Xnurta Appoints Former WPP Commerce Executive Luis Pedro Martinez as Managing Director, Europe Mar 26, 2026 8:36 AM Eastern Daylight Time Xnurta Appoints Former WPP Commerce Executive Luis Pedro Martinez as Managing Director, Europe Share London-based hire signals continued global expansion and dedication to empowering agencies to combine human control with AI-driven innovation BELLEVUE, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Xnurta, the award-winning agentic AI-powered advertising platform in retail media, today announc ...

Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors: Industry Expert Publishes Analysis of Foster v. WPP, Examining Allegations of Retaliation and Undisclosed Advertising Profits Mar 24, 2026 11:24 AM Eastern Daylight Time Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors: Industry Expert Publishes Analysis of Foster v. WPP, Examining Allegations of Retaliation and Undisclosed Advertising Profits Share NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Brewer, Attorneys & Counselors announce industry expert in Foster v. WPP, Nick Manning, published an analysis related t ...

Financial Performance - For the year ended December 31, 2025, WPP plc reported revenue of £13,550 million and operating profit of £382 million[24]. - Revenue for 2025 decreased to £13,550 million, down 8% from £14,741 million in 2024[64]. - Operating profit fell to £382 million, a decline of 71% compared to £1,325 million in 2024[64]. - The loss for the year was £172 million, representing a 127.3% decrease from a profit of £629 million in 2024[64]. - Net cash inflow from operating activities dropped to £724 million, down 49% from £1,408 million in 2024[64]. - Headline PBT for 2025 was £1,086 million, down 26% from £1,467 million in 2024[92]. - Headline operating profit for 2025 was £1,360 million, a decrease of 22% from £1,747 million in 2024[88]. - Like-for-like revenue growth for 2025 was reported at -3.6%, compared to a growth of 2.3% in 2024[81]. - The company reported a significant goodwill impairment of £641 million for 2025, compared to £237 million in 2024[91]. - Adjusted free cash flow significantly decreased to £202 million in 2025, compared to £738 million in 2024, a drop of 72.6%[102]. Employee and Operational Metrics - The Group had 98,655 employees as of December 31, 2025[24]. - The Company employs approximately 98,655 people and has a presence in over 100 countries[38]. - The Company had approximately 73,000 employees based in 49 campuses as of December 31, 2025, compared to 68,000 in 47 campuses in 2024[58]. - WPP is reliant on third parties for significant portions of its IT and operations, which poses risks to operational performance[31]. - The Company is highly dependent on the talent and skills of its employees, with a focus on maintaining effective risk management and compliance frameworks[134]. - The Company has established reputations in the industry that attract talented personnel, but faces competition for key employees[134]. Client and Market Dynamics - The ten largest clients accounted for 21.4% of net sales in the year ended December 31, 2025[34]. - Economic risks, including inflation and currency volatility, could lead clients to reduce or cancel spending, impacting revenues[29]. - Geopolitical tensions may cause clients to scale back or delay marketing budgets, affecting overall business confidence[29]. - The failure to execute the strategic plan published in February 2026 could adversely affect market share and long-term value[30]. Financial Liabilities and Debt Management - The Company has issued $220 million of 5.625% bonds due November 2043, with WPP plc as the parent guarantor[68]. - Adjusted net debt improved to £(2,167) million in 2025 from £(1,742) million in 2024, indicating a reduction in net debt levels[105]. - Average adjusted net debt decreased to £(3,404) million in 2025 from £(3,506) million in 2024, reflecting a positive trend in debt management[105]. - The company has issued US$300 million 5.125% guaranteed senior notes due September 2042, with a repurchase of US$28.4 million in 2018 and US$178.7 million in 2019[158]. - The company has EUR 750 million 2.250% guaranteed senior notes due September 2026, listed on the Global Exchange Market of the Irish Stock Exchange[159]. Regulatory and Compliance Risks - The company faces risks related to data privacy and compliance with evolving regulations, which could lead to legal and financial repercussions[34]. - Cybersecurity threats have increased, with potential impacts on operations and client trust if data is compromised[34]. - Changes in local or international tax rules could expose WPP to significant additional tax liabilities, affecting liquidity[34]. - The Company is subject to potential increased costs due to future changes in ESG laws and regulations, including carbon offset pricing[37]. Shareholder Information - Major shareholders include BlackRock Inc. with 9.84% ownership, FIL Limited at 8.92%, and Mondrian Investment Partners at 5.63%[139]. - As of December 31, 2025, the total number of outstanding ordinary shares was 1,078,802,358, with 50.5% held by US residents[140]. - The geographic distribution of share ownership shows 28.6% in the United Kingdom, 50.5% in the United States, and 20.9% in the rest of the world[140]. Internal Controls and Audit - The Company has evaluated its disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2025, concluding they were effective[218]. - Management assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2025, and found it to be effective[219]. - The Company's internal control over financial reporting was audited by PwC, confirming its effectiveness[220]. - There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during 2025 that materially affected its effectiveness[221]. - The Audit Committee includes financial experts, with Sandrine Dufour identified as the financial expert under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act 2002[222].

Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the investment positions held by the author in various companies, indicating a long position in shares of WPP, OMC, and PUBGY, which may suggest a positive outlook on these companies' future performance [1]. Group 1 - The author has a beneficial long position in shares of WPP, OMC, and PUBGY, either through stock ownership, options, or other derivatives [1]. - The article expresses the author's personal opinions and does not involve compensation from the companies mentioned [1]. Group 2 - The author is not a licensed financial advisor and emphasizes that the article should not be considered financial advice [2]. - Investors are encouraged to conduct their own due diligence and research before making any investment decisions [2].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's like-for-like revenue, less pass-through costs, fell by 5.4% for the full year, slightly better than the guidance of a 5.5%-6% decline, with a Q4 decline of 6.9% [9][10] - Headline operating margin was 13%, down 180 basis points year-on-year on a like-for-like basis [9][10] - Fully diluted EPS decreased by 28.4% year-over-year to 63.2 pence, impacted by reduced operating margin and a higher effective tax rate [10][17] - Adjusted operating cash flow before working capital was GBP 1.2 billion, down from GBP 1.3 billion in 2024 [10][19] - Net debt increased to GBP 2.2 billion from GBP 1.7 billion in 2024, with an average adjusted net debt to headline EBITDA ratio of 2.2 times, up from 1.8 times in 2024 [18][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The major negative impacts for the year were driven by gross client losses, particularly in media, with significant deterioration in the U.S. and U.K. markets, and sectors like CPG and TME [11][12] - New business wins in Q4 included notable clients such as Reckitt, Henkel, and the U.K. government, but the overall level of in-year wins was lower than expected [12][13] - Existing clients exhibited cautious spending, particularly in CPG, auto, and tech sectors, impacting overall performance [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Industry estimates indicated a double-digit decline in global pitch activity for the year, affecting new business opportunities [12] - The company noted that the overall net new business headwind is expected to sustain into the first half of 2026 [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to embrace a unified growth strategy, focusing on becoming a simpler, more integrated organization with a strong emphasis on client success [6][8] - The new strategy, termed Elevate28, includes stabilizing the business, returning to growth by 2027, and achieving gross cost savings of GBP 500 million over three years [8][36] - The company is positioning WPP Open as a competitive advantage, integrating capabilities across marketing workflows to enhance client service [34][61] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged disappointing performance in core metrics and emphasized the need for transformation to meet evolving client needs [29][30] - There is optimism regarding the potential for growth, driven by a talented workforce and strategic investments in technology [34][35] - The company recognizes the transformative impact of AI on the industry and aims to leverage it for competitive advantage [46][59] Other Important Information - The board recommended a final dividend of 7.5 pence, totaling 15 pence for 2025, reflecting a commitment to maintaining shareholder returns despite a reduction year-on-year [17][18] - The company completed a successful EUR 1 billion bond issue in December 2025, enhancing liquidity and financial stability [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for new business growth in 2026? - Management expects like-for-like revenue to decline mid-to-high single digits in the first half of 2026, with an improving trajectory in the second half [25] Question: How will the company address the challenges faced in 2025? - The company plans to implement cost actions and invest in WPP Open and AI to stabilize and improve performance [26] Question: What is the outlook for cash flow in 2026? - Anticipated adjusted operating cash flow before working capital is projected to be GBP 800 million-GBP 900 million, including restructuring charges [27]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company's like-for-like revenue, less pass-through costs, fell by 5.4% for the full year, slightly better than the guidance of a 5.5%-6% decline, with a Q4 decline of 6.9% [9][10] - Headline operating margin was 13%, down 180 basis points year-on-year on a like-for-like basis [9][10] - Fully diluted EPS decreased by 28.4% year-over-year to 63.2 pence, impacted by reduced operating margin and a higher effective tax rate [10][16] - Adjusted operating cash flow before working capital was GBP 1.2 billion, down from GBP 1.3 billion in 2024 [10][18] - Reported revenue less pass-through costs was GBP 10.2 billion, a decrease of 10.4% year-on-year [15][16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Major negative impacts were noted in media, particularly in the U.S. and U.K., driven by gross client losses [11][12] - New business wins in 2024 and 2025 contributed positively but were lower than expected, with industry estimates of global pitch activity down double digits [12][13] - Existing client spending was characterized as cautious, particularly in CPG, auto, and tech sectors, heavily impacting Ogilvy [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a deterioration in client assignment losses and spending cuts, particularly in the U.S. and U.K. markets [11][12] - The overall net new business headwind is expected to sustain into the first half of 2026, with a significant drag from client losses [12][23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to embrace a unified growth strategy, focusing on becoming a simpler, more integrated organization [6][8] - The new strategy, called Elevate28, emphasizes stabilizing the business, returning to growth by 2027, and accelerating growth from 2028 onwards [8][34] - Key objectives include driving superior growth for clients, leveraging the WPP Open platform for competitive advantage, and creating firm financial foundations [33][54] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged disappointing performance on core metrics and emphasized the need for change [28][30] - There is optimism about the potential for recovery and growth, driven by a commitment to client success and the integration of AI into operations [30][32] - The company recognizes the transformative impact of AI on the marketing landscape and aims to position itself as a trusted partner for growth and transformation [42][48] Other Important Information - The company has a stable dividend policy, with a total dividend of 15 pence for 2025, despite a reduction year-on-year [16][17] - The company ended 2025 with net debt of GBP 2.2 billion, up from GBP 1.7 billion in 2024, with an average adjusted net debt to headline EBITDA ratio of 2.2 times [18][21] - Fitch Ratings assigned WPP a BBB rating with a stable outlook, reinforcing its investment-grade balance sheet [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for revenue growth in 2026? - The company anticipates like-for-like revenue, less pass-through costs, to decline mid-to-high single digits in the first half of 2026, with an improving trajectory in the second half [24][25] Question: How will the new business impact the overall performance? - New business performance in Q4 was encouraging, and while it will take time to ramp up, the company expects progressively improving impacts from net new business throughout 2026 [12][24] Question: What are the key components of the Elevate28 strategy? - The strategy focuses on stabilizing the business, returning to growth by 2027, and achieving gross cost savings of GBP 500 million over three years [34][54]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - WPP's like-for-like revenue, less pass-through costs, fell by 5.4% for the full year, slightly better than the guidance of a 5.5%-6% decline, with a Q4 decline of 6.9% [7][8] - The headline operating margin was 13%, down 180 basis points year-on-year on a like-for-like basis [8] - Fully diluted EPS was 63.2 pence, a decrease of 28.4% year-over-year, impacted by reduced operating margin and a higher effective tax rate [9][15] - Adjusted operating cash flow before working capital was GBP 1.2 billion, down from GBP 1.3 billion in 2024 [9][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Major negative impacts included gross client losses, particularly in media, with significant deterioration in the U.S. and U.K. markets, and in the CPG and TME sectors [10][11] - New business wins in 2024 and 2025 contributed positively but were lower than expected, with industry estimates of global pitch activity down double digits [11][12] - Existing client spending was characterized by cautiousness and volatility, heavily impacting sectors like CPG, auto, and tech [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company experienced a decline in net sales performance, with a notable impact from client assignment losses and spending cuts [10] - The overall net new business headwind is expected to sustain into the first half of 2026, with a projected drag of 500-600 basis points from client losses [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - WPP aims to embrace a unified growth strategy, focusing on becoming a simpler, more integrated company with a strong emphasis on client success [4][6] - The new strategy, named Elevate28, includes stabilizing the business, returning to growth by 2027, and accelerating growth from 2028 onwards [33][52] - Key objectives include leveraging the WPP Open platform for competitive advantage and creating firm financial foundations for the future [31][52] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged disappointing performance on core metrics and emphasized the need for change, driven by client feedback highlighting complexity and siloed operations [27][28] - There is optimism about the potential for growth, with a focus on adapting to the evolving needs of clients and the rapid changes in the marketing landscape due to AI [30][34] - The company anticipates a progressively improving impact from net new business through 2026, despite initial challenges [22][24] Other Important Information - The board recommended a final dividend of 7.5 pence, totaling 15 pence for 2025, reflecting a commitment to maintaining shareholder returns [15][16] - WPP's average adjusted net debt to headline EBITDA ratio increased to 2.2 times, up from 1.8 times in 2024, indicating a need for careful financial management [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for revenue growth in 2026? - The company expects like-for-like revenue, less pass-through costs, to decline in the mid-to-high single digits in the first half of 2026, with an improving trajectory in the second half [22][24] Question: How will the new strategy impact operating margins? - The company anticipates headline operating profit margins in the range of 12%-13%, benefiting from cost actions taken in 2025 and a lower impact from severance costs [24] Question: What is the outlook for cash flow in 2026? - Adjusted operating cash flow before working capital is expected to be between GBP 800 million and GBP 900 million, including anticipated cash restructuring charges [25]

26 February 2026 THEME 1 CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This document contains statements that are, or may be deemed to be, "forward-looking statements". Forward- looking statements give the Company's current expectations or forecasts of future events. These forward-looking statements may include, among other things, plans, objectives, beliefs, intentions, strategies, projections and anticipated future economic performance based on assumptions and the like that are subject to risk ...

Core Viewpoint - The new CEO Cindy Rose has presented a strategy to revitalize the advertising group, which is currently facing challenges, as the board has decided to reduce its final dividend significantly from 24.4 pence to 7.5 pence per share [1] Group 1 - The final dividend has been cut to 7.5 pence per share, a decrease of 69% from the previous year's 24.4 pence [1]

Core Viewpoint - WPP is implementing a turnaround strategy by merging its agencies into a single entity focused on AI and data, aiming for organic growth by 2027 after a significant decline in operating profit [1] Group 1: Company Strategy - WPP will consolidate its agencies, including Ogilvy, VML, and AKQA, under a new unit called "WPP Creative" as part of its restructuring plan [1] - The CEO, Cindy Rose, emphasized the goal of stabilizing the business and creating capacity for future investments while delivering attractive returns to shareholders [1] Group 2: Financial Performance - WPP reported a 10.4% decline in revenue less pass-through costs, totaling 10.18 billion pounds ($13.8 billion) for 2025 [1] - The headline operating profit for the same period was 1.32 billion pounds, with a margin of 13% [1] - The company forecasts a decline in like-for-like revenue in the mid to high-single digits for the first half of 2026, with expectations of improvement in the second half [1]