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In what is not going to be a surprise for most of us in the Marketing space is the announcement by WPP Group that their like-for-like revenue was down 8.1% for 2009. In branding and identity, healthcare and specialty communications group, which includes its direct, digital and interactive agencies, they announced revenue declines of 6.2% for 2009 compared to the year before.
The holding company's overall like-for-like revenue was down 8.1% for 2009, compared to 2008. In North America, like-for-like revenue for the year also dropped 8.1%.
The holding company revealed, however, that the division containing direct and digital was its “least affected by the recession,” according to its earnings statement. For the second half of 2009, the group's like-for-like revenues were down 5.6%. They also dropped 5.3% during the fourth quarter. However, both periods were an improvement from the first half, when like-for-like revenues decreased 6.9%.
WPP also revealed that its direct, digital and interactive businesses in the US showed revenue growth of more than 1% during the fourth quarter.
The holding company cited OgilvyOne in New York, Wunderman in Seattle and Blast Radius and Fortelligent for performing well. The company also commended 24/7 Real Media, Blue and Deliver for their performance in digital.
Written on Sunday, 07 March 2010 09:23 by Matt McDougall
