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News highlights

WPP announces 2008 Preliminary Results

Billings up over 16% to £36.9 billion
Revenue up almost 21% to £7.5 billion
Constant currency revenue up 9%
Like-for-like revenue up almost 3%
Headline operating margin 15% against target of 15.3%, including TNS
Headline operating profit before interest and tax up over 20% to £1.1billion
Headline profit before tax up over 18% to £968 million
Diluted headline earnings per share up over 21% at 55.5p

Google and WPP Marketing Research Awards Program Bestows 11 Grants

Eleven research awards have been granted to universities under the auspices of the Google and WPP Marketing Research Awards Program. The supported projects represent the first round of awards in the three-year program that will see WPP and Google commit up to $4.6 million to support research into how online media influences consumer behaviour, attitudes and decision making. Funding for the supported projects will be released in this month. Information on the awards program is available at research.google.com/university.

New offers

BMRB Consumer Confidence Tracker

In response to Client requests for Consumer Confidence data, BMRB has been running a Tracker on their GB Online Omnibus to 1000 adults aged 16-64 every month. The questions cover consumer's perceptions of their own financial/job security, their view of the value of their property and whether they will be spending on high ticket items in the future. This survey has been used quite extensively by BMRB and Millward Brown and has enabled BMRB Omnibus to secure some further Tracking studies for the Online Omnibus. This data is available to all WPP companies for FREE if it helps win business and can give clients some added value. Go to www.bmrb.co.uk or to download the full tables, contact bob.salmons@bmrb.co.uk.

New business

Ogilvy Beijing wins GSK

Mindshare global wins Intercontinental Hotels Group

Grey NY wins Diageo Ketel One

Awards, Winners, Movers & Shakers

Mindshare scoops Advertising Age Global Media Agency of the Year

WPP's global newspaper, The WIRE, was voted number 1 out of 400 entries at the international LACP Awards in the US

New business enquiries

Are you looking for an advertising or marketing services partner? WPP can help point you in the right direction - find out how.

Embracing Change, Realizing Dreams

By Ogilvy Group China

Senior citizens in China's biggest cities are far more wired-up than previously thought, spending more on telecoms than they do on medical expenses, according to a new survey from Ogilvy. The study from Ogilvy & Mather Greater China is designed to help brands understand the spending power of a demographic with a combined annual income of up to Rmb 400 million (US$58 billion). Contact:
sarah.guldin@ogilvy.com.

Survive, Exploit, Disrupt:
Action Guidelines for Marketing in a Recession

By Peter Steidl, Mindshare Melbourne

During a recession too much time can be spent trying to guess what impact the recession might have and constantly updating plans and projections. This book explores the drivers of change during a recession, helps companies identify whether they should adopt a Survivor, Exploiter, or Disrupter strategy, and arms them with the methodologies, tools and concepts that give them the best chance of realising it.

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