WPP SHOWS INCREASED REVENUES
By Adnews Staff
WPP Group plc of London has reported a 13% jump in operating profit in 1997, increasing from $298.8 million(US) to $336.6 million. Revenues rose 3.3% to $2,862 billion and gross profit was up 2.2% to $2,406 billion. Profit before tax increased almost 16% to $290.6 million. WPP is the holding company for several agencies including J. Walter Thompson Co. and Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide. Combined advertising revenues for both of those agencies rose by 9.3%. J. Walter Thompson generated net new billings of $315 million O&M had $535 million in new billings. WPP's information and consultancy business saw a profit growth of 15%. Its information and consultancy business consists of firms such as Millward Brown International, Research International and Winona Research. In its public relations sector, Hill & Knowlton's revenues jumped by over 13%, while Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide saw its revenues increase by 11%.