WPP Launches Online Social Networking Services

WPP has joined forces with LiveWorld to provide online community and social networking services to major brands worldwide through WPP’s local networks.

The joint venture, to be called LiveWorld-WPP, will be equally owned by each company and will work with WPP agencies across 106 countries.

LiveWorld is the leading interactive agency specialising in online customer communities and social networking for Fortune 1000 companies.

The two companies have collaborated on projects in the past, most recently on Dove’s Campaign For Real Beauty from WPP’s Ogilvy Interactive unit, which won Adweek‘s 2005 Interactive Agency of the Year award.

Mark Read, strategy director, WPP and CEO of wpp.com, said: “Online communities and social networking are starting to offer significant opportunities to forward-thinking marketers. LiveWorld is a pioneer in its category and a proven leader with twenty years of experience in building online communities. They are an excellent choice for us to partner with to provide WPP clients with the most compelling and comprehensive community solutions available in the market.”

Peter Friedman, chairman and CEO, LiveWorld, said: “Major brands worldwide are embracing online community as the basic marketing construct of the new generation. Combining the depth of LiveWorld’s online community experience and solutions with WPP’s scope, scale of services and expansive client portfolio brings a new level of marketing power to the leading brands of the world.”

As part of the deal, LiveWorld issued WPP a warrant for 1 million shares of stock priced at $1.00 a share and a warrant for 1 million shares of stock priced at $1.10 a share.

WPP: 020 7408 2204 www.wpp.com