South Africa, Feb. 27 -- The network's shares fell sharply after it posted the steeper-than-expected drop in its top-line figure for the fourth quarter and projected a flat result at best this year.

On Thursday, the London-based advertising group stated that revenue less pass-through costs fell 2.3% on a like-for-like basis in the fourth quarter, hit by declines in North America and China due to account losses and economic pressures.

Mark Read, CEO of WPP says the top line was lower with Q4 impacted by weaker client discretionary spend.

14 Feb 2025

Tough market out there

He comments that it was a "tough market out there", with pressures in its home British market, the US and China, as the group forecast flat revenues at best this yea...