In another effort to simplify its group structure, WPP is to merge J. Walter Thompson – the world’s oldest advertising agency at 154 years – with digital network Wunderman.
The newly formed agency will be led by global CEO Mel Edwards, who is currently the global CEO of Wunderman. Tamara Ingram, CEO of J. Walter Thompson, will become chairman.
“To achieve transformative outcomes, clients today need inspiration that is rooted in data-driven insight. I am really excited to be able to deliver that within one agency,” said Edwards.
“Wunderman Thompson offers precisely what clients want: brilliant creativity, expertise in data and sophisticated technology skills. I couldn’t be more honoured to lead this new organisation and its exceptional people.”[advert position=”left”]
WPP said the new organisation will be “distinctively positioned as a provider of end-to-end solutions – through creative, data, commerce, consulting and technology services – at a global scale.”
The news comes after WPP, on the back of a poor financial performance and account losses, announced the creation of a new brand experience agency in September, unifying digital agency VML and creative agency Y&R.
WPP is also reviewing its options for its research, data and insight division, Kantar, including selling part of the business to a strategic or financial partner.
On Monday Mark Read, WPP CEO, said: “Wunderman Thompson is a formidable combination, bringing together the capabilities our clients are demanding – award-winning creativity alongside deep expertise in technology, data and commerce – in a single organisation.
“Clients want greater simplicity from their partners and this development, like others at WPP, is designed to reshape our company around their needs.”
Wunderman Thompson will be headquartered in JWT’s offices in New York and will employ around 20,000 people in 200 locations across 90 global markets.
