Key Stats
Revenue (2024): £14.74 billion
Market Cap: $4.2 billion (as of November 2025)
Employees: 108,000 worldwide
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
CEO: Cindy Rose (since September 2025)
WPP Plc ranks among the largest advertising and communications companies in the world. The company provides marketing services across advertising, media investment management, public relations, and data analytics through agencies like Ogilvy, GroupM, and Burson.
The holding company operates in more than 100 countries and serves clients including major global brands. WPP generates approximately 70% of its revenue from North America, the UK, and Western Europe. The company owns the world’s largest media buying operation through its GroupM division.
Martin Sorrell founded WPP in its current form in 1985 after acquiring Wire and Plastic Products, a small British basket manufacturer. Through aggressive acquisitions, WPP grew into an advertising powerhouse.
WPP History
1985
Martin Sorrell acquired a controlling stake in Wire and Plastic Products plc, a British wire basket manufacturer. He began transforming the company into a marketing services holding company.
1987
WPP completed its hostile takeover of J. Walter Thompson Group for $566 million. This acquisition included JWT, Hill and Knowlton, and MRB Group.
1989
WPP acquired Ogilvy Group for $864 million in another hostile takeover. The deal brought Ogilvy and Mather Worldwide into the WPP portfolio.
2000
WPP purchased Young and Rubicam Group for $5.7 billion. This made WPP the largest advertising company globally by billings and revenue.
2005
WPP acquired Grey Global Group, adding another major advertising network to its portfolio. The company continued expanding through digital acquisitions.
2008
WPP acquired Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS) for £1.6 billion. TNS joined the Kantar Group, making it the second-largest market research company worldwide.
2018
Martin Sorrell resigned as CEO after 33 years leading the company. Mark Read became the new CEO as WPP entered a period of restructuring.
2025
Cindy Rose became CEO in September 2025. WPP continues focusing on AI integration and digital transformation while streamlining operations.
WPP Co-founders
Martin Sorrell
British businessman who transformed WPP from a wire basket manufacturer into the world’s largest advertising company. He served as CEO from 1986 to 2018 and was knighted in 2000.
Preston Rabl
Stockbroker who partnered with Sorrell to acquire Wire and Plastic Products in 1985. Together they purchased a 27% controlling stake in the company for approximately £400,000.
WPP Revenue
WPP generated £14.74 billion in revenue during fiscal year 2024. This represents a slight decline from £14.85 billion the previous year. The integrated agencies segment contributes the largest share of revenue at approximately £12.6 billion.
WPP Competitors
WPP competes against major advertising holding companies for global accounts and talent. Publicis Groupe has emerged as a strong rival through data-driven acquisitions, while Omnicom Group recently acquired Interpublic Group to become the largest holding company.
| Company | Headquarters | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Omnicom Group | New York, USA | Advertising, media buying, PR |
| Publicis Groupe | Paris, France | Data-driven marketing, digital |
| Interpublic Group | New York, USA | Advertising, media services |
| Dentsu | Tokyo, Japan | Advertising, digital marketing |
| Havas | Paris, France | Creative, media, healthcare |
| Accenture Song | Dublin, Ireland | Digital experience, technology |
| S4 Capital | London, UK | Digital advertising, content |
| Stagwell | New York, USA | Digital transformation |
| BlueFocus | Beijing, China | PR, digital marketing |
| Cheil Worldwide | Seoul, South Korea | Advertising, digital content |
WPP Market Cap
WPP holds a market capitalization of approximately $4.2 billion as of November 2025. The company’s market value has declined from peaks above $25 billion in 2017 due to industry challenges and restructuring costs.
WPP Acquisitions
WPP built its advertising empire through aggressive acquisitions spanning four decades. Martin Sorrell pioneered the holding company model by purchasing established agencies and integrating them under a single corporate umbrella.
The 1987 acquisition of J. Walter Thompson for $566 million marked WPP’s first major deal. JWT was one of the oldest advertising agencies in the world, founded in 1864. This hostile takeover shocked the advertising industry and established Sorrell’s reputation as a dealmaker.
WPP followed this with the $864 million acquisition of Ogilvy Group in 1989. David Ogilvy, the company’s founder, publicly criticized the takeover. The deal brought Ogilvy and Mather, one of the most respected creative agencies, into the WPP portfolio alongside its research and direct marketing divisions.
Young and Rubicam joined WPP in 2000 for $5.7 billion. This purchase made WPP the largest advertising company globally and added agencies including Burson-Marsteller, Landor, and Wunderman to the group.
Grey Global Group became part of WPP in 2005, adding another major creative network. The company continued acquiring digital agencies including 24/7 Real Media in 2007 and AKQA in 2012 for $540 million.
Taylor Nelson Sofres joined WPP in 2008 for £1.6 billion, strengthening the Kantar research division. More recent acquisitions focused on digital capabilities and regional expansion. WPP sold its majority stake in Kantar to Bain Capital in 2019 for £3 billion to reduce debt and streamline operations. The company continues making selective acquisitions in commerce and technology services.
FAQs
What does WPP stand for?
WPP originally stood for Wire and Plastic Products, the British basket manufacturing company that Martin Sorrell acquired in 1985 as a vehicle for building his advertising empire.
Who founded WPP?
Martin Sorrell founded WPP in its current form in 1985. He served as CEO until 2018 and transformed the company from a basket manufacturer into the world’s largest advertising group.
What companies does WPP own?
WPP owns major agencies including Ogilvy, GroupM, VML, AKQA, Burson, Hogarth, and Landor. The company operates in advertising, media buying, public relations, and data analytics.
Where is WPP headquartered?
WPP is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. The company previously relocated its headquarters to Dublin in 2008 for tax purposes before returning to London in 2013.
How many employees work at WPP?
WPP employs approximately 108,000 people worldwide as of 2024. The workforce operates across more than 100 countries serving global clients in advertising and marketing services.