WPP GROUP REVENUE ON THE RISE
By Adnews Staff
WPP Group PLC of London has reported its worldwide revenues rose by 11 per cent on a constant currency basis for the first five months of the year. The figures were released at the company's annual general meeting held earlier this week. The company reported stronger revenue performances in North America at 14 per cent, United Kingdom at 13 per cent and Continental Europe at 12 per cent. Due to economic uncertainty in Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, income in those regions fell by 2 per cent. WPP reported that by company, the combined revenues of J Walter Thompson Company, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, Conquest and MindShare were up by 5 per cent. Where as, its information and consultancy companies including: Research International, Millward Brown, Kantar Media Research, Goldfarb Consultants and Winona Group saw revenues rise 18 per cent. Public relations agency Hill & Knowlton had revenues of 15 per cent and Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide saw revenues rise over two thirds. In addition WPP reported its healthcare and communications activities, which are concentrated in the United States and the United Kingdom, also performed well, resulting in the Group as a whole ahead of last year and operating margins improving with the company's objectives.