WPP School of Marketing & Communications in China celebrates 5th anniversary

2 Nov 2015

New Shanghai location; WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell talks talent in a digital age

SHANGHAI — WPP’s School of Marketing and Communications in China today celebrated its 5th anniversary with the opening of a new, larger location in central Xujiahui, Shanghai. WPP CEO Martin Sorrell presided over the ceremonies, addressing students on the need for fresh, innovative talent needed in China’s rapidly evolving marketing and digital landscape.

Since its establishment in 2011, the WPP School has developed internationally recognized award-winning talent and launched the careers of well over 100 young executives. The WPP School of Marketing and Communications was jointly founded by WPP, the world’s largest marketing group, and the Shanghai Art & Design Academy (SADA), a nationally recognized leader in arts and design vocational education in China. The school is China’s first professional marketing and communications three-year diploma program, bringing together a strong academic and creative curriculum combined with practical application.

“We at WPP are very proud of the students and faculty at the Marketing and Communications School in Shanghai. These students, with their strong foundation in marketing and digital skills, are helping to drive forward the future of China’s advertising and marketing industry,” said WPP CEO Martin Sorrell. “China’s economy is a global leader in the digital and e-commerce space, and these students are well positioned to excel in this area of growing significance.”

TB Song, WPP School Dean, said, “Our new campus will not only allow us to grow in numbers up to more than 210 students, it will also provide us with an exciting new home in which our creative foundation can expand unrestrained; inspiring our students to think and dream even bigger. All these achievements are not possible without the support and commitment from the senior education officials from the Shanghai city government and our strong partners from Shanghai Art & Design Academy.”

The WPP school highlights WPP’s commitment to China, which is the group’s third largest market. In Greater China, WPP companies generate revenue of US$1.65 billion and employ 15,000 people (including associates).

WPP School students have been recognized internationally and domestically with a number of awards. In 2015 and 2014, student have won Pencils at D&AD New Blood Awards, making the WPP School the only school in China to achieve these coveted honours. In addition, WPP School students won two golds and one silver at the 2013 China Universities Creative Design Awards, organized by the China Ministry of Education, ranking the WPP School as first in Shanghai, and fifth nationwide.


For more information, please contact:

WPP Corporate Communications
Belinda Rabano, +86 136 0107 8488, [email protected]
Vivian Wang, +86 10 8520 3068, [email protected]

About the WPP School of Marketing and Communications
The Shanghai WPP School of Marketing and Communications was jointly founded in 2011 by WPP, the world’s largest marketing group, and the Shanghai Art & Design Academy (SADA). The school marks China’s first professional marketing and communications three-year diploma program, bringing together a strong academic and creative curriculum combined with practical application.

About WPP
WPP is the world’s largest communications services group with billings of US$76 billion and revenues of US$19 billion. Through its operating companies, the Group provides a comprehensive range of advertising and marketing services including advertising & media investment management; data investment management; public relations & public affairs; branding & identity; healthcare communications; direct, digital, promotion & relationship marketing; and specialist communications. The company employs over 190,000 people (including associates and investments) in over 3,000 offices across 112 countries. For more information, visit www.wpp.com.

WPP was named Holding Company of the Year at the 2015 Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity for the fifth year running. WPP was also named, for the fourth consecutive year, the World’s Most Effective Holding Company in the 2015 Effie Effectiveness Index, which recognizes the effectiveness of marketing communications.

About Shanghai Art and Design Academy (SADA)
SADA is a national college for advanced vocational education, with a 55 year history of cultivating nationally renowned design and artistic talent in China .The academy’s faculty consists of 230 full-time and 100 part-time members overseeing more than 4,400 students, across 19 design specialties. The academy occupies 218 acres with comprehensive environment of versatile workshops and studios featuring in practical training. SADA is now taking on the project of the education system innovations, a pilot education system through collaborations between governments, industries, companies and colleges. Through innovations, SADA has gradually cultivated initiatives to meet industrial developments and corporate demands. The academy has formulated a comprehensive environment of diverse workshops and studios featuring in practical training with the assistance of versatile facilities including domestic specialists, international designers and super craftsmen.