PA operations, said the performance was "less worse" than the first half and showed positive gains in Asia Pacific and Africa.

By region, North American revenues overall were up 4.6% to $1.5B, while U.K. revenue climbed 8.1% to $569M and western continental Europe advanced 2.6% to $952M.