Outgoing WPP CEP Mark Read said the holding company will remain “agile and vigilant” and continue its “disciplined” approach going into the second half of 2025 in the latest trading updated.
The holding company reported Q1 revenue of £3,243m, down 5.0% YoY on a reported basis, and down 0.7% like-for-like (LFL), while revenue less pass-through costs of £2,482m was down 2.7% LFL.
Performance in the quarter is consistent with expectations and guidance given at the preliminary results in February, WPP reported.
The holding company reported noted that with elevated macro uncertainty in the near-term, 2025 LFL revenue is expected to flatten to -2% and around flat headline operating profit margin.
Mark Read, Chief Executive Officer of WPP, said: “We continue to make solid progress on our strategic priorities. With the internal focus of integration behind them, VML and Burson are seeing renewed momentum in new business with Generali, Heineken and Levi Strauss & Co important wins during the quarter.
“The acquisition of InfoSum and its integration into GroupM’s data offer accelerates our AI-driven data approach, leapfrogging traditional identity-based solutions. We are also on track with the continued adoption of WPP Open across the organisation with 48,000 of our people (c.60% of client-facing staff) using it in March vs. 33,000 in December.
“Our financial performance in Q1 was in line with our expectations, reflecting macroeconomic challenges and the timing of new business, and we expect these factors to continue in Q2 with performance anticipated to improve in the second half.
“While WPP is not itself directly affected by tariffs, they will impact a number of our clients as well as the broader economy. At this point we have not seen any significant change in client spending and we reiterate our full-year guidance which already reflected a challenging environment. As ever, we remain agile and vigilant and will continue to be disciplined on how we are managing our cost base.”
Top image: Mark Read