e.wire - the monthly news bulletin from WPP

	No. 108 - January/February 2008 www.wpp.com

Welcome to e.wire, WPP's public monthly round-up of news and initiatives from across our worldwide network. WPP people can also access the full version on the Group intranet. If you can't see this news bulletin properly, you can also view it here

News highlights

Added Value acquires innovation firm Cheskin in US
Added Value, WPP's brand development business, has acquired Cheskin, a US-based consulting firm which helps companies identify new markets, develop new products and services, and enhance brand experience. Cheskin has a strong presence in the technology sector, design strategy experience and in-depth understating of US Hispanic markets.

Yankelovich joins WPP and merges with Henley Centre HeadlightVision
Yankelovich Holdings, Inc. is to merge with Henley Centre HeadlightVision, WPP's consumer trends and futures research and consultancy business. Yankelovich, the leading US consumer trends and lifestyle research business, is renowned for the Yankelovich MONITOR®, the longest-running, most in-depth study of US consumer value and lifestyle trends. MONITOR predicts the forces shaping US consumer attitudes, values, lifestyles and behaviour and identifies breakthrough marketplace opportunities.

KMR acquires stake in Integrated Media Measurement, Inc. in the US
WPP's Kantar Media Research (KMR) has taken a minority stake in California-based Integrated Media Measurement, Inc. (IMMI), a leading provider of data and insight to media companies and advertisers.

Wunderman acquires multi-awarded interactive agency AGENDA in Asia
AGENDA claims to be the most awarded digital agency in Asia, winning 81 industry awards since 2002. It excels in online marketing strategy, creative, technology and analytics with extensive regional coverage and experience. AGENDA has launched 600+ websites around the world for Fortune 500 leaders, including Pepsi, Prudential, Citibank, Carrefour, Johnson & Johnson and Microsoft. With growing offices in Hong Kong, Beijing, Shanghai, Taiwan, and Kuala Lumpur, AGENDA will provide Wunderman with online strategy, web development and management, online advertising, online media and web analytics capabilities and resources for its global network clients across the region.

Hill & Knowlton acquires financial PR agency, Rikes Communications, in Hong Kong
Hill & Knowlton has acquired a majority stake in specialist PR firm Rikes Communications, based in Hong Kong. Rikes, founded in 2000 by Raymond Siu, specialises in financial communications and investor relations for Chinese companies as they go international. Longstanding clients of the firm include China Southern Airlines, Guangshen Railway and Huaneng Power.

New business

JWT Brazil wins Kraft

O&M US wins Second Harvest

Wunderman Paris wins Bourjois

New offers

Relaunch of JWT Employment Communications to JWT INSIDE
JWT Employment Communications has relaunched as JWT INSIDE. The company is an employee marketing services company providing employer branding services as well as communications planning and execution for all existing and prospective employees. The business is led by Jerry Touslee in North America and Pete Womersley in London.

People

David Roth to head The Store, WPP's global retail community, with Gwen Morrison promoted to CEO the America.

Masahisa Nakamura named Managing Director of The Brand Union's Japan office.

Paul Edwards now Chief Executive of Research International in the UK.

Awards

In China, Ogilvy and MindShare top agency reputation study

Marketing magazine in the UK names Landor 'Design Agency of the Year 2007'

Work in Progress: The Future of Print

With Internet penetration growing rapidly around the world, doomsayers have been predicting the death of the newspaper and other print media for the past decade. Add to the mix the expansion of cable programming, mobile media and a range of other new platforms, and you have a rapidly diminishing audience for print. Yet even in the most wired economies, people still subscribe to their favourite magazines and take leisure in the Sunday paper. Looking beyond the cries of doomsayers and weeding out the hyperbole from the real trends, what exactly does the future hold for print? This JWT trend report can be found at:

www.JWTIntelligence.com

Eighty Things To Watch in 2008

JWT NY has put together a list of 'Eighty Things to Watch in 2008', a compilation of people, products, places, services and shifts that will help to define the coming year.

The list, released by the trendspotting team, examines what will resonate with people and what will drive their thinking and behaviour.

Contact: ann.mack@jwt.com