REG - WPP PLC - JWT acquires majority stake in The Hardy Boys <Origin Href="QuoteRef">WPP.L</Origin>

WPPAnnouncement

06/09/2014 02:10

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RNS Number : 2992J
WPP PLC
11 June 2014 
 
 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  11 JUNE 2014  
 
 
WPP PLC ("WPP") 
 
JWT acquires majority stake in creative agency The Hardy Boys 
 
in South Africa 
 
WPP announces that its wholly-owned operating company JWT, the global
marketing communications agency, has acquired a majority stake in The Hardy
Boys, a leading creative agency in South Africa. 
 
Founded in 1994 in Durban, The Hardy Boys is a multi-disciplinary, brand
building agency, with fully integrated activation capabilities. Clients
include Unilever, Diageo, SA Home Loans, ADvTECH and RCL Foods amongst
others. 
 
The Hardy Boys' revenues for the year ended 28 February 2014 were
approximately ZAR 55 million, with gross assets at the same date of
approximately ZAR 32.2 million. 
 
This investment continues WPP's strategy of developing its integrated services
in fast-growing and important markets and sectors and strengthening its
capabilities including digital media. WPP's digital revenues (including
associates) were well over US$6 billion in 2013, representing almost 35% of
the Group's total revenues of US$17.3 billion. WPP has set a target of 40-45%
of revenue to be derived from digital in the next five years. 
 
In South Africa, the Group (including associates) generates revenues of around
US$500 million and employs around 26,000 people.  Across the continent of
Africa, the Group (including associates) collectively generates revenues of
over US$600 million and employs over 27,000 people. 
 
Contact: 
 
 Feona McEwan, WPP London  
 Chris Wade, WPP London    
 + 44(0) 207 408 2204      
 
 
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange