WPP acquires stake in PBN

6 Sep 2007

WPP announces that it has acquired a 49.9% stake in PBN Holdings, LLC, (“The PBN Company”) a leading international integrated strategic communications consultancy, specializing in Russia, Ukraine and CIS countries. The PBN Company will maintain its independent positioning.

Founded in 1983, The PBN Company has offices in Washington DC, London, Moscow, Kyiv and Riga and employs 115 people. The PBN Company serves major multinational companies such as BP, Bristol-Myers-Squibb, Enel, Merrill Lynch, Mittal Steel, Motorola, Telenor, Xerox and Western NIS Fund; and some of the region's top businesses, including Basic Element, Ferrexpo, Renaissance Group, Rolf Group of Companies, Sberbank, UkrEximbank and UMC.

The PBN Company’s revenues for the year ended 31 December 2006 were US$10.6million, with gross assets at the same date of US$3.5million.

This investment continues WPP’s strategy of developing its networks in fast growing markets and sectors.