Bain closes in on $4bn takeover of WPP data firm Kantar July 2, 2019 Bain Capital has entered into exclusive discussions to buy a majority stake in WPP’s data analytics firm Kantar in a deal worth roughly $4bn (£3.2bn). Read more: WPP to sell stake in sports marketing firm Chime Communications The deal would bring to an end a lengthy auction process which has seen bids from a series [...]
WPP to sell stake in sports marketing firm Chime Communications June 30, 2019 Advertising group WPP is set to sell its stake in sports marketing agency Chime Communications in its latest move to slim down the business. WPP will sell its 25 per cent stake in Chime to US investment firm Providence Equity Partners, which holds the remaining 75 per cent, for £50m. Read more: WPP confirms sale [...]
WPP confirms sale of post-production house The Farm Group to US rival June 21, 2019 WPP has confirmed the sale of its TV and film post-production firm The Farm Group to LA-based rival Picture Shop. Read more: Sorrell poaches two former media executives with links to WPP for new venture S4 Capital The ad giant today said it has signed a deal to sell its 75 per cent stake in [...]
Sorrell’s S4 Capital to buy marketing firm Biztech as it ramps up global expansion June 21, 2019 Sir Martin Sorrell’s S4 Capital is set to snap up marketing tech firm Biztech in its latest bid to expand globally and take on traditional ad agencies. S4 Capital said Media Monks, its content division, has conditionally agreed a merger with the Melbourne-headquartered firm for an undisclosed sum. Read more: Sir Martin Sorrell: Traditional agency [...]
Sir Martin Sorrell: Traditional agency model is ‘not fit for purpose’ June 18, 2019 Former WPP boss Sir Martin Sorrell has launched yet another attack on his old firm, saying traditional ad agencies are “not fit for purpose” and must go private to survive. Speaking at the Cannes Lions festival today, Sorrell said the industry has to change if it is to adapt to increased competition and a new [...]
Sorrell poaches two media execs with links to WPP for his S4 Capital venture June 12, 2019 Sir Martin Sorrell has hired a former WPP executive for his new venture S4 Capital in the ad veteran’s latest broadside against his old firm. Scott Spirit, who was ousted by WPP just months after Sorrell’s abrupt departure last year, will join S4 Capital as chief growth officer and board member. Read more: S4 Capital [...]
Yorkshire Building Society taps WPP agency Mindshare for £6m media account May 29, 2019 Yorkshire Building Society has tapped WPP agency Mindshare for its media planning and buying account, the company said today. Read more: WPP suffers sales drop after ‘significant’ client losses Mindshare secured the contract, which will be worth roughly £6m annually over the next five years, after a five-month pitching process. “We are delighted to be [...]
S4 Capital boss Sir Martin Sorrell faces investor revolt over bumper pay packet May 19, 2019 Advertising veteran Sir Martin Sorrell could be faced with a shareholder revolt amid a backlash at his proposed pay packet at new firm S4 Capital. Shareholder advisory groups Glass Lewis and ISS have both issued notes urging investors to vote down the company’s long-term bonus scheme. Read more: S4 Capital continues to grow profits as [...]
The man who would be king: Why adland’s El Presidente has ‘zero fear’ of getting fired May 4, 2019 Looking back, Eduardo Maruri is glad he didn’t run for president. The Ecuadorian, now 52 years old, claims he had a good chance of being elected in his home country, but ultimately did not feel he was in a position to pull off the role. “You’re only president once, so you have to make sure [...]
S4 Capital continues to grow profits as it lands big-name client wins May 3, 2019 Sir Martin Sorrell’s advertising firm S4 Capital has posted another quarter of bumper revenue and profit growth as it looks to win over big clients with its digital-first approach. Read more: Sir Martin Sorrell was paid £140,000 by S4 Capital in 2018 The figures S4 Capital posted like-for-like revenue growth of 35 per cent to [...]