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| Mark Read |
WPP reported a 6.7 percent rise in 2022 like-for-like revenues to $17.3B as clients continued to invest in communications, customer experience, commerce, data and technology.
CEO Mark Read said WPP entered 2023 in a strong financial position with good momentum from its business wins, which include Audible, Danone, Migros, SC Johnson, Nationwide and Verizon.
He sees many opportunities despite some macroeconomic challenges.
Read said the “continued need for major companies to build brands, sell products, reinvent and transform their business, understand their data, invest in technology and exploit the potential of AI remains, as does their need for modern partners who can help them navigate this new world,”
WPPs PR units BCW Global, Hill+Knowlton Strategies and FGS Global posted 8.2 percent growth for the year.
Read told O'Dwyers that PR, PA and strategic communications continue to increase in importance for brands and organisations.
"We’ve seen consistently strong demand for our talented people and leading services in this sector, which is reflected in the impressive growth of our agencies over the past year," he said. Both H&K and BCW had a strong year, as did the newly created FGS Global."
He also noted the "performance of FGS Global in the MergerMarket league tables where it led the M&A tables by some distance globally, and in the key regions."
Prosek Partners represents Nuveen as it acquires London-based Schroders, which relies on Brunswick Group for PR counsel, in a $13.5B deal.
Qualcomm has recruited Brett Simpson for the senior VP-IR slot at the San Diego-based wireless technology company.
Reevemark handles Eddie Bauer LLC as the retailer inks a Chapter 11 restructuring pact that has it conducting liquidation sales at its US and Canadian stores while working to find a buyer for either all of or part of the chain.
Prosek Partners hires FTI Consulting vet David Roady to build and deepen its relationships in the corporate sector, particularly with chief communications officers and C-suite executives.
Kekst CNC handles Crestview Partners as the private equity firm acquires Tailwind Hospitality, operator of food, beverage and retail concessions in non-hub and regional airports, from Palladin Consumer Retail Partners.
