UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_____________________
FORM 6-K
____________________
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Month of April 2025
Commission File Number: 001-38303
______________________
WPP plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
________________________
Sea Containers, 18 Upper Ground
London, United Kingdom SE1 9GL
(Address of principal executive offices)
_________________________
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form
20-F X Form 40-F
___
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ___
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the
submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an
attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ___
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the
submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report
or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must
furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which
the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the
registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules
of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s
securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is
not a press release, is not required to be and has not been
distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if
discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form
6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
Forward-Looking Statements
The
Company may include forward-looking statements (including as
defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995) in oral or written public statements issued by or on behalf
of the Company. 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 risks and
uncertainties. These statements can be identified by the fact that
they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. They
use words such as ‘aim’, ‘anticipate’,
‘believe’, ‘estimate’,
‘expect’, ‘forecast’,
‘guidance’, ‘intend’, ‘may’,
‘will’, ‘should’, ‘potential’,
‘possible’, ‘predict’,
‘project’, ‘plan’, ‘target’,
and other words and similar references to future periods but are
not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. As such,
all forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty because
they relate to future events and circumstances that are beyond the
control of the Company. Actual results or outcomes may differ
materially from those discussed or implied in the forward-looking
statements. Therefore, you should not rely on such forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, as a
prediction of actual results or otherwise. Important factors which
may cause actual results to differ include but are not limited to:
the unanticipated loss of a material client or key personnel;
delays, suspensions or reductions in client advertising budgets;
shifts in industry rates of compensation; regulatory compliance
costs or litigation; changes in competitive factors in the
industries in which we operate and demand for our products and
services; changes in client advertising, marketing and corporate
communications requirements; our inability to realise the future
anticipated benefits of acquisitions; failure to realise our
assumptions regarding goodwill and indefinite lived intangible
assets; natural disasters or acts of terrorism; the Company’s
ability to attract new clients; the economic and geopolitical
impact of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East; the risk of
global economic downturn; slower growth, increasing interest rates
and high and sustained inflation; tariffs and other trade barriers;
supply chain issues affecting the distribution of our
clients’ products; technological changes and risks to the
security of IT and operational infrastructure, systems, data and
information resulting from increased threat of cyber and other
attacks; effectively managing the risks, challenges and
efficiencies presented by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
Generative AI technologies and partnerships in our business; risks
related to our environmental, social and governance goals and
initiatives, including impacts from regulators and other
stakeholders, and the impact of factors outside of our control on
such goals and initiatives; the Company’s exposure to changes
in the values of other major currencies (because a substantial
portion of its revenues are derived and costs incurred outside of
the UK); and the overall level of economic activity in the
Company’s major markets (which varies depending on, among
other things, regional, national and international political and
economic conditions and government regulations in the world’s
advertising markets). In addition, you should consider the risks
described in Item 3D, captioned “Risk Factors” in the
Group’s most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F, which could
also cause actual results to differ from forward-looking
information. In light of these and other uncertainties, the
forward-looking statements included in this document should not be
regarded as a representation by the Company that the
Company’s plans and objectives will be achieved. Neither the
Company, nor any of its directors, officers or employees, provides
any representation, assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of
any events anticipated, expressed or implied in any forward-looking
statements will actually occur. Other than in accordance with its
legal or regulatory obligations (including under the Market Abuse
Regulation, the UK Listing Rules and the Disclosure and
Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority), the Company
undertakes no obligation to update or revise any such
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
EXHIBIT INDEX
|
Exhibit
No.
|
Description
|
|
1
|
First Quarter 2025 Trading Update dated 25 April 2025, prepared by
WPP plc.
|
25
April 2025
First Quarter 2025 Trading Update
|
Continued strategic progress despite challenging macro; FY guidance
reiterated
|
|
First Quarter
|
£ million
|
+/(-) % reported1
|
+/(-) % LFL2
|
|
Revenue
|
3,243
|
(5.0)
|
(0.7)
|
|
Revenue
less pass-through costs
|
2,482
|
(7.6)
|
(2.7)
|
Q1 revenue of £3,243m was 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. While we note elevated macro
uncertainty in the near-term, we continue to expect 2025 LFL
revenue less pass-through costs of flat to -2% and around flat
headline operating profit margin (excluding the impact of
FX).
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."
Conference Call at 9.30am UK/4.30am EDT:
Dial-in Details: UK +44 (0) 20 3936 2999; US +1 646 233 4753;
Passcode: 075053
Webcast: Live listen-only webcast and replay will be
available here
|
For further information:
|
|||
|
Media
|
|
Investors and analysts
|
|
|
Chris
Wade, WPP
|
+44
20 7282 4600
|
Thomas
Singlehurst, CFA
|
+44
7876 431922
|
|
Richard
Oldworth,
|
+44
7710 130 634
|
Anthony
Hamilton
|
+44
7464 532903
|
|
Burson
Buchanan
|
+44
20 7466 5000
|
Melissa
Fung
|
+44
7353 107064
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
wpp.com/investors
|
|
1. Percentage
change in reported sterling.
2. Like-for-like.
LFL comparisons are calculated as follows: current year, constant
currency actual results (which include acquisitions from the
relevant date of completion) are compared with prior year, constant
currency actual results, adjusted to include the results of
acquisitions and disposals for the commensurate period in the prior
year.
Q1 2025 performance
● Q1
revenue - Q1
2025 revenue of £3,243m was down 5.0%, a LFL decline of 0.7%.
Revenue less pass-through costs of £2,482m was down 7.6%
reported and 2.7% LFL.
● Business
segment and regions - Global
Integrated Agencies Q1 LFL revenue less pass-through costs was down
2.8%, with GroupM, our media business, down 0.9% while other Global
Integrated Agencies declined 4.4%. Public Relations saw Q1 LFL
revenue less pass-through costs down 6.6% while Specialist Agencies
grew 1.2%. By geography, North America was broadly flat at -0.1%,
while the UK was -5.5%, Western Continental Europe -4.5% and Rest
of World -3.8%, including growth of 5.5% in India offset by a
decline of -17.4% in China.
● Clients
- WPP's
top 25 clients saw growth of 2.5% in the quarter underpinned by a
robust performance in CPG, further improvement in Tech &
Digital Services and stabilisation in Healthcare, while Retail,
Telecom and Travel & Leisure saw
declines.
Delivering on strategic priorities for 2025
●
Staying at the forefront of AI via WPP Open
- AI,
data and technology is increasingly central to the way we serve our
clients and was critical to new business wins in Q1 2025 including
Heineken's global commerce business. Annual investment is ramping
up to £300m (from £250m in 2024) and usage of WPP Open
continues to grow at pace with c.60% of our client-facing staff
using the platform in March.
● Improving the competitiveness
of GroupM - GroupM's
performance in the quarter reflects the impact of historical client
losses. Under the leadership of Brian Lesser the business is
building on and accelerating the simplification plan laid out in
January 2024. Operationally it is driving adoption of Open Media
Studio and, via the recent acquisition of InfoSum, is well advanced
on its plan to create the next generation of AI-enhanced data and
marketing solutions for clients, delivered through the industry's
most powerful and secure infrastructure. As we accelerate the
simplification of GroupM we would expect the phasing of this to
weigh on the Group's margin in the first half but be neutral across
the full year.
● New
client assignments - Wins
included: Electronic Arts and Godrej Consumer Products in media;
Generali, Heineken, Ionna and National Vision within
creative/commerce/design; Levis Strauss & Co in PR; and
L'Oréal's Influencer portfolio.
●
More efficient
operations - Annualisation
of the structural cost savings and a continued focus on operational
efficiency and disciplined cost management are enabling continued
investment in WPP Open, AI and data. This includes the integration
of new AI tools into Open, a key factor driving day-to-day
productivity improvements for our people.
Financial outlook for 2025
● Reiterating
2025 guidance - LFL
revenue less pass-through costs of flat to -2% with performance
improving in the second half. We still expect headline operating
profit margin for the full year to be around flat (excluding
FX).
First quarter 2025 overview
Revenue
in the first quarter was £3.2bn, down 5.0% from £3.4bn in
Q1 2024, and down 0.7% LFL. Revenue less pass-through costs was
£2.5bn, down 7.6% from £2.7bn in Q1 2024, and down 2.7%
LFL.
|
£ million
|
Q1 2025
|
%
reported
|
%
M&A
|
%
FX
|
+/(-) %
LFL
|
|
Revenue
|
3,243
|
(5.0)
|
(3.1)
|
(1.2)
|
(0.7)
|
|
Revenue less pass-through costs
|
2,482
|
(7.6)
|
(3.7)
|
(1.2)
|
(2.7)
|
Segmental review
Business segments - revenue less pass-through costs
|
£ million
|
Q1 2025
|
Q1 2024
|
+/(-) %
reported
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
|
Global
Integrated Agencies
|
2,119
|
2,202
|
(3.8)
|
(2.8)
|
|
Public
Relations
|
167
|
276
|
(39.5)
|
(6.6)
|
|
Specialist
Agencies
|
196
|
209
|
(6.2)
|
1.2
|
|
Total Group
|
2,482
|
2,687
|
(7.6)
|
(2.7)
|
Global Integrated Agencies: GroupM,
our media planning and buying business, saw a LFL decline in
revenue less pass-through costs of 0.9% in Q1 (Q1 2024: +2.4%),
with growth in the US offset by the impact of client assignment
losses from prior years in the UK and Europe and continued weakness
in China.
Other
Global Integrated Agencies declined 4.4% LFL (Q1 2024: -3.3%),
impacted by continued pressure on project-based work, which weighed
particularly on AKQA in the quarter, as well as tough comparisons
at Ogilvy. Against this, Hogarth saw a return to high single-digit
growth supported by the continued rebound in spend by technology
clients.
Public Relations: Revenue
less pass-through costs were down 39.5% driven by the disposal of
FGS Global which completed in Q4 2024. On a LFL basis, Burson saw a
broadly similar trend to Q4 with revenue less pass-through costs
down in the mid to high single digits as the business continued to
face a challenging environment for client discretionary spending,
in particular in Europe. We are encouraged by improved new business
momentum in Q1, in particular in the US.
Specialist
Agencies: CMI
Media Group, our specialist healthcare media planning and buying
agency, continued to grow strongly, building on double-digit growth
in 2024. Meanwhile, Landor, Design Bridge and Partners, and a
number of our smaller specialist agencies, while still affected by
delays in project-based spending, saw a more moderated rate of
decline. Overall Specialist Agencies saw growth of 1.2% (Q1 2024:
-7.6%).
Regional segments - revenue less pass-through costs
|
£ million
|
Q1 2025
|
Q1 2024
|
+/(-) %
reported
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
|
N.
America
|
992
|
1,055
|
(6.0)
|
(0.1)
|
|
United
Kingdom
|
368
|
383
|
(3.9)
|
(5.5)
|
|
W
Cont. Europe
|
487
|
556
|
(12.4)
|
(4.5)
|
|
AP,
LA, AME, CEE
|
635
|
693
|
(8.4)
|
(3.8)
|
|
Total Group
|
2,482
|
2,687
|
(7.6)
|
(2.7)
|
North
America saw
a slight sequential improvement, declining 0.1% in Q1 2025 relative
to Q4 2024 (-1.4%). Q1 continued to see pressure on project-based
work, in particular at AKQA, while the region benefited from better
spend in Tech & Digital Services across media and production
and a more robust performance in Healthcare.
The United
Kingdom declined
5.5% against the toughest comparison of the year (Q1 2024: +0.3%)
with pressure on project-based spend, particularly in Healthcare
and Automotive, offsetting more robust trends in
CPG. Western
Continental Europe saw
a broad-based decline against the toughest comparison from 2024 (Q1
2024: +3.3%). Spain remains a relative outperformer, down slightly
against a strong double-digit comparison.
Rest of
World declined
3.8%, driven primarily by Asia Pacific which declined 5.7%. Growth
in India of 5.5%, reflecting continued strong new business momentum
in particular at GroupM, was offset by a 17.4% decline in China,
which was impacted by client assignment losses and persistent
macroeconomic pressures. There were declines in Latin America
(-1.6%) and Middle East & Africa (-1.9%). Central & Eastern
Europe continued to grow (+2.0%).
Top five markets - revenue less pass-through costs
|
% LFL +/(-)
|
USA
|
UK
|
Germany
|
China
|
India
|
|
Q1 2025
|
0.0
|
(5.5)
|
(5.0)
|
(17.4)
|
5.5
|
Client sector - revenue less pass-through costs
|
Q1 2025
|
% share, revenue less
pass-through costs3
|
+/(-) % LFL
|
|
CPG
|
28.0
|
0.3
|
|
Tech
& Digital Services
|
17.7
|
4.5
|
|
Healthcare
& Pharma
|
11.6
|
0.1
|
|
Automotive
|
11.1
|
5.0
|
|
Retail
|
8.7
|
(2.9)
|
|
Telecom,
Media & Entertainment
|
6.5
|
(4.8)
|
|
Financial
Services
|
6.2
|
2.6
|
|
Other
|
4.0
|
(13.9)
|
|
Travel
& Leisure
|
3.5
|
(5.3)
|
|
Government,
Public Sector & Non-profit
|
2.7
|
13.0
|
3. Proportion
of WPP revenue less pass-through costs in Q1
2025; table made up of
clients representing 82% of WPP
total revenue less pass-through costs.
Balance sheet highlights
Average adjusted net debt (for the last 12 month rolling period) at
31 March 2025 was £3.4bn, compared to £3.7bn at
31 March 2024, and £3.5bn at 31 December
2024.
Adjusted net debt at 31 March 2025 was £3.7bn, against
£4.0bn as at 31 March 2024.
In March, WPP repaid a €500m bond on maturity that had
previously been refinanced in 2024 through the issuance of two new
bonds.
Outlook
We
are reaffirming our guidance for 2025 as follows:
|
Like-for-like revenue less pass-through costs growth of flat to -2%
with performance expected to improve in the second
half
Headline operating margin expected to be around flat year-on-year
(excluding the impact of FX)
|
Other
2025 financial indications:
●
Mergers and acquisitions will reduce revenue less
pass-through costs by around 3.0 points primarily due to the
disposal of FGS Global, partially offset by anticipated
M&A
●
FX impact: current rates (at 22 April 2025) imply a c.2.0% drag on
FY 2025 revenue less pass-through costs, with c.20bps reduction
expected on FY 2025 headline operating margin
●
Headline earnings from associates around £40m
●
Non-controlling interests around £65m
●
Headline net finance costs of around £280m
●
Effective tax rate (measured as headline tax as a % of headline
profit before tax) of around 29%. Cash taxes will include tax in
relation to the FGS Global disposal
●
Capex of around £250m
●
Cash restructuring costs of around £110m
●
Adjusted operating cash flow before working capital of around
£1.4bn
Medium-term targets
In
January 2024, we presented our updated medium-term financial
framework including the following three targets:
●
3%+ LFL growth in revenue less pass-through costs
●
16-17% headline operating profit margin
● Adjusted operating
cash flow conversion of 85%+4
4. Adjusted
operating cash flow divided by headline operating
profit.
Q1 2025 highlights
At
our January 2024 Capital Markets Day we set out four strategic
pillars. Below we highlight key developments from Q1 against these
areas of strategic focus.
1. Lead through AI, data and technology
●
Driving
investment and adoption of WPP Open - At
the preliminary results in February 2025 we outlined our ambition
to drive further investment in WPP Open, taking the annual spend on
our AI-powered marketing operating system to £300m in 2025
from £250m in 2024. Key enhancements in the quarter include
the integration of Google's Veo2
to enhance video generation
capabilities (see link).
Just as important as ramping investment is driving usage and we
have seen further progress in adoption with 48,000 of our people
(equivalent to c.60% of client-facing staff) using the platform
actively on a monthly basis, up from 33,000/c.40% in
December.
WPP Open continues to see increased client adoption with Google,
IBM, L'Oréal, LVMH, Nestlé and The Coca-Cola Company
seeing benefits both in how we work and the effectiveness of their
investments. WPP Open has also been a critical factor in recent
account wins including Heineken during the course of the quarter
(see link).
●
Supporting
GroupM's ID to AI approach via the acquisition of InfoSum
- Although
it was announced just after the quarter end (see link),
the acquisition of InfoSum marks a major strategic step forward for
GroupM's AI-driven data offer. At our preliminary results, GroupM's
new CEO Brian Lesser outlined his vision for data intelligence at
GroupM, helping WPP clients to maximise the value of their
first-party data with privacy-enhancing connections to third-party
data providers and media partners. The acquisition of InfoSum
embeds an AI-enabled, secure and privacy-enhancing data
collaboration platform within WPP Open, enabling data-driven
marketing and AI model training for WPP and its clients, and is a
critical milestone in our journey to leapfrog traditional
identity-led solutions.
●
Complementing
direct investment in AI with strategic partnerships
- In early March 2025, WPP
announced a strategic partnership with, and investment in,
Stability AI, a pioneer in generative AI and the developer of
Stable Diffusion, an industry-leader in image generation
(see link).
The partnership will further enhance WPP's ability to deliver
cutting-edge, AI-driven content solutions to its clients across
various entertainment channels such as streaming platforms,
interactive experiences and immersive storytelling, and it
reinforces WPP's commitment to remaining at the forefront of
technological advancements in the creative
industries.
2. Accelerate growth through the power of creative
transformation
●
WARC 100 Lists
confirm creative, media and effectiveness credentials
- In
early March 2025 (see link)
WPP was recognised as the most creative company on WARC's 2025
Creative 100 List, the third year in a row the company has received
this honour. Ogilvy and VML ranked first and second for most
creative agency networks. The following week
(see link)
WARC recognised WPP as the top company in its Media 100 list for
the eighth consecutive year, with Mindshare and EssenceMediacom
ranking first and second respectively. The 'triple crown' was
achieved at the end of March 2025 (see link)
with the announcement that WPP had also been named the number one
company in the WARC Effective 100, with Ogilvy appearing as the top
agency network for the third year.
●
Strong showing
by WPP-supported brands at Super Bowl LIX - At
this year's Super Bowl, WPP integrated creative agencies were
responsible for some of the most successful advertising spots shown
during coverage of the game, including
Unilever's When
Sally Met Hellmann's spot.
GroupM secured the media for 20 spots (up from 19 in 2024). Other
highlights included work for Angel Soft, Verizon and Dove
(see link for
more detail and videos).
3. Build world-class, market-leading brands
● Driving a
simpler, more integrated offering at GroupM - During
Q1 2025, Emily del Greco took the role of Global Chief Operating
Officer at GroupM, while Toby Jenner, formerly CEO of Wavemaker,
was appointed Global Chief Business Officer and Adam Gerhart,
formerly CEO of Mindshare, became Chief Client Officer. These
appointments, alongside an acceleration of the simplification
programme, are a key part of building a more client-centric
operating model, making GroupM a more unified company with one
voice to clients and partners while also maximising operational
efficiency.
●
Creation
of VML Enterprise Solutions highlights technology &
transformation capabilities - In
early April 2025 (see link)
VML's technology transformation, commerce, customer experience and
consulting capabilities were brought together under the leadership
of Jeff Gehab as CEO of VML Enterprise Solutions. VML Enterprise
Solutions comprises 10,000+ experts across 40+ global offices
within the VML global network. Key clients include Ford, The
Coca-Cola Company, Google, IKEA, Sainsbury's, Sherwin-Williams,
T-Mobile and United Rentals.
4. Execute efficiently to drive financial returns through margin
and cash
●
Enterprise-wide
AI integration for efficiency - WPP
is implementing AI tools and capabilities to enhance employee
productivity, streamline business operations, and accelerate
overall business transformation. As part of this, in Q1 2025
Copilot and Copilot Studio were progressively rolled out across WPP
and new Microsoft AI tools integrated within the WPP Open user
experience.
●
Scaling Global
Delivery Centres - In
late Q4 2024, we announced the strategic scaling of WPP's Global
Delivery Centres (GDCs) in India (see link).
The breadth of offering within WPP's GDCs - spanning media,
content, commerce, technology consulting, data and CRM - is unique
and offers both WPP, and our clients, a significant opportunity to
harness scale, standardise processes and leverage AI across
workflows. In Q1 2025 a new centre of excellence for VFX
workstreams was created.
Corporate governance, purpose and ESG
● Annual and
Sustainability Reports - Our 2024 Annual Report was
published at the end of March 2025. The report provides a
comprehensive overview of WPP's financial results, strategic
progress and future growth initiatives while including important
updates on corporate governance and ESG. Additional context on ways
WPP is working to deliver against its purpose can be seen in
our 2024
Sustainability Report.
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 risks and uncertainties. These
statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate
strictly to historical or current facts. They use words such as
'aim', 'anticipate', 'believe', 'estimate', 'expect', 'forecast',
'guidance', 'intend', 'may', 'will', 'should', 'potential',
'possible', 'predict', 'project', 'plan', 'target', and other words
and similar references to future periods but are not the exclusive
means of identifying such statements. As such, all forward-looking
statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to
future events and circumstances that are beyond the control of the
Company. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from
those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
Therefore, you should not rely on such forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date they are made, as a prediction of
actual results or otherwise. Important factors which may cause
actual results to differ include but are not limited to: the
unanticipated loss of a material client or key personnel; delays,
suspensions or reductions in client advertising budgets; shifts in
industry rates of compensation; regulatory compliance costs or
litigation; changes in competitive factors in the industries in
which we operate and demand for our products and services; changes
in client advertising, marketing and corporate communications
requirements; our inability to realise the future anticipated
benefits of acquisitions; failure to realise our assumptions
regarding goodwill and indefinite lived intangible assets; natural
disasters or acts of terrorism; the Company's ability to attract
new clients; the economic and geopolitical impact of the conflicts
in Ukraine and the Middle East; the risk of global economic
downturn; slower growth, increasing interest rates and high and
sustained inflation; supply chain issues affecting the distribution
of our clients' products; technological changes and risks to the
security of IT and operational infrastructure, systems, data and
information resulting from increased threat of cyber and other
attacks; effectively managing the risks, challenges and
efficiencies presented by using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
Generative AI technologies and partnerships in our business; risks
related to our environmental, social and governance goals and
initiatives, including impacts from regulators and other
stakeholders, and the impact of factors outside of our control on
such goals and initiatives; the Company's exposure to changes in
the values of other major currencies (because a substantial portion
of its revenues are derived and costs incurred outside of the UK);
and the overall level of economic activity in the Company's major
markets (which varies depending on, among other things, regional,
national and international political and economic conditions and
government regulations in the world's advertising markets). In
addition, you should consider the risks described in Item 3D,
captioned 'Risk Factors' in the Group's most recent Annual Report
on Form 20-F, which could also cause actual results to differ from
forward-looking information. Neither the Company, nor any of its
directors, officers or employees, provides any representation,
assurance or guarantee that the occurrence of any events
anticipated, expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements
will actually occur. Accordingly, no assurance can be given that
any particular expectation will be met and investors are cautioned
not to place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements.
Other than in accordance with its legal or regulatory obligations
(including under the Market Abuse Regulation, the UK Listing Rules
and the Disclosure and Transparency Rules of the Financial Conduct
Authority), the Company undertakes no obligation to update or
revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of
new information, future events or otherwise. Any forward-looking
statements made by or on behalf of the Group speak only as of the
date they are made and are based upon the knowledge and information
available to the Directors at the time.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
|
WPP PLC
|
|
|
(Registrant)
|
|
Date:
25 April 2025
|
By:
______________________
|
|
|
Balbir
Kelly-Bisla
|
|
|
Company
Secretary
|