Post Sir Martin Sorrell memo to all WPP staff worldwide: co-COO Mark Read assures all that there is no intention of breaking up the Group
Wunderman CEO Mark Read (pictured), who has become one of WPP’s two global leaders in the wake of Sir Martin Sorrell’s resignation over the weekend, has emailed each of its approximately 200,000 employees around the world. In the memo Read expresses confidence in the future of WPP and assures all that there is no intention of breaking up the Group
To everyone at WPP
Over the last four days I’ve spent as much time as possible speaking to our people and clients. There’s universal admiration for Martin’s achievements, and sadness about his departure. At the same time, there’s a huge amount of support and goodwill for the company, and no shortage of confidence about the future.
That confidence is well founded. The companies and client teams that make up WPP are exceptionally good at what they do. They are major organisations in their own right, with their own strong leaders. The clients I’ve spoken to have all been clear: they value their partner agencies and teams, they expect them to continue to deliver, and they have no doubt that they will.
Andrew and I have been given a very clear brief by the Board. First, to run the business on a day-to-day basis. I’m looking after people, clients and companies and Andrew is focused on operational and financial performance and managing the WPP portfolio. And second, to move forward decisively on the Group’s strategy. We have tremendous strengths within WPP, and we plan to build on those while bringing our own perspective and ideas.
WPP’s greatest strength is the depth and diversity of our talent (meaning you). We’re working closely with the leaders of our companies, and listening carefully to their views, as we develop our plans.
Some things we know already: we’ll get even closer to our clients to better understand and meet their needs and to help them grow in a world of disruption; we’ll get closer to technology partners like Adobe, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and others; we’ll make sure our structure and offer make it as simple as possible for clients to access our services across the Group; and we’ll put data, technology AND creativity at the heart of what we do.
There’s been speculation about breaking up the Group. We don’t believe this makes sense. In a world where clients need faster, more agile, integrated solutions, we need to get closer together, not further apart.
We’ll share more as soon as we can but, in the meantime, if you have questions let us know and we’ll do our best to answer them: mark.read@wpp.com andrew.scott@wpp.com
WPP is a great business with outstanding people, world-class agencies and most of the world’s leading companies as its clients and partners.
Nothing that’s happened in the last week has changed that.
Mark Read
Chief Operating Officer, WPP
3 Comments
What he means folks is polish your resumes as the faeces and the fan are shortly to meet.
“They are major organisations in their own right, with their own strong leaders. ”
One way to read that: most of them have value, as standalone groups/networks.
Be advised, we will still be accountable for all wire and plastic products globally. This includes all pollution and plastic consumables found in and around the ocean, sea, marine wildlife and beaches.