Annual Report • Dec 31, 2010
Annual Report
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| UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 |
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| FORM 20-F | ||||||
| (Mark One) REGISTRATION STATEMENT PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR (g) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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| OR | ||||||
| ⌧ | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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| For the fiscal year ended 31 December 2010 | ||||||
| OR | ||||||
| TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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| For the transition period from to |
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| OR | ||||||
| SHELL COMPANY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
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| Date of event requiring this shell company report | ||||||
| Commission file number 0-16350 | ||||||
| WPP plc (Exact Name of Registrant as specified in its charter) |
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| Jersey (Jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
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| 6 Ely Place Dublin 2, Ireland (Address of principal executive offices) |
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| Andrea Harris, Esq. Group Chief Counsel 6 Ely Place Dublin 2, Ireland 011-353-1-669-0333 (Name, Telephone, E-mail and/or Facsimile number and Address of Company Contact Person) |
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| Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act. | ||||||
| Title of each class Name of each exchange on which registered Not applicable Not applicable |
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| Securities registered or to be registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act. | ||||||
| Ordinary Shares of 10p each | ||||||
| (Title of Class) | ||||||
| American Depositary Shares, each representing five Ordinary Shares (ADSs) | ||||||
| (Title of Class) |
Securities for which there is a reporting obligation pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Act.
None
Indicate the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer's classes of capital or common stock as of the close of the period covered by the annual report.
At December 31, 2010, the number of outstanding ordinary shares was 1,264,391,221 which includes at such date ordinary shares represented by 10,766,211 ADSs.
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.
YES ⌧ NO -
If this report is an annual or transition report, indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
YES -NO ⌧
Note – Checking the box above will not relieve any registrant required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 from their obligations under those Sections.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
YES ⌧ NO -
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).
YES -NO -
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ⌧ Accelerated filer -Non-accelerated filer -
Indicate by check mark which basis of accounting the registrant has used to prepare the financial statements included in this filing:
U.S. GAAP -International Financial Reporting Standards issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ⌧ Other -
If "Other" has been checked in response to the previous question, indicate by check mark which financial statement item the registrant has elected to follow.
Item 17 -Item 18 -
If this is an annual report, indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).
YES -NO ⌧
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| FORWARD – LOOKING STATEMENTS | 1 | |
| Part I | 1 | |
| Item 1 | IDENTITY OF DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND ADVISERS | 1 |
| Item 2 | OFFER STATISTICS AND EXPECTED TIMETABLE | 1 |
| Item 3 | KEY INFORMATION | 1 |
| A Selected Financial Data |
1 | |
| B Capitalization and Indebtedness C Reasons for the Offer and Use of Proceeds |
4 4 |
|
| D Risk Factors |
5 | |
| Item 4 | INFORMATION ON THE COMPANY | 7 |
| A History and Development of the Company |
7 | |
| B Business Overview C Organizational Structure |
8 17 |
|
| D Property, Plant and Equipment |
19 | |
| Item 4A | UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS | 19 |
| Item 5 | OPERATING FINANCIAL REVIEW AND PROSPECTS | 20 |
| A Operating Results |
20 | |
| B Liquidity and Capital Resources C Research and Development, Patents and Licenses |
27 30 |
|
| D Trend Information |
30 | |
| E Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements |
32 | |
| F Tabular Disclosure of Contractual Obligations |
33 | |
| Item 6 | DIRECTORS, SENIOR MANAGEMENT AND EMPLOYEES | 39 |
| A Directors and Senior Management B Compensation |
39 42 |
|
| C Board Practices |
54 | |
| D Employees |
57 | |
| E Share Ownership |
59 | |
| Item 7 | MAJOR SHAREHOLDERS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS A Major Shareholders |
61 61 |
| B Related Party Transactions |
61 | |
| C Interests of Experts and Counsel |
61 | |
| Item 8 | FINANCIAL INFORMATION | 62 |
| A Consolidated Statements and Other Financial Information B Significant Changes |
62 63 |
|
| Item 9 | THE OFFER AND LISTING A Offer and Listing Details |
64 64 |
| B Plan of Distribution |
65 | |
| C Markets |
65 | |
| D Selling Shareholders E Dilution |
65 65 |
|
| F Expenses of the Issue |
65 |
| Page | ||
|---|---|---|
| Item 10 | ADDITIONAL INFORMATION A Share Capital B Memorandum and Articles of Association C Material Contracts D Exchange Controls E Taxation F Dividends and Paying Agents G Statements by Experts H Documents on Display I Subsidiary Information |
66 66 66 74 77 77 84 84 84 84 |
| Item 11 | QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK | 85 |
| Item 12 | DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES OTHER THAN EQUITY SECURITIES A Debt Securities B Warrants and Rights C Other Securities D American Depositary Shares |
87 87 87 88 88 |
| Part II | 90 | |
| Item 13 | DEFAULTS, DIVIDEND ARREARAGES AND DELINQUENCIES | 90 |
| Item 14 | MATERIAL MODIFICATIONS TO THE RIGHTS OF SECURITY HOLDERS AND USE OF PROCEEDS |
90 |
| Item 15 | CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES | 90 |
| Item 16A | AUDIT COMMITTEE FINANCIAL EXPERT | 92 |
| Item 16B | CODE OF ETHICS | 92 |
| Item 16C | PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES | 93 |
| Item 16D | EXEMPTIONS FROM THE LISTING STANDARDS FOR AUDIT COMMITTEES | 93 |
| Item 16E | PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES BY THE ISSUER AND AFFILIATED PURCHASERS | 93 |
| Item 16F | CHANGE IN REGISTRANT'S CERTIFYING ACCOUNTANT | 94 |
| Item 16G | CORPORATE GOVERNANCE | 94 |
| Part III | 95 | |
| Item 17 | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 95 |
| Item 18 | FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 95 |
| Item 19 | EXHIBITS | 95 |
In connection with the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the 'Reform Act'), the Company (as defined below) may include forward-looking statements (as defined in the Reform Act) 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, projections and anticipated future economic performance based on assumptions and the like that are subject to risks and uncertainties. As such, actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. 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 or reductions in client advertising budgets, shifts in industry rates of compensation, regulatory compliance costs or litigation, natural disasters or acts of terrorism, the Company's exposure to changes in the values of major currencies other than the UK pound sterling (because a substantial portion of its revenues are derived and costs incurred outside of the United Kingdom) 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," 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.
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.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
WPP plc (WPP) and its subsidiaries and affiliates comprise one of the largest communications services businesses in the world. At 31 December 2010, the Group had approximately 104,000 employees. Including all employees of associated companies, this figure was approximately 146,000. For the year ended 31 December 2010, the Group had revenue of approximately £9,331 million and operating profit of approximately £973 million.
Unless the context otherwise requires, the terms "Company", "Group" and "Registrant" as used herein shall mean WPP and its subsidiaries.
The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, including the notes thereto.
The selected income statement data for the three years ended 31 December 2010 and the selected balance sheet data at 31 December 2010 and 2009 are derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company that appear elsewhere in this Form 20-F. The selected financial data for prior periods is derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission as part of the Company's Annual Reports on Form 20-F. The Consolidated Financial Statements were prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), for all periods.
The reporting currency of the Group is the UK pound sterling and the selected financial data has been prepared on this basis.
| Year ended 31 December | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Revenue | 9,331.0 | 8,684.3 | 7,476.9 | 6,185.9 | 5,907.8 |
| Operating profit | 973.0 | 761.7 | 876.0 | 804.7 | 741.6 |
| Profit for the year | 661.0 | 506.9 | 513.9 | 515.1 | 482.6 |
| Profit attributable to equity holders of the | |||||
| parent | 586.0 | 437.7 | 439.1 | 465.9 | 435.8 |
| Earnings per ordinary share: | |||||
| Basic | 47.5p | 35.9p | 38.4p | 39.6p | 36.3p |
| Diluted | 45.9p | 35.3p | 37.6p | 38.0p | 35.2p |
| Earnings per ADS : 1 |
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| Basic | 237.5p | 179.5p | 192.0p | 198.0p | 181.5p |
| Diluted | 229.5p | 176.5p | 188.0p | 190.0p | 176.0p |
| Dividends per ordinary share | 16.25p | 15.47p | 14.32p | 11.93p | 9.94p |
| Dividends per ADS (US dollars) 2 |
126.7c | 135.9c | 139.5c | 113.3c | 90.9c |
Basic and diluted earnings per American Depositary Share (ADS) have been calculated using the same method as earnings per share, multiplied by a factor of five. 1
These figures have been translated for convenience purposes only, using the average rate for the year shown in the exchange rate table on page 4. This conversion should not be construed as a representation that the pound sterling amounts actually represent, or could be converted into, US dollars at the rates indicated. 2
| At 31 December | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2009 2008 2007 |
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| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | ||||
| Total assets | 24,345.1 | 22,351.5 | 24,463.3 | 17,252.0 | 14,695.9 | |||
| Net assets | 6,647.9 | 6,075.7 | 5,959.8 | 4,094.8 | 3,918.4 | |||
| Called-up share capital | 126.4 | 125.6 | 125.5 | 119.2 | 124.1 | |||
| Number of shares (in millions) | 1,264.4 | 1,256.5 | 1,255.3 | 1,191.5 | 1,240.6 |
Dividends on the Company's ordinary shares, when paid, are paid to share owners as of a record date, which is fixed by the Company.
The table below sets forth the amounts of interim, second interim and total dividends paid on the Company's ordinary shares in respect of each fiscal year indicated. In the United States, the Company's ordinary shares are represented by ADSs, which are evidenced by American Depositary Receipts (ADRs) or held in book-entry form. The dividends are also shown translated into US cents per ADS using the average Bloomberg Closing Mid Point rate for pounds sterling, as shown on page 4, for each year presented.
| Pence per ordinary share | US cents per ADS | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year ended 31 December: | First Interim |
Second 1 Interim |
Total | First Interim |
Second 1 Interim |
Total | ||
| 2006 | 3.60 | 7.61 | 11.21 | 33.18 | 70.13 | 103.31 | ||
| 2007 | 4.32 | 9.13 | 13.45 | 43.24 | 91.39 | 134.63 | ||
| 2008 | 5.19 | 10.28 | 15.47 | 48.07 | 95.21 | 143.28 | ||
| 2009 | 5.19 | 10.28 | 15.47 | 40.66 | 80.53 | 121.19 | ||
| 2010 | 5.97 | 11.82 | 17.79 | 46.15 | 91.37 | 137.52 |
Income access share arrangements have been put in place by the Company. The mechanics of the income access share arrangements mean that the Company will declare a second interim rather than a final dividend. The Board has no plans to announce any additional dividend in respect of the year ended 31 December 2010. 1
The 2010 first interim dividend was paid on 8 November 2010 to share owners on the register at 8 October 2010. The 2010 second interim dividend is expected to be paid on 4 July 2011 to share owners on the register at 3 June 2011.
Fluctuations in the exchange rate between the pound sterling and the US dollar will affect the dollar equivalent of the pound sterling prices of the Company's ordinary shares on The London Stock Exchange Limited (The London Stock Exchange) and, as a result, are likely to affect the market price of the ADSs in the United States. US dollar amounts paid to holders of ADSs also depend on the sterling/US dollar exchange rate at the time of payment.
The following table sets forth for each of the most recent six months, the high and low Bloomberg Closing Mid Point rates. As of 18 April 2011, the Bloomberg Closing Mid Point rate was 1.6247.
| Month ended | High | Low |
|---|---|---|
| 31 October 2010 | 1.6020 | 1.5685 |
| 30 November 2010 | 1.6257 | 1.5556 |
| 31 December 2010 | 1.5884 | 1.5371 |
| 31 January 2011 | 1.6033 | 1.5495 |
| 28 February 2011 | 1.6250 | 1.6006 |
| 31 March 2011 | 1.6381 | 1.5986 |
The annual average of the Bloomberg Closing Mid Point rate for pounds sterling expressed in US dollars for each of the five years ended 31 December was:
| Year ended 31 December | Average |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1.8432 |
| 2007 | 2.0019 |
| 2008 | 1.8524 |
| 2009 | 1.5667 |
| 2010 | 1.5461 |
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The Company is subject to a variety of possible risks that could adversely impact its revenues, results of operations or financial condition. Some of these risks relate to the industries in which the Company operates while others are more specific to the Company. The table below sets out principal risks the Company has identified that could adversely affect it. See also the discussion of Forward-Looking Statements preceding Item 1.
| Risk | Potential Impact |
|---|---|
| Clients | |
| The Group competes for clients in a highly competitive industry and client loss may reduce market share and |
Competitors include large multinational advertising and marketing communication companies and regional and national marketing services companies. |
| decrease profits. | New market participants include database marketing and modeling companies, telemarketers and internet companies. |
| Service agreements with clients are generally terminated by the client on 90 days' notice and many clients put their advertising and communications business up for competitive review from time to time. The ability to attract new clients and to retain existing clients may also in some cases be limited by clients' policies about conflicts of interest. |
|
| The Group receives a significant portion of its revenues from a limited number of large clients and the loss of these clients could adversely impact the Group's prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations. |
A relatively small number of clients contribute a significant percentage of the Group's consolidated revenues. The Group's 10 largest clients accounted for almost 18% of revenues in the year ended 31 December 2010. Clients generally are able to reduce advertising and marketing spend or cancel projects on short notice. The loss of one or more of the Group's largest clients, if not replaced by new client accounts or an increase in business from existing clients, would adversely affect the Group's financial condition. |
| Corporate Responsibility | |
| The social and environmental impact of our work for clients. |
The operating companies across 107 countries may not always consider the social and environmental impact of their work. |
| Damage to WPP's reputation from undertaking controversial client work. |
The operating companies may undertake controversial client accounts and may not always consider the impact on the Group. |
| Marketing ethics, compliance with marketing standards, and increasing transparency about our marketing practices. |
Our work may not always comply with all laws and industry codes governing marketing material. |
| Compliance with privacy and data protection regulations. | Increased regulation unless the operating companies meet best practice standards, contribute to the debate on privacy, increase transparency for consumers on how their data are obtained and used. |
| Employment, including diversity and equal opportunities, business ethics, employee development, remuneration, communication and health and safety. |
Failing to meet standards on diversity and gender would impact the perception of the Group and quality of work. |
| Climate change, including the emissions from energy used in our offices and during business travel. |
Negative cost and reputational impact if the Group failed to meet target to reduce per head carbon intensity to 1.2 tonnes by 2020 (from 3.3 tonnes in 2006). |
| Economic | |
| The Group's businesses are subject to economic and political cycles. Many of the economies in which the Group operates have significant economic challenges. |
Reduction in client spending or postponing spending on the services offered by the Group or switching of client expenditure to non-traditional media and renegotiation of contract terms leading to reduced profitability and cash flow. |
| Financial | |
| Currency exchange rate fluctuations could adversely impact the Group's consolidated results. |
The Company's reporting currency is pounds sterling. Given the Group's significant international operations, changes in exchange rates cause fluctuations in the Company's results when measured in pounds sterling. |
| Risk | Potential Impact |
|---|---|
| Financial (continued) | |
| Changes to the Group's debt issue ratings by the rating agencies Moody's Investor Services and Standard and Poor's Rating Service may affect the Group's access to debt capital. |
If the Company's financial performance and outlook materially deteriorate, a ratings downgrade could occur and the interest rates and fees payable on certain of the Company's revolving credit facilities could be increased. |
| The Group may be unable to collect balances due from any client that files for bankruptcy or becomes insolvent. |
The Group is generally paid in arrears for its services. Invoices are typically payable within 30 to 60 days. |
| The Group commits to media and production purchases on behalf of some of its clients as principal or agent depending on the client and market circumstances. If a client is unable to pay sums due, media and production companies may look to the Group to pay such amounts to which it committed as an agent on behalf of those clients. |
|
| Mergers & Acquisitions | |
| The Group may be unsuccessful in evaluating material risks involved in completed and future acquisitions and may be unsuccessful in integrating any acquired operations with its existing businesses. |
The Group regularly reviews potential acquisitions of businesses that are complementary to its operations and clients needs. If material risks are not identified prior to acquisition or the Group experiences difficulties in integrating an acquired business, it may not realise the expected benefits from such acquisition and the Group's financial condition could be adversely affected. |
| Goodwill and other intangible assets recorded on the Group's balance sheet with respect to acquired companies may become impaired. |
The Group has a significant amount of goodwill and other intangible assets recorded on its balance sheet with respect to acquired companies. The Group annually tests the carrying value of goodwill and other intangibles for impairment. The estimates and assumptions about results of operations and cash flows made in connection with impairment testing could differ from future results of operations and cash flows. Future events could cause the Group to conclude that the asset values associated with a given operation have become impaired which could have a material impact on the Group's financial condition. |
| Operational | |
| The Group operates in 107 countries and is exposed to the risks of doing business internationally. |
The Group's international operations are subject to exchange rate fluctuations, restrictions and/or taxation on repatriations of earnings, social, political and economic instability, conflicts of laws and interpretation of contracts. |
| People | |
| The Group's performance could be adversely affected if it were unable to attract and retain key talent or had inadequate talent management and succession planning for key management roles. |
The Group is highly dependent on the talent, creative abilities and technical skills of our personnel as well as their relationships with clients. The Group is vulnerable to the loss of personnel to competitors and clients leading to disruption to the business. |
| Regulatory/Legal | |
| The Group may be subject to regulations affecting its activities. |
Governments, government agencies and industry self-regulatory bodies from time to time adopt statutes and regulations that directly or indirectly affect the form, content and scheduling of advertising, public relations and public affairs and market research or otherwise limit the scope of the activities of the Group and its clients which could have a material adverse impact on our financial position. Changes in tax laws or their application may also adversely affect the Group's reported results. |
| The Group may be exposed to liabilities from allegations that certain of its clients' advertising claims may be false or misleading or that its clients' products may be defective. |
The Group may be, or may be joined as a defendant, in litigation brought against its clients in respect of services provided by the Group. |
| The Group operates in 107 countries and is subject to increased anti-corruption legislation and enforcement not only in the US and UK. |
The Group may be exposed to liabilities in the event of breaches of anti-corruption legislation. |
| Civil liabilities or judgements against the Company or its directors or officers based on U.S. federal or state securities laws may not be enforceable in the U.S. or in England and Wales or in Jersey. |
The Company is a public limited company incorporated under the laws of Jersey. Some of the Company's directors and officers reside outside of the United States. In addition, a substantial portion of the directly owned assets of the Company are located outside of the United States. As a result, it may be difficult or impossible for investors to effect service of process within the United States against the Company or its directors and officers or to enforce against them any of the judgements, including those obtained in original actions or in actions to enforce judgements of the U.S, courts, predicated upon the civil liability provisions of the federal or state securities laws of the United States. |
The Company operates through a number of established global, multinational and national advertising and marketing services companies that are organised into four business segments. Our largest segment is Advertising and Media Investment Management where we operate the well-known advertising networks Ogilvy & Mather, JWT, Y&R, Grey, Bates 141 and the United Network, as well as Media Investment Management companies such as MediaCom, MEC, Mindshare and Maxus. Our other segments are Consumer Insight, where our operations are conducted through Kantar; Public Relations & Public Affairs, where we operate through well-known companies such as Burson-Marsteller, Cohn & Wolfe, Hill & Knowlton and Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide; and Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications, where our operations are conducted by B to D Group, ghg, Wunderman, Sudler & Hennessey, OgilvyOne Worldwide, Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide, G2, OgilvyAction, 24/7 Real Media Inc and other companies.
The Company's ordinary shares are admitted to the Official List of the UK Listing Authority and trade on The London Stock Exchange and American Depositary Shares (which are evidenced by ADRs or held in book-entry form) representing deposited ordinary shares are quoted on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (NASDAQ). At 14 April 2011 the Company had a market capitalisation of £9,159 million.
The Company's executive office is located at 6 Ely Place, Dublin 2, Ireland, Tel: 011-353-1-669-0333 and its registered office is located at 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE4 8PX.
WPP plc was incorporated in Jersey on 12 September 2008.
On 19 November 2008, under a scheme of arrangement between WPP 2008 Limited (formerly WPP Group plc), (Old WPP), the former holding company of the Group, and its share owners under Part 26 of the Companies Act 2006, and as sanctioned by the High Court, all the issued shares in that company were cancelled and the same number of new shares were issued to WPP plc in consideration for the allotment to share owners of one ordinary share in WPP plc for each ordinary share in WPP 2008 Limited held on the record date, 18 November 2008. Citibank, N.A., depositary for the ADSs representing Old WPP ordinary shares, cancelled Old WPP ADSs held in book-entry uncertificated form in the direct registration system maintained by it and issued ADSs representing ordinary shares of the Company in book entry uncertificated form in the direct registration system maintained by it to the holders. Holders of certificated ADSs, or ADRs, of Old WPP were entitled to receive Company ADSs upon surrender of the Old WPP ADRs to the Depositary. Each Old WPP ADS represented five ordinary shares of Old WPP and each Company ADS represents five ordinary shares of the Company.
As part of the scheme of arrangement noted above, 1,252,652,646 ordinary shares were issued at a price of 340.75 pence each. On 24 November 2008 the entire balance standing to the credit of the share premium account was transferred to retained earnings as sanctioned by The Royal Court of Jersey. As a result £4,143.1 million was added to retained earnings for both WPP plc and the Group. For the Company this amount is distributable.
Pursuant to Rule 12g-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), WPP plc succeeded to Old WPP's registration and periodic reporting obligations under the Exchange Act.
Old WPP became the holding company of the WPP Group on or about 25 October 2005 when the company now known as WPP 2005 Limited, the original holding company of the WPP Group, completed a reorganisation of its capital and corporate structure. WPP 2005 Limited (formerly WPP Group plc) was incorporated and registered in England and Wales in 1971 and is a private limited company under the Companies Act 1985, and until 1985 operated as a manufacturer and distributor of wire and plastic products. In 1985, new investors acquired a significant interest in WPP and changed the strategic direction of the Company from being a wire and plastics manufacturer and distributor to being a multinational communications services organisation. Since then, the Company has grown both organically and by the acquisition of companies, most significantly the acquisitions of JWT Group, Inc. in 1987, The Ogilvy Group, Inc. in 1989, Young & Rubicam Inc. (Young & Rubicam or Young & Rubicam Brands, as the group is now known) in 2000, Tempus Group plc (Tempus) in 2001, Cordiant Communications Group plc (Cordiant) in 2003, Grey Global Group, Inc. (Grey) in 2005, 24/7 Real Media Inc (TFSM) in 2007 and Taylor Nelson Sofres plc (TNS) in 2008.
The Company spent £295.9 million (excluding cash and cash equivalents acquired), £196.6 million and £1,054.0 million for acquisitions and investments in 2010, 2009 and 2008, respectively, including payments in respect of loan note redemptions and earnout consideration resulting from acquisitions in prior years. For the same periods, cash spent on purchases of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets was £217.5 million, £253.3 million and £220.6 million, respectively, and cash spent on share repurchases and cancellations was £46.4 million, £9.5 million and £112.2 million, respectively.
The Company's business comprises the provision of communications services on a national, multinational and global basis. It operates from almost 2,400 offices in 107 countries including associates. The Company organises its businesses in the following areas: Advertising and Media Investment Management; Consumer Insight; Public Relations & Public Affairs; and Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications (including direct, digital, promotion and relationship marketing).
Approximately 40% of the Company's reported revenues in 2010 were from Advertising and Media Investment Management, with the remaining 60% of its revenues being derived from the business segments of Consumer Insight; Public Relations & Public Affairs; and Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications.
The following table shows, for the last three fiscal years, reported revenue attributable to each business segment in which the Company operates.
| Revenue | 2010 | % of Total in 2010 |
2009 1 |
% of Total in 2009 |
2008 1 |
% of Total in 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (£m) | (£m) | (£m) | ||||
| Advertising and Media Investment Management | 3,733.3 | 40.0 | 3,420.5 | 39.3 | 3,380.2 | 45.2 |
| Consumer Insight | 2,430.2 | 26.0 | 2,297.1 | 26.5 | 1,301.8 | 17.4 |
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 844.5 | 9.1 | 795.7 | 9.2 | 752.3 | 10.1 |
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist | ||||||
| Communications | 2,323.0 | 24.9 | 2,171.0 | 25.0 | 2,042.6 | 27.3 |
Total 9,331.0 100.0 8,684.3 100.0 7,476.9 100.0 2009 and 2008 comparatives have been restated to reflect the transfer of certain revenues of RMG from Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications to Advertising and Media Investment Management. 1
The following table shows, for the last three fiscal years, reported revenue attributable to each geographic area in which the Company operates and demonstrates the Company's regional diversity.
| Revenue | 2010 | % of Total in 2010 |
2009 | % of Total in 2009 |
2008 | % of Total in 2008 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (£m) | (£m) | (£m) | ||||
| North America 1 |
3,299.8 | 35.3 | 3,010.0 | 34.7 | 2,603.2 | 34.8 |
| United Kingdom | 1,087.6 | 11.7 | 1,029.0 | 11.8 | 954.2 | 12.8 |
| Western Continental Europe 2 |
2,325.3 | 24.9 | 2,327.8 | 26.8 | 1,879.1 | 25.1 |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and | ||||||
| Central & Eastern Europe | 2,618.3 | 28.1 | 2,317.5 | 26.7 | 2,040.4 | 27.3 |
| Total | 9,331.0 | 100.0 | 8,684.3 | 100.0 | 7,476.9 | 100.0 |
| 1 North America includes the US with revenues of £3,097.9 million (2009: £2,835.8 million, 2008: £2,444.7 million). |
Western Continental Europe includes Ireland with revenues of £37.4 million (2009: £43.4 million, 2008: £41.3 million). 2
The Company's principal activities within each of its business segments are described below.
The principal functions of an advertising agency are the planning and creation of marketing and branding campaigns and the design and production of advertisements for all types of media such as television, cable, the internet, radio, magazines, newspapers and outdoor locations such as billboards.
The Company's principal advertising agencies include Ogilvy & Mather, JWT, Y&R, Grey, United Network and Bates 141. The Company also owns interests in Asatsu-DK (24.3%); CHI & Partners Limited (49.9%); GIIR, Inc (22.7%) and The Jupiter Drawing Room & Partners (49.0%).
Ogilvy & Mather is a full-service multinational advertising agency. Ogilvy & Mather was formed in 1948 and is headquartered in New York. Its strategy includes an integrated service offering known as 360 Degree Brand Stewardship , a business platform that enables Ogilvy & Mather to integrate its growing range of disciplines which includes OgilvyAction, Ogilvy's brand activation company, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide (OPR), Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide and Neo@Ogilvy. ®
JWT, one of the world's first advertising agencies, was founded in 1864 and is a full service multinational advertising agency headquartered in New York. JWT's relationships with a number of its major clients have been in existence for many years, exhibiting, management believes, an ability to adapt to meet the clients' and market's new demands.
Y&R, a full-service multinational advertising agency network headquartered in New York, was formed in 1923 and is now part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary model under Young & Rubicam Brands. Y&R's clients also benefit from Y&R's continued investment in its proprietary brand management tool, BrandAsset Valuator. ®
Grey commenced operations in 1917 and was incorporated in 1925 as Grey Advertising Inc. Grey has offices in approximately 96 countries.
United Network. In 2005, WPP's Red Cell network was split in two parts, with several of the former Red Cell offices forming the United Network. United Network now includes Senora Rushmore United, Madrid; Berlin Cameron United, New York; Cole & Weber United, Seattle; 1861 United, Milan; LDV United, Antwerp; BTS United, Oslo; and Les Ouvriers du Paradis United, Paris.
Bates 141 is an Asia-dedicated advertising and brand activation network.
GroupM is WPP's global media investment management operation, serving as the parent company to agencies including MediaCom, MEC, Mindshare and Maxus. With its agencies, GroupM has capabilities in business science, consumer insight, communications and media planning implementation, interactions, content development, and sports and entertainment marketing. The primary purpose of GroupM is to maximise the performance of WPP's media agencies, operating not only as a parent company but as a collaborator on performance-enhancing activities, such as trading, content creation, sports, digital, finance, tool development and other business-critical capabilities, in order to leverage the combination of GroupM's core and talent resources.
MediaCom became part of GroupM following the Grey acquisition in March 2005 and, as part of WPP, is able to work together with sister media agencies, developing synergies in a number of relevant professional areas.
MEC was formed following the Group's acquisition of Tempus in 2001 with the merger of its core brand CIA with The MediaEdge. In addition to its media planning and implementation capability, MEC has established and is growing its operations in interaction (digital, direct & search), entertainment marketing, sports, sponsorship and event marketing, cause-related marketing, content development, return on investment (ROI) and consumer insights, and is now developing a retail marketing practice.
Mindshare was originally formed from the merger of the media departments of JWT and Ogilvy & Mather. Mindshare has made significant investments in developing strategic resources, especially in the areas of communications planning, content, insights, digital and ROI, with its ambition moving from being marketing partners for their clients to being their business partners.
Maxus is a global communications consultancy, spanning across 60 offices in 50 countries, which helps marketers build interactive relationships between consumers and their brands.
tenthavenue, launched in March 2011, integrates some of the Group's key specialist media offerings in online, mobile, experiential and out of home (OOH) communications in a single company. tenthavenue's focus is on delivering tailored audiences and outcomes across multi-channels and devices, reaching specific audiences as they go about their daily lives. It incorporates lifestyle and environments agency Kinetic Worldwide; custom communication and in-flight publisher Spafax; performance marketing specialist Quisma; and mobile marketing agency Joule.
To help optimise its worldwide research offering to clients, the Company's separate global research and strategic marketing consultancy businesses, which are described below, are managed on a centralised basis under the umbrella of the Kantar Group. In 2009 the Kantar Group announced a major re-organisation to strengthen its position as the world's leading consumer insight business and streamline its offer for clients. The re-organisation simplified the Group's overall offering through a series of structural changes, building on the acquisition of TNS in October 2008. The principal interests comprising the Kantar Group are:
The TNS Custom business and Research International were merged in 2009. The new global company is known as TNS. This custom research company specialises in a wide range of business sectors and areas of marketplace information including strategic market studies, brand positioning and equity research, customer satisfaction surveys, product development, international research and advanced modeling.
In addition, following the acquisition of TNS four dedicated vertical sector operating units were established using the Kantar name:
Millward Brown (MB) is one of the world's leading companies in advertising research, including pre-testing, tracking and sales modeling, and offers a full range of services to help clients market their brands more effectively.
The Futures Company is a global trends and futures research and consultancy business.
Public Relations & Public Affairs companies advise clients who are seeking to communicate with consumers, governments and/or the business and financial communities. Public Relations & Public Affairs activities include national and international corporate, financial and marketing communications, crisis management, reputation management, public affairs and government lobbying. The Company's global networks in this area included Burson-Marsteller, Hill & Knowlton, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide and Cohn & Wolfe.
Burson-Marsteller (B-M), founded in 1953 and now part of Young & Rubicam Brands, specialises in corporate and marketing communications, business-to-business services, crisis management, employee relations and government relations. The B-M network includes the businesses of Marsteller, a full service multimedia agency, and public affairs companies, Quinn Gillespie, Dewey Square Group and Penn, Schoen & Berland.
Hill & Knowlton (H&K), founded in 1927, is a worldwide public relations and public affairs firm headquartered in New York. H&K provides national and multinational clients with a wide range of communications services including corporate and financial public relations, marketing communications, internal communication, change management, crisis communications and public affairs counseling. The Hill & Knowlton network also includes the businesses of Blanc & Otus, H&K's stand-alone technology company, and Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates. In 2011, H&K merged with another of WPP's public affairs companies, Public Strategies Inc. The combined entity trades under the H&K name.
Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide is part of the Ogilvy & Mather worldwide network. OPR is a leading public relations and public affairs firm based in New York with practice areas in marketing, health and medical, corporate public affairs and technology and social marketing. The firm has offices in key financial, governmental and media centres as well as relationships with affiliates worldwide.
Cohn & Wolfe (C&W), a Young & Rubicam Brands company, is an international public relations agency established in 1970. It offers marketing-related public relations for its clients and provides its clients with business results and marketing communications solutions. In 2008 C&W merged with Grey Group's public relations network, GCI.
The Company's activities in this business area include branding and identity; healthcare communications; direct, digital, promotion & relationship marketing; and specialist communications including custom media, demographic and sector marketing, sports marketing, and media and film production services.
B to D Group. This branding and design entity, formed in 2005, consists of Landor Associates (a Young & Rubicam Brands company), The Brand Union, VBAT, Addison Corporate Marketing, Lambie-Nairn, The Partners, FITCH and PeclersParis. The mission of the B to D Group is to maximise and leverage the strengths of each individual company in order to offer clients and prospects the most complete and compelling branding and design solutions. As part of the Group, the companies have access to new clients and untapped markets, as well as resources such as advanced knowledge sharing systems and financial tools. Employee exchange further enables the companies to share top-level strategic thinking, creativity and cultural knowledge.
BDGMcColl. BDGMcColl, Edinburgh-based architects and interior designers, specialise in the design of commercial buildings and interiors.
BDGworkfutures. BDGworkfutures is an international design consultancy focusing on strategy and design for working environments, working with corporate clients and within the Government sector.
The Company has extensive expertise in healthcare communications, including the global networks of GCI Health, Sudler & Hennessey (a Young & Rubicam Brands company), Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide (part of the Ogilvy & Mather network) and ghg (part of Grey Group).
The Company has a number of operating businesses in this category, including:
VML, headquartered in Kansas City and part of Young & Rubicam Brands, which specialises in digital and interactive services;
Wunderman, part of Young & Rubicam Brands, which is an integrated marketing solutions company that delivers customer relationship management services to its clients. Since 2005, Wunderman has acquired several digital companies, including Aqua Online, AGENDA, Blast Radius, ZAAZ, Actis Systems, Kassius and Designkitchen, to enhance its offer to clients; and
• Forward is a full service custom media specialist, whose services include magazines, catalogues, magalogues, mini-zines, e-zines, web content and direct mail.
• The Bravo Group, MosaicaMD, Kang & Lee and WING create multicultural marketing and communications programmes targeted to the fast-growing US Hispanic, African-American and Asian communities. Their multidisciplinary services include advertising, promotion and event marketing, public relations, research and direct marketing. The Bravo Group, MosaicaMD and Kang & Lee are part of Young & Rubicam Brands. WING is part of Grey Group.
• MJM is a full-service communications company for live events, meetings, exhibits, trade shows, brand theatre and training, serving clients around the world.
• The Food Group specialises in targeted food advertising, marketing, and culinary and technology solutions.
• The Geppetto Group assists clients in communicating their products and services to the youth market (children and teenagers) and implementing creative branding solutions.
• Pace is one of the largest specialists in the real estate communications market in the US, offering comprehensive services in the marketing of both commercial and residential property to developers, builders and real estate agents.
WPP Digital provides access for WPP companies and their clients to a portfolio of digital talent and expertise, platforms and partnerships. WPP Digital comprises full-service interactive agencies, including Possible Worldwide (through the merger of Schematic, BLUE, Bridge Worldwide and Quasar in February 2011), Blue State Digital, production services company Deliver; and technology-led digital marketing company 24/7 Real Media Inc. In addition, WPP Digital holds minority investments in businesses providing creative services, analytics, mobile marketing, in-game advertising, video and social networking services.
The original business of the Group remains as the manufacturing division, which operates through subsidiaries of Wire and Plastic Products Limited. The division produces a wide range of products for commercial, industrial and retail applications.
WPP and its offices in Dublin, London, New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Sao Paulo develop the professional and financial strategy of the Group, promote operating efficiencies, coordinate cross referrals of clients among the Group companies and monitor the financial performance of its operating companies. The principal activity of the Group continues to be the provision of communications and marketing services worldwide. WPP acts only as the parent company and does not trade. The parent company complements the operating companies in three distinct ways.
The parent company operates with a limited group of approximately 350 people.
Our reason for being, the justification for WPP's existence, continues to be to add value to our clients' businesses and our people's careers. Our goal remains to be the world's most successful provider of communications services to multinational and local companies, not just the largest.
The Group has three strategic priorities.
We focus our efforts on the issues we have identified as being most material (relevant and significant) to WPP. We consider five corporate responsibility issues to be of significance to WPP.
The Group services 336 of the Fortune Global 500, 29 of the Dow Jones 30, 61 of the NASDAQ 100, 35 of the Fortune e-50 and 708 national or multinational clients are served in three or more disciplines. More than 460 clients are served in four disciplines and these clients account for over 57% of Group revenues. The Group also works with over 340 clients across six or more countries. The Company's 10 largest clients in 2010, measured by revenues, were, British American Tobacco p.l.c., Dell Inc., Ford Motor Company, GlaxoSmithkline plc, Johnson & Johnson, Kraft Foods, Inc., Microsoft
Corporation, Nestlé S.A., The Procter & Gamble Company and Unilever PLC. Together, these clients accounted for approximately 18% of the Company's revenues in 2010. No client of the Company represented more than 5% of the Company's aggregate revenues in 2010. The Group's companies have maintained long-standing relationships with many of its clients, with an average length of relationship for the top 10 clients of approximately 50 years.
During 2010, acquisitions and increased equity stakes were focused on Advertising and Media Investment Management in Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Poland, Israel, Brazil, Colombia, Hong Kong, India and South Korea; on Consumer Insight in Poland, Hungary, Cyprus, Chile and Guatemala; on Public Relations & Public Affairs in the UK, Germany, Poland and Turkey; on direct, digital and interactive in the US, the UK, Germany, Brazil, China and Singapore; and on Healthcare Communications in the US, the UK and the Czech Republic. Total initial cash consideration spent on these acquisitions and investments, less cash and cash equivalents acquired, was £120.5 million in 2010.
From time to time, governments, government agencies and industry self-regulatory bodies in the United States, European Union and other countries in which the Company operates have adopted statutes, regulations, and rulings which directly or indirectly affect the form, content, and scheduling of advertising, public relations and public affairs, and market research, or otherwise limit the scope of the activities of the Company and its clients. Some of the foregoing relate to privacy and data protection and general considerations such as truthfulness, substantiation and interpretation of claims made, comparative advertising, relative responsibilities of clients and advertising, public relations and public affairs firms, and registration of public relations and public affairs firms' representation of foreign governments.
In addition, there is an increasing trend towards expansion of specific rules, prohibitions, media restrictions, labeling disclosures and warning requirements with respect to advertising for certain products, such as over-the-counter drugs and pharmaceuticals, cigarettes, food and certain alcoholic beverages, and to certain groups, such as children. Proposals have been made for the adoption of additional laws and regulations that could further restrict the activities of advertising, public relations and public affairs, and market research firms and their clients. Though the Company does not expect any existing or proposed regulations to materially adversely impact the Company's business, the Company is unable to estimate the effect on its future operations of the application of existing statutes or regulations or the extent or nature of future regulatory action.
The Company's business comprises the provision of communications services on a national, multinational and global basis. It operates out of almost 2,400 offices in 107 countries including associates. For a list of the Company's principal subsidiary undertakings and their jurisdictions of incorporation see note 29 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The Company organises its businesses in the following areas: Advertising and Media Investment Management; Consumer Insight; Public Relations & Public Affairs; and Branding & Identity, Healthcare & Specialist Communications (including direct, digital, promotion and relationship marketing). A listing of the Group brands operating within these business segments as at April 2011 is set forth below.
ADK Bates 141 BrandBuzz CHI & Partners Dentsu Y&R Grey HS Ad JWT Ogilvy & Mather Santo Scangroup Soho Square Tapsa TAXI Team Detroit The Jupiter Drawing Room & Partners United Network Y&R 1 4 1 1, 2, 4 1 1 1 4
GroupM: Maxus MediaCom MEC Mindshare Outrider Catalyst Other media agencies: KR Media tenthavenue: Kinetic Worldwide Quisma Spafax 1
Kantar: Added Value Center Partners IMRB International Kantar Health Kantar Japan Kantar Media Kantar Operations Kantar Retail Kantar Worldpanel Lightspeed Research Millward Brown
The Futures Company TNS Other marketing consultancies: Everystone ohal 7
Blanc & Otus Buchanan Communications Burston-Marsteller Chime Communications PLC Clarion Communications Cohn & Wolfe Dewey Square Group Finsbury Hill & Knowlton Ogilvy Government Relations Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide The PBN Company Penn Schoen Berland Prime Policy Group Public Strategies Quinn Gillespie Robinson Lerer & Montgomery Wexler & Walker Public Policy Associates 8 4 1 4 1 4 8 4 8
6
Addison Corporate Marketing BDGMcColl BDGworkfutures Coley Porter Bell Dovetail FITCH Lambie-Nairn Landor Associates PeclersParis The Brand Union The Partners VBAT 6 6 4, 6 6 6 6 6
Feinstein Kean Healthcare GCI Health ghg Ogilvy CommonHealth Worldwide Sudler & Hennessey 9 4
A. Eicoff & Co Actis Systems AGENDA Aqua Online Blast Radius Brierley & Partners Designkitchen Dialogue 141 Digit EWA FullSIX Grass Roots G2 -G2 Branding & Design -G2 Interactive -G2 Direct & Digital -G2 Promotional Marketing Headcount Worldwide Field Marketing High Co Kassius KBM Group Mando Brand Assurance Maxx Marketing OgilvyAction OgilvyOne Worldwide OgilvyAction Sports & Entertainment Marketing OOT RTCM Smollan Group Studiocom These Days Vice Media VML Wunderman ZAAZ 5 5 55 1 5 3 1 1 5 5 2 4 1 4 53 4 4 5
Corporate/B2B Ogilvy Primary Contact Custom media Forward Demographic marketing The Bravo Group Kang & Lee MosaicaMD UniWorld WING Employer branding/recruitment JWT Inside Event/face-to-face marketing MJM Metro Foodservice marketing The Food Group 4 4 1 4
Sports marketing PRISM Group Entertainment marketing Alliance Youth marketing The Geppetto Group Real estate marketing Pace Technology marketing Banner Corporation Media & production services The Farm Group Hogarth Worldwide Imagina MRC The Weinstein Company 42 3 3 3
24/7 Real Media Blue State Digital Deliver Fabric Worldwide iconmobile Johannes Leonardo Possible Worldwide Syzygy The Media Innovation Group True Worldwide 3 1 3 1 3
Ace Metrix Buddy Media eCommera HDT Holdings Technology In Game Ad Interactive Invidi Jumptap LiveWorld Moment Systems Proclivity Systems Say Media Visible Technologies Visible World WildTangent Yield Software 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 33 3 1 33 3
The Store
The majority of the Company's properties are leased, although certain properties which are used mainly for office space are owned. In the United States owned properties include the 370,000 net square foot Young & Rubicam headquarters office building located at 285 Madison Avenue in New York, New York and the 152,000 square foot TNS property located near Toledo, Ohio. Other owned properties are in Latin America (principally in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, Peru and Puerto Rico), Asia (India and China) and in Europe (Spain, France, UK and Italy). In Europe owned properties include the 135,626 square foot TNS office located at 2 Rue Francis Pedron, Chambourcy, Paris, France and the 101,592 square foot TNS House at Westgate, Hangar Lane, London. Manufacturing facilities are owned in the United Kingdom. Principal leased properties, which are accounted for as operating leases, include office space at the following locations:
| Approximate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Location | Use | square footage |
| 636 Eleventh Avenue, New York, NY | Ogilvy & Mather | 554,800 |
| 498 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY | GroupM, Mindshare, Maxus, | |
| Mediacom | 358,000 | |
| 200 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY | Grey Global Group, Cohn & | |
| Wolfe | 343,000 | |
| 500/550 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, MI | Team Detroit, JWT, Ogilvy & | |
| Mather, Y&R Advertising, | ||
| PRISM, Burrows, ZAAZ | 282,900 | |
| 466 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY | JWT | 270,300 |
| 230 Park Ave South, New York, NY | Burson-Marsteller, | |
| Landor, Sudler & Hennessey | 265,800 |
The Company considers its properties, owned or leased, to be in good condition and generally suitable and adequate for the purposes for which they are used. As of 31 December 2010, the fixed asset value (cost less depreciation) representing land, freehold buildings and lease-hold buildings as reflected in the Company's consolidated financial statements was approximately £418.8 million.
In 2010 we were able to reduce our property portfolio by almost 4% to 22.8 million sq ft as a result of shedding excess space created by the integration of the custom business of TNS with Research International and, sadly, as a result of the severance program that saw our staff numbers decline by over 12% in 2009.
The combination of revenue growth and reduction in portfolio enabled us to reduce the establishment cost-torevenue ratio from 8.0% in 2009 to 7.0% in 2010, equal to our medium term goal. Average square foot per head fell slightly to 229 sq ft from 230 sq ft in 2009, although our target is to achieve 220 sq ft in 2011.
Our key property task is to maintain the 7% establishment cost-to-revenue ratio as we continue to grow the business, by focusing on the key metrics of space per head and cost per square foot on all our lease renewals.
See note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a schedule by years of future minimum rental payments to be made and future sublease rental payments to be received, as of 31 December 2010, under non-cancelable operating leases of the Company.
Not applicable.
The Company's reporting currency is the UK pound sterling. However, the Company's significant international operations give rise to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates. To neutralise foreign exchange impact and to better illustrate the underlying change in revenue and profit from one year to the next, the Company has adopted the practice of discussing results in both reportable currency (local currency results translated into pounds sterling at the prevailing foreign exchange rate) and constant currency (current and prior year local currency results translated into US dollars at a budget, or "constant", foreign exchange rate).
Certain Non GAAP measures included in this operating and financial review and prospects have been derived from amounts calculated in accordance with IFRS but are not themselves IFRS measures. They should not be viewed in isolation as alternatives to the equivalent IFRS measure, rather they should be read in conjunction with the equivalent IFRS measure. These include headline profit before interest and taxation (PBIT), headline PBIT margin (headline PBIT as a percent of revenues), constant currency, billings, free cash flow, and net and average net debt, which we define, explain the use of and reconcile to the nearest IFRS measure in the operating results overview below and on pages 21 and 28 to 30. In reviewing year on year revenue growth management also uses the measure of like-for-like revenue as discussed on page 21.
See Item 11 of this report for Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.
The Company is one of the world's most comprehensive marketing communications groups. It operates through a large number of established national, multinational and global advertising and marketing services companies. The Company offers services in four reporting segments:
In 2010, 40% of the Company's consolidated revenues were derived from Advertising and Media Investment Management, with the remaining 60% of its revenues being derived from the remaining three segments.
The following objectives represent the Group's key performance indicators.
Management uses headline PBIT to assess the performance of the business. Management believes that it is both useful and necessary to report headline PBIT because this measure is used by management for internal performance analysis; the presentation of this measure facilitates comparability with other companies who may use similar titled measures, although management's measure may not be calculated in the same way as similarly titled profit measures reported by
other companies, and it is useful in connection with discussion with the investment community. A reconciliation of this measure to profit before interest and taxation is provided in note 31 of the Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company, which appear elsewhere in this Form 20-F.
The following discussion is based on the Company's audited Consolidated Financial Statements beginning on page F-1 of this report. The Group's consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS as issued by the IASB.
Management reviews the Group's businesses in constant currency to better illustrate the underlying trends from one year to the next and also on a like-for-like basis, in which current year actual results on a constant currency basis (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 for the commensurate period in the prior year. Management believes that discussing like-for-like revenues provides a better understanding of the Company's revenue performance and trends because it allows for more meaningful comparisons of current period revenue to that of prior periods. The following table reconciles revenue growth for 2010 and 2009 to like-for-like revenue growth for the same periods.
| £m | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2008 Revenue | 7,477 | |
| Impact of exchange rate changes | 837 | 11.2% |
| Changes in scope of consolidation | 976 | 13.0% |
| Like-for-like decline | (606) | (8.1%) |
| 2009 Revenue | 8,684 | 16.1% |
| Impact of exchange rate changes | 159 | 1.8% |
| Changes in scope of consolidation | 26 | 0.3% |
| Like-for-like growth | 462 | 5.3% |
| 2010 Revenue | 9,331 | 7.4% |
Our reported revenue growth for the year of 7.4% reflected the comparative weakness of sterling against most currencies, other than the euro. On a constant currency basis, which excludes the impact of currency movements, revenues were up 5.6%.
On a like-for-like basis, excluding the impact of acquisitions and currency, revenues were up 5.3%, reflecting sequential quarterly improvement throughout the year. Revenue grew by 8.5% in the final quarter, the fastest rate of likefor-like quarterly growth since the fourth quarter of 2000. The month of December saw the first monthly double-digit growth rate since January 2001.
Throughout 2010 we have seen continued sequential improvement in our like-for-like quarterly revenue growth, with the final two quarters of the year at 7.5% and 8.5% respectively. This followed zero like-for-like growth in the first quarter and 4.7% in quarter two. This significant turnaround was directionally in line with our earlier forecasts (we anticipated likefor-like growth in the second quarter of 2010 as early as the third quarter trading update of 2009), but was considerably more violent than anticipated. In 2009, our budgets were optimistic anticipating like-for-like growth of -2%. In fact we came in at -8%. In 2010, on the other hand, we proved too pessimistic, budgeting like-for-like growth of zero and coming in at over 5%.
Performance of the Group's businesses is reviewed by management based on headline PBIT. A table showing these amounts by segment and geographical area for each of the three years ended 31 December 2010 is presented in note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. To supplement the reportable currency segment information presented in note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements, the tables below gives details of revenue growth by region and business segment on a reported, constant currency, and like-for-like basis.
| Reported Revenue growth %+/(-) |
Constant Currency Revenue growth %+/(-) |
Like-for-Like Revenue Growth %+/(-) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |
| North America | 9.6 | 15.6 | 7.7 | (0.7) | 7.6 | (8.1) |
| United Kingdom | 5.7 | 7.8 | 5.7 | 7.8 | 5.9 | (6.0) |
| Western Continental Europe 1 |
(0.1) | 23.9 | 2.7 | 12.8 | 1.9 | (10.2) |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and | ||||||
| Central & Eastern Europe | 13.0 | 13.6 | 5.6 | 4.3 | 5.6 | (6.8) |
| Total Group | 7.4 | 16.1 | 5.6 | 4.9 | 5.3 | (8.1) |
Western Continental Europe Includes Ireland. 1
Geographically, revenue growth continued to strengthen in the final quarter, particularly in the UK, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Africa and Australia, with the US and Asia (excluding Australia and New Zealand) maintaining the strong growth seen in the third quarter. Western Continental Europe remained difficult, with growth in the final quarter of just over 3%, with France, Spain, Greece, Ireland and Belgium still under pressure. The US continued the strong growth seen in the third quarter, up 9.8%. The UK showed its strongest growth of the year at 9.7%. Latin America was up 6.5% in the fourth quarter in constant currency, but on a like-for-like basis was up almost 15%, reflecting the disposal of a call centre business in Argentina in September. Asia, excluding Australia and New Zealand, grew at 13.6%, which was the same as the third quarter. Mainland China and India continued their strong growth with revenue up over 18% and almost 15% respectively in the final quarter. Other major markets in Asia also showed strong growth, including South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia and more surprisingly Japan, driven by Ogilvy, GroupM and Kantar. Markets
outside North America now account for 65% of our revenues, up from 61% five years ago. The influence of the fastergrowing markets outside North America is increasing rapidly.
| Reported Revenue growth %+/(-) |
Constant Currency Revenue growth %+/(-) |
Like-for-Like Revenue Growth %+/(-) |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |
| Advertising and Media Investment Management | 9.1 | 0.9 | 7.0 | (8.6) | 7.1 | (8.5) |
| Consumer Insight | 5.8 | 76.5 | 4.4 | 62.9 | 3.9 | (9.5) |
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 6.1 | 5.8 | 4.3 | (6.5) | 3.7 | (7.4) |
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist | ||||||
| Communications | 7.0 | 6.7 | 5.0 | (4.5) | 4.5 | (6.2) |
| Total Group | 7.4 | 16.1 | 5.6 | 4.9 | 5.3 | (8.1) |
The Group's Advertising and Media Investment Management businesses continued their strong growth, with constant currency revenues up 11.6% in the fourth quarter, the strongest quarterly growth in the year, with Media Investment Management up over 17% and Advertising up well over 7%.
The Group's Public Relations & Public Affairs businesses also had their strongest quarter, with revenues up 5.6%, compared with 5.1% in the third quarter and 3.2% in the first half. Consumer Insight also had a good quarter, with revenues up 5.3%, compared with 6.9% in the third quarter and 2.7% in the first half. The Group's Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications businesses (including direct, digital and interactive) grew by 7.3% on a constant currency basis, down slightly on the strong growth of 8.1% in the third quarter, but well ahead of the first half growth of 2.1%. However, on a like-for-like basis, revenues were up 7.2% in the fourth quarter compared with 7.1% in the third quarter, adjusting for the disposal of the call centre business mentioned earlier.
This continuing improvement was driven largely by our uniquely global direct, digital and interactive businesses, amongst others comprising OgilvyOne, with global revenues of over \$800 million, VML, with revenues over \$100 million and Wunderman, with global revenues over \$900 million. OgilvyInteractive, VML and Wunderman are three of the seven worldwide 'digital leaders', according to the leading independent digital research firm, Forrester Research. No other competitive group has more than one digital leader.
The Group has also recently announced the launch of Possible Worldwide, a global interactive marketing agency, formed through the combination of award-winning WPP digital agencies Schematic, Bridge Worldwide, BLUE and Quasar, with revenue of over \$100 million, with 18 offices and 1,000 staff worldwide, and with operations in the US, Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
In constant currencies, Advertising and Media Investment Management revenues grew by 7.0%, with like-for-like revenues up similarly at 7.1%. All of the Group's four largest advertising networks finished the year strongly, with growth in our Media Investment Management business over 13% in the year. Advertising showed sequential quarterly like-forlike growth in the last three quarters of 2010, following six quarters of decline. This strong revenue growth in 2010, together with the cost actions taken in 2009, resulted in the combined headline PBIT margin of this sector improving by approximately 1.5 margin points to 15.3%.
Consumer Insight revenues grew by 4.4% in constant currencies, with like-for-like revenues up similarly at 3.9%. Headline PBIT margins improved by 1.1 margin points to 9.7% as benefits resulting from the integration of TNS custom research and Research International and the other operations of both TNS and Kantar, in media, healthcare, retail and their related panel activities, were realised. Headline PBIT gross margins (headline PBIT as a proportion of gross profit rather than revenue) improved 1.5 margin points to 13.2%.
The Group's Public Relations & Public Affairs businesses had a strong end to the year, with constant currency revenue growth of 5.6% in quarter four, the highest quarter of the year. Headline PBIT margins rose by 0.5 margin points to 15.8%. Particularly strong performances were recorded by Burson-Marsteller and the Group's specialist public relations businesses.
The Group's Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications (including direct, digital and interactive) constant currency revenues grew by 5.0% in the year and 7.3% in the final quarter. The Group's global direct, digital and interactive agencies grew strongly, as did Branding & Identity with revenue up almost 11% in the final quarter. This service sector showed a strong recovery in headline PBIT margins, up 2.0 margin points to 12.4%.
Marketing services comprised 60% of our revenues in 2010, a similar proportion to 2009. It is no longer accurate to call us an advertising agency, we are really a communications services company.
Reported revenues were up 7.4% in 2010 to £9,331.0 million from £8,684.3 million in 2009. On a constant currency basis revenues were up 5.6% and on a like-for-like basis revenues were up 5.3%, see discussion on pages 22 to 24. In 2010 and 2009, acquisitions completed during the year had an immaterial impact on revenue.
Reported operating costs increased by 5.1%. Reported staff costs, excluding incentives, were up 3.2%. Incentive payments (including the cost of share-based compensation) increased 92.1% to £342 million from £178 million. On a reported basis, despite the almost doubling of incentive payments, the Group's staff cost-to-revenue ratio fell to 58.3% compared with 58.9% in 2009.
Together with the improved top-line growth, the Group has benefited from the cost actions taken, particularly towards the end of 2009, to adjust headcount and staff costs. On a like-for-like basis, average headcount has fallen by over 4%, compared with 2009, although given the substantial increase in like-for-like revenues of 8.0% in the second half of the year, our operating companies have begun to invest in more talent.
Revenue conversion post-incentives, that is incremental profit as a proportion of incremental revenue, was very strong at 33%, as our operating companies benefited from the actions to reduce both staff costs and other operating costs in 2009 and during 2010.
Part of the Group's strategy is to continue to ensure that variable staff costs (incentives, freelance and consultants costs) are a significant proportion of total staff costs and revenue, as this provides flexibility to deal with volatility in revenues and recessions or slow-downs. In 2010, the ratio of variable staff costs to total staff costs increased significantly to 13.4%, compared with 9.7% in 2009. As a proportion of revenue, variable staff costs were 7.8% in 2010 compared with 5.7% in 2009. These represent the highest ratios in the last 10 years. The business is, therefore, even better protected against economic downturns.
Reported PBIT rose over 25% to £1.028 billion in 2010 from £819 million in 2009 as a result of the above and reflecting a lower charge for goodwill impairment and amortisation of intangibles, partly offset by higher investment writedowns.
Finance income decreased to £81.7 million in 2010 from £150.4 million in 2009. Finance costs decreased to £276.8 million in 2010 from £355.4 million in 2009. Therefore, net finance costs were £195.1 million, down from £205.0 million last year, reflecting lower debt, partly offset by higher funding costs. Revaluation of financial instruments resulted in £18.2 million of income in 2010 and £48.9 million in 2009. The 2010 income is attributable to gains from movements in the fair value of treasury instruments.
The Company's effective tax rate on reported profit before tax in 2010 was 22.4%, a reduction of 1.1 percentage points from 2009, as a result of utilisation and recognition of losses and other temporary differences not previously recognised.
Profit for the year increased by 30.4% to £661.0 million in 2010 from £506.9 million in 2009 on a reported basis and increased by 23.7% in constant currency, reflecting higher profit margins and lower effective tax rate. In 2010, £586.0 million of profit for the year was attributable to equity holders of the parent and £75.0 million attributable to non-controlling interests.
Reported revenues were up 16.1% in 2009 to £8,684.3 million from £7,476.9 million in 2008 reflecting the strength of the euro and US dollar against sterling, as well as the impact of the first full-year inclusion of TNS in our results. On a constant currency basis revenues were up 4.9% and on a like-for-like basis revenues were down 8.1%, as detailed in the table on page 21. In 2009, acquisitions completed during the year had an immaterial impact on revenue. In 2008, acquisitions completed during the year contributed £376.3 million to revenue (£269.6 million was related to TNS).
Reported operating costs increased by 17.7%. Reported staff costs, excluding incentives, were up 19.4%. Incentive payments (including the cost of share-based compensation) fell by almost 17% to £177.8 million from £213.7 million. The Group's staff cost to revenue ratio increased to 58.9% compared with 58.2% in 2008. Part of the Group's strategy is to continue to ensure that variable staff costs (freelancers, consultants and incentive payments) are a significant proportion of total staff costs, as this provides flexibility to deal with volatility in revenues and recessions or slow-downs. In 2009, the ratio of variable staff costs to total staff costs fell to 9.7% compared with 11.4% in 2008. As a proportion of revenue, variable staff costs were 5.7% in 2009 compared with 6.6% in 2008.
Establishment costs as a proportion of revenues were 8.0% in 2009 compared to 7.0% in 2008. 2009 was a difficult year with our property portfolio. We were able to reduce it by 4% to 23.7 million sq. feet however it was not possible to adjust the property portfolio in line with the recession.
Goodwill impairment charges of £44.3 million and £84.1 million were recorded in the years ended 31 December 2009 and 2008, respectively. The impairment charges relate to certain under performing businesses in the Group. In certain markets, the impact of current local economic conditions and trading circumstances on these businesses was sufficiently severe to indicate impairment to the carrying value of goodwill. There were no impairment charges on acquired intangible assets in 2009. In 2008, an impairment charge was recorded for £1.5 million. Investment write-downs of £11.1 million and
£30.5 million were taken in the years ended 31 December 2009 and 2008, respectively. Intangible amortisation in 2009 increased by £94.2 million compared to 2008 due to a full year of amortisation related to intangibles established in connection with the acquisition of TNS.
The Group released £19.4 million in 2009 to operating profit relating to excess provisions and other balances established in respect of acquisitions completed prior to 2008 and £23.7 million in 2008 related to acquisitions completed prior to 2007.
Reported operating profit was down 13.0% to £761.7 million in 2009 from £876.0 million in 2008. Reported operating margins decreased to 8.8% from 11.7%. Reported profit before interest and taxation ("PBIT") was £818.7 million in 2009, down 11.2% from £922.0 million in 2008. Reported PBIT margins were 9.4% and 12.3% in 2009 and 2008, respectively. PBIT margins were negatively impacted by 2.6% in both years due to goodwill impairment, other goodwill and investment write-downs, and amortisation and impairment of acquired intangibles in each year. While the goodwill impairment charge in 2009 was lower by £39.8 million compared with 2008 and investment write-downs were lower by £19.4 million compared with 2008, intangibles amortisation in 2009 was higher by £94.2 million due to a full year of amortisation related to intangibles established in connection with the TNS acquisition. The impact of profits on disposal of investments was £31.1 million in 2009 and £3.4 million in 2008. Headline PBIT margin was 11.7% in 2009 against 15.0% last year. For 2009, the post-acquisition contribution of all acquisitions to the Group's operating profit was immaterial. For 2008 it was £30.3 million.
Finance income decreased to £150.4 million in 2009 from £169.6 million in 2008. Finance costs increased to £355.4 million in 2009 from £319.4 million in 2008. Therefore, net finance costs increased by £55.2 million, reflecting lower interest rates and higher average net debt as a result of the full year impact of the acquisition of TNS. Revaluation of financial instruments resulted in £48.9 million of income in 2009 and a charge of £25.4 million in 2008. The 2009 income is predominantly attributable to gains on termination of hedge accounting on repayment of TNS debt.
The Company's effective tax rate on reported profit before tax in 2009 was 23.5% compared to 31.2% in 2008. In 2008 there were significant expenses that were not deductible for tax purposes. In 2009 these expenses, such as goodwill impairment, were lower and were offset by other income that was not taxable such as the gain on disposal of investment and income attributable to the revaluation of financial instruments.
Profit for the year decreased by 1.3% to £506.9 million in 2009 from £513.9 million in 2008 on a reported basis and decreased by 14.2% in constant currency, reflecting lower profit margins partially offset by lower tax expense. In 2009, £437.7 million of profit for the year was attributable to equity holders of the parent and £69.2 million attributable to noncontrolling interests.
As in 2009, in management's opinion inflation did not have a material impact on the Company's results for the year or financial position at 31 December 2010.
See Item 11 for a discussion of the impact of currency exchange rate fluctuations on the Group's consolidated results.
General—The primary sources of funds for the Group are cash generated from operations and funds available under its credit facilities. The primary uses of cash funds in recent years have been for debt service and repayment, capital expenditures, acquisitions, share repurchases and cancellations and dividends. For a breakdown of the Company's sources and uses of cash see the "Consolidated Cash Flow Statement" included as part of the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 18 of this Report.
The Company spent £295.9 million (excluding cash and cash equivalents acquired) and £196.6 million for acquisitions and investments in 2010 and 2009, respectively, including payments on loan note redemptions and earnout consideration resulting from acquisitions in prior years. For the same periods, cash spent on purchases of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets was £217.5 million and £253.3 million, respectively, cash spent on share repurchases and buy-backs was £46.4 million and £9.5 million, respectively, and dividends paid were £200.4 million and £189.8 million, respectively.
Capital expenditure, which usually approximates the depreciation cost. Pressure here has eased as technology pricing has fallen, although we are increasing investment in our digital and technology-based service offering, in line with our strategic goals. In 2009, we also invested significantly more in real estate following lease renewals, particularly in New York, to secure greater efficiencies.
Mergers and acquisitions, which have historically taken the lion's share of free cash flow. Here we have raised the hurdle rate on capital employed so that our return on capital may be increased. Valuations remain reasonable, particularly outside the US, although some speculative froth does seem to have developed, especially in digital and interactive in the US and in some faster-growing markets, like Brazil. Our acquisition focus in 2010 was again on the triplet opportunities of faster-growing geographic markets, new technologies and consumer insights, totally consistent with our strategic priorities in the areas of geography, new communication services and measurability. The cost of the acquisition of TNS in 2008 was funded principally by debt. At the time of the transaction, we announced that, for the following two years, acquisitions would be limited to no more than £100 million per annum, the Group's share buy-back program would be targeted up to 1% per annum and dividend growth at up to 15% per annum, with the objective of using surplus cash generated to reduce debt. In 2010, the Group spent £97 million on initial acquisition payments, net of cash acquired and disposal proceeds, so within the target set. It is likely we will continue to focus on small and medium-sized acquisitions in 2011.
Dividends or share buy-backs. We continue to focus on examining the relative merits of dividends and share buybacks. Following the strong first half results in 2010, we re-instituted an increase in dividend with a 15% increase in the first interim dividend, the upper limit committed to at the time of the TNS acquisition. Following the continued improvement in profitability during the second half of 2010, the Board has also recommended an increase in the second interim dividend of 15%. This makes a total for the year of 17.79p per share, an all-time high for your Company. Dividends paid in 2010 were more than 3 times covered by profit for the year. The Board has also undertaken a review of its dividend pay-out policy and consulted institutional share owners and analysts. It seems clear from this analysis that in current stock market conditions, many share owners favour consistent dividend growth
and better dividend yields over share re-purchases. Given these views, the Board plans to increase the dividend payout ratio as a proportion of post-tax profits from the current level of approximately 30% to approximately 40% over the medium term. Share buy-backs in 2010 cost £46 million, representing 0.5% of share capital, again well within the target set at the time of the TNS acquisition. It is likely that we will continue to ensure that share buy-backs at least equal the dilutive effect of option and restricted stock issuance.
The Group's liquidity is affected primarily by the working capital flows associated with its media buying activities on behalf of clients. The working capital movements relate primarily to the Group's billings. Billings comprise the gross amounts billed to clients in respect of commission-based/fee-based income together with the total of other fees earned. In 2010, billings were £42.7 billion, or 4.6 times the revenue of the Group. The inflows and outflows associated with media buying activity therefore represent significant cash flow within each month of the year and are forecast and re-forecast on a regular basis throughout the year by the Group's treasury staff so as to ensure that there is continuing coverage of peak requirements through committed borrowing facilities from the Group's bankers and other sources.
Liquidity risk management—The Group manages liquidity risk by ensuring continuity and flexibility of funding even in difficult market conditions. Undrawn committed borrowing facilities are maintained in excess of peak net borrowing levels and debt maturities are closely monitored. Targets for debt and cash position are set on an annual basis and, to assist in meeting this, working capital targets are set for all the Group's major operations. See the discussions on pages 29 and 30 for the Group's view on the use of net debt and average net debt to measure debt levels.
US\$ bonds—The Group has in issue \$600 million of 8% bonds due September 2014 and \$650 million of 5.875% bonds due June 2014.
Eurobonds—The Group has in issue €600 million of 4.375% bonds due December 2013, €500 million of 5.25% bonds due January 2015 and €750 million of 6.625% bonds due May 2016.
Sterling bonds—The Group has in issue £400 million of 6% bonds due April 2017 and £200 million of 6.375% bonds due November 2020.
Revolving Credit Facilities—The Group has a \$1.6 billion seven-year Revolving Credit Facility due August 2012 and a £200 million amortising Revolving Credit Facility maturing in July 2011. The Group's borrowing under these facilities, which are drawn down predominantly in US dollars, euros, Canadian dollars and pounds sterling, averaged the equivalent of \$818 million in 2010. The Group had available undrawn committed credit facilities of £1,145 million at 31 December 2010 (2009: £1,335 million).
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facilities are governed by certain financial covenants based on the results and financial position of the Group, including requirements that (i) the interest coverage ratio for each financial period equal or exceed 5.0 to 1 and (ii) the ratio of borrowed funds to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation at 30 June and 31 December in each year shall not exceed 3.5 to 1, both covenants as defined in the relevant agreement. The Group is in compliance with both covenants.
US Commercial Paper Program—The Group has a \$1.4 billion US Commercial Paper Program using the \$1.6 billion Revolving Credit Facility as a backstop. There was no US Commercial Paper outstanding at 31 December 2010.
Convertible bonds—The Group has in issue £450 million of 5.75% convertible bonds due May 2014. At the option of the holder, the bonds are convertible into 76,530,612 WPP ordinary shares at an initial share price of £5.88 per share.
Hedging of financial instruments—The Group's policy on interest rate and foreign exchange rate management sets out the instruments and methods available to hedge interest and currency risk exposures and the control procedures in place to ensure effectiveness. The Group uses derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to foreign exchange risk and interest rate movements. The Group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.
The Group bases its internal cash flow objectives on free cash flow. Management believes free cash flow is meaningful to investors because it is the measure of our funds available for acquisition-related payments, dividends to shareowners, share repurchases and debt repayment. The purpose of presenting free cash flow is to indicate the ongoing cash generation within the control of the Group after taking account of the necessary cash expenditures of maintaining the capital and operating structure of the Group (in the form of payments of interest, corporate taxation and capital expenditure). Net working capital movements are excluded from this measure since these are principally associated with our media buying activities on behalf of clients and are not necessarily within the control of the Group. This computation may not be comparable to that of similarly titled measures presented by other companies.
A tabular reconciliation of free cash flow is shown below.
| Year Ended 31 December | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Net cash inflow from operating activities | 1,361.2 | 818.8 | 922.7 |
| Issue of shares | 42.7 | 4.1 | 10.6 |
| Proceeds on disposal of treasury shares | — | — | 6.9 |
| Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 7.6 | 9.2 | 11.5 |
| Movements in working capital and provisions | (225.5) | 102.1 | 109.3 |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (190.5) | (222.9) | (196.8) |
| Purchase of other intangible assets (including capitalised computer | |||
| software) | (27.0) | (30.4) | (23.8) |
| Dividends paid to non-controlling shareholders in subsidiary | |||
| undertakings | (66.7) | (63.0) | (63.5) |
| Free cash flow | 901.8 | 617.9 | 776.9 |
In 2010, net cash inflow from operating activities was £1,361.2 million. Free cash flow available for debt repayment, acquisitions, share buy-backs and dividends was £901.8 million. This free cash flow was partially absorbed by £215.2 million in net acquisitions and disposals, by £46.4 million in share repurchases and buy-backs and of £200.4 million in dividends, leaving £439.8 million, of free cash flow.
Management believes that net debt and average net debt is an appropriate and meaningful measure of the debt levels within the Group. This is because of the seasonal swings in our working capital generally, and those resulting from our media buying activities on behalf of our clients in particular, together with the fact that we choose for commercial reasons to locate the debt of the Group in particular countries and leave cash resources in others—though our cash resources could be used to repay the debt concerned. Average net debt is calculated as the average daily net borrowings of the
Group and is a more accurate reflection of the amount of debt the Group has supporting its activities through the year. Net debt at a period end is calculated as the sum of the net borrowings of the Group, derived from the cash ledgers and accounts in the balance sheet.
The following table is an analysis of net debt.
| At 31 December 2010 2009 £m £m £m |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | |||||
| Debt financing | (3,853.6) | (4,307.1) | (5,640.1) | ||
| Cash and short-term deposits | 1,965.2 | 1,666.7 | 2,572.5 | ||
| Net debt | (1,888.4) | (2,640.4) | (3,067.6) |
At 31 December 2010, the Group's net debt was £1,888 million, down £752 million from £2,640 million in 2009. Net debt averaged £3,056 million in 2010, against £3,448 million in 2009, down £0.4 billion at 2010 exchange rates, reflecting significant improvement in profitability and improved cash flows, despite a continued client emphasis on improved liquidity, as well as effectiveness and efficiency.
The Company's borrowings are evenly distributed between fixed and floating rate debt. Given the strong cash generation of the business, its debt maturity profile and available facilities, the directors believe the Company has sufficient liquidity to match its requirements for the foreseeable future.
Refer to Item 5F for details on the Company's material commitments for capital expenditures at 31 December 2010.
Not applicable.
The discussion below and in the rest of this Item 5 includes forward-looking statements regarding plans, objectives, projections and anticipated future performance based on assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. As such, actual results or outcomes may differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. See "Forward-Looking Statements" preceding Item 1 in this annual report.
In the first quarter of 2011, reported revenues were up 7.0% at £2.223 billion. Revenues in constant currency were up 8.4%, reflecting the strength of the pound sterling against the US dollar and Euro. On a like-for-like basis, excluding the impact of acquisitions and currency fluctuations, revenues were up 6.7% and gross profit 7.4% compared with the same period last year. Revenues have continued to recover following the stabilisation in quarter one of last year and the sequential improvement in like-for-like growth in quarters two, three and four of 2010.
The pattern of revenue growth in 2011 has started similarly to the second half of 2010, with improvements across all sectors and geographies. Our budgets for 2011 indicated like-for-like growth of 5% over last year and for the first three months we were in line with those projections. A first look at our flash quarter one revised forecasts, indicates further improvement for the year to over 6%, with a more balanced pattern over the two halves, despite tougher comparatives in the second half. In 2010 we were surprised at the speed of the recovery in the more mature markets of the United States and
Germany and more traditional media, like free-to-air television. This pattern has continued into the first
quarter of 2011, although as indicated in the budgets for this year, the faster growing markets of Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe are growing even faster. They were last into the recession and last out.
On a constant currency basis, the Group's revenue grew by 8.4%, in line with the Group's budget, but with gross profit, probably a better indicator of top-line growth and cost comparator, growing faster at 9.1%. In 2010, the United States behaved more like a faster growing market, with constant currency growth of 8.0%. In the first quarter of 2011 this has continued, with revenue on the same basis up 9.1% and only slightly below the third quarter of 2010, which saw the highest quarterly growth since the second quarter of 2007, at 9.9%. However, the world continues to move at very different speeds, with the BRICs (Brazil, Russia, India and China), Next 11 (Bangladesh, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran (?), Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Korea, Turkey, Vietnam) or CIVETS (Columbia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Egypt (still included), Turkey, South Africa) generally growing strongest, followed by the United States and Germany, then the United Kingdom, France, Italy and Spain with Japan, weakest, suffering from years of stagnation and now triple hit by the dreadful earthquake, tsunami and nuclear disasters. In the first quarter, revenue growth in the United Kingdom, on a constant currency basis, was up 7.7% with Western Continental Europe up 2.2% and Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East and Central and Eastern Europe growing strongly at 12.6%. Western Continental Europe remains the most challenging, with revenues in France and Spain the most affected, when compared with the same period last year. The Middle East has been affected by the current political turmoil in the first quarter, growing only 1.5%. Central and Eastern Europe grew at 9.1%, driven primarily by Russia and Poland, with the combined revenues in these two markets up over 13%. Latin America grew 10.4% on a constant currency basis, but 16.7%, like-for-like, following the disposal of a call centre business in Argentina in September 2010. Asia Pacific was up 12.5% on a constant currency basis and excluding Japan (which was flat) was up 13.8%, with all the Group's major markets, except Malaysia, showing strong growth. Two of the Group's biggest markets in Asia, Mainland China and India showed combined growth of 18.4%, versus 12.5% in 2010.
By communications services sector, Advertising and Media Investment Management continued to "bite-back" with revenues on a constant currency basis up 12.9%, followed by Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications (including direct, digital and interactive) up 7.9%. The Group's direct and interactive networks of Wunderman and OgilvyOne, together with specialist digital agencies VML and JWT Inside showed strong growth. Public Relations & Public affairs continued the solid performance in 2010, with growth of 5.6%, which was slightly ahead of quarter four in 2010, the highest quarterly growth in 2010. Consumer Insight revenues were up 3.4% with gross profit up more at 3.6% (3.8% like-for-like), and with North America, the United Kingdom and Western Continental Europe weaker, but stronger growth in Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East, despite the current political and human challenges in North Africa, the Middle East and Japan.
The Company is in the process of reviewing its quarter one revised forecasts, but early indications are that revenues in the balance of the year will grow faster than budgeted, with full year like-for-like revenue growth of over 6%. The higher levels of incentive compensation paid out this year has focused attention on variable, rather than fixed, compensation and has helped to ease, to some extent, potential pressure on salaries. As our operating companies continue to be more positive about 2011, the increase in selective hiring and talent investment, particularly in the faster growing markets, originally seen in the second half of 2010, has continued into 2011.
During 2009 the Group took action to bring into balance the fall in revenues with staff costs, with a significant reduction in the number of people employed in the Group. As revenues stabilised towards the end of 2009 and growth returned in 2010, our operating companies began hiring again, although as mentioned above, mainly in the faster growing markets. Although hiring has begun again, the discipline of balancing revenues with headcount has continued. The number of people in the Group, on a like-for-
like basis excluding associates, was up 4.2% or 4,350 at 31 March 2011 to 106,825, as compared to 31 March 2010, against an increase in revenues on the same basis of 6.7%. The average number of people in the Group in the first quarter of this year was up similarly by 4.2% to 106,076 compared to 101,763 for the same period last year. In 2009, the point-to-point headcount fell by 12%, in 2010 it rose 4.5% and in 2011, by 31 March, it had risen another 1%. Overall, therefore, the number of people in the business has fallen by over 6%, whilst revenues are now back to pre-Lehman levels on a like-for-like basis, a significant increase in productivity.
For the rest of 2011, the focus will continue to be on ensuring that our operating companies balance revenue and headcount growth, while at the same time capitalising on the various client and market opportunities that continue to arise and continuing to invest in both existing and new talent, where necessary.
Despite the recent developments and effect of the difficult political and human situations in the Middle East, North Africa and Japan (as a point of reference, the Middle East accounts for about 1.7% or \$300 million of our approximately \$16 billion of revenues forecast by analysts and Japan about 1.5% or \$200 million), the continued doubts about sovereign debt in some Western European economies and the growing concerns in the United States about the failure to reduce the fiscal deficit, where the recent US Treasury purchase strike by PIMCO and US debt change in outlook by S&P have not helped, we are cautiously optimistic about the prospects for 2011 and, indeed for 2012.
The second quarter, according to our budgets and quarter one revised forecasts, shows stronger growth in Asia Pacific and Latin America, counter-balanced by lower growth in the United States, with these trends, as anticipated earlier this year, continuing into the final two quarters of 2011. 2012 will see the maxi-quadrennial impacts of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Eastern European-based UEFA EURO 2012 Football Championships and United States Presidential elections (where media spending may reach \$4 billion), all of which may add 1-2% to worldwide levels of advertising and marketing spending, whatever they are. It may be that to some extent we benefit from uncertainty, particularly in the mature economies, where risk averse managements prefer to invest in brand equity, rather than expand capacity. In addition, there are some indications that FMCG clients, lacking pricing power and facing commodity price increases, are decreasing promotional price discounts and increasing investment in advertising. The difficult year may well be 2013, when newly elected or re-elected governments have to wrestle with the impact of fiscal and monetary stimuli and the failure to deal quickly enough with fiscal deficits.
None.
The following summarises the Company's estimated contractual obligations at 31 December 2010, and the effect such obligations are expected to have on its liquidity and cash flows in the future periods. Certain obligations presented below held by one subsidiary of the Company may be guaranteed by another subsidiary in the ordinary course of business.
| Payments due in | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (£m) | Total | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | Beyond 2015 |
| Debt financing under the Revolving Credit Facility and in relation to unsecured loan notes | 1 | ||||||
| Eurobonds | 1,585.9 | — | — | 514.4 | — | 428.6 | 642.9 |
| Sterling and convertible bonds | 1,050.0 | — | — | — | 450.0 | — | 600.0 |
| US\$ bonds | 801.7 | — | — | — | 801.7 | — | — |
| Other | 116.4 | — | 100.3 | — | 16.1 | — | — |
| Subtotal | 3,554.0 | — | 100.3 | 514.4 | 1,267.8 | 428.6 | 1,242.9 |
| Interest payable | 966.7 | 209.4 | 208.4 | 206.7 | 148.5 | 81.2 | 112.5 |
| Total | 4,520.7 | 209.4 | 308.7 | 721.1 | 1,416.3 | 509.8 | 1,355.4 |
| Operating leases 2 |
2,272.6 | 354.6 | 293.5 | 268.1 | 219.8 | 202.6 | 934.0 |
| Capital commitments 3 |
40.7 | 32.6 | 8.1 | — | — | — | — |
| Investment commitments 3 |
24.9 | 23.1 | 1.8 | — | — | — | — |
| Estimated obligations under acquisition | |||||||
| earnouts and put option agreements | 446.3 | 344.3 | 46.6 | 16.8 | 8.6 | 4.1 | 25.9 |
| Total contractual obligations | 7,305.2 | 964.0 | 658.7 | 1,006.0 | 1,644.7 | 716.5 | 2,315.3 |
In addition to debt financing under the Revolving Credit Facility and in relation to unsecured loan notes, the Company had short-term overdrafts at 31 December 2010 of £255.4 million. The Group's net debt at 31 December 2010 was £1,888.4 million and is analysed in Item 5B. 1
Operating leases are net of sub-let rentals. 2
Capital and investment commitments include commitments contracted, but not provided for in respect of property, plant and equipment and in respect of interests in associates and other investments, respectively. 3
The Company expects to make annual contributions to its funded defined benefit plans, as determined in line with local conditions and practices. Contributions in respect of unfunded plans are paid as they fall due. The total contributions (for funded plans) and benefit payments (for unfunded plans) paid for 2010 amounted to £53.3 million (2009: £47.7 million, 2008: £44.2 million). Employer contributions and benefit payments in 2011 are expected to be in the range of £40 million to £60 million depending on the performance of the assets. Projections for years after 2011 are subject to a number of factors, including future asset performance and changes in assumptions which mean the Company is unable to make sufficiently reliable estimations of future contributions.
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates, judgements and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingencies at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates.
The Company's financial statements have been prepared in accordance with IFRS. A summary of the Group's principal accounting policies are described in the Accounting Policies section of the Financial Statements. The Company believes certain of these accounting policies are particularly critical to understanding the more significant judgements and estimates used in the preparation of its
consolidated financial statements. Therefore, we have prepared the following supplemental discussion of critical accounting policies, which should be read together with our financial statements and notes thereto.
The Company has a significant amount of goodwill and other intangible assets. The Company initially tests the carrying value of goodwill and other indefinite lived intangible assets for impairment annually at 30 June of each year, and then updates the review at 31 December or whenever there is an indication of impairment.
Under IFRS, an impairment charge is required for both goodwill and other indefinite lived assets when the carrying amount exceeds the 'recoverable amount', defined as the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Our approach in determining the recoverable amount utilises a discounted cash flow methodology, which necessarily involves making numerous estimates and assumptions regarding revenue growth, operating margins, appropriate discount rates and working capital requirements. These estimates will likely differ from future actual results of operations and cash flows, and it is possible that these differences could be material. In addition, judgements are applied in determining the level of cash-generating unit we identify for impairment testing and the criteria we use to determine which assets should be aggregated. A difference in testing levels could affect whether an impairment is recorded and the extent of an impairment loss. Changes in our business activities or structure may also result in changes to the level of testing in future periods. Further, future events could cause the Company to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that the asset values associated with a given operation have become impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material impact on the Company's financial condition and results of operations.
Historically our impairment losses have resulted from a specific event, condition or circumstance in one of our companies, such as the loss of a significant client. As a result, changes in the assumptions used in our impairment model have not had a significant effect on the impairment charges recognised. The carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets will continue to be reviewed at least annually for impairment and adjusted to the recoverable amount if required.
The most significant assumptions employed by the Company in determining recoverable amounts are as follows:
The Group accounts for acquisitions in accordance with IFRS 3 (revised) 'Business Combinations'. IFRS 3 (revised) requires the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities (other than non-current assets or disposal groups held for sale) to be recognised at fair value at acquisition date. In assessing fair value at acquisition date, management make their best estimate of the likely
outcome where the fair value of an asset or liability may be contingent on a future event. In certain instances, the underlying transaction giving rise to an estimate may not be resolved until some years after the acquisition date. IFRS 3 (revised) requires the release to profit of any acquisition reserves which subsequently become excess in the same way as any excess costs over those provided at acquisition date are charged to profit. At each period end management assess provisions and other balances established in respect of acquisitions for their continued probability of occurrence and amend the relevant value accordingly through the consolidated income statement or as an adjustment to goodwill as appropriate under IFRS 3 (revised). In 2010, operating profit includes credits totaling £16.5 million (2009: £19.4 million, 2008: £23.7 million) relating to the release of excess provisions and other balances established in respect of acquisitions completed prior to 2009.
Future anticipated payments to vendors in respect of contingent consideration (earnout agreements) are initially recorded at fair value which is the present value of the expected cash outflows of the obligations. The obligations are dependent on the future financial performance of the interests acquired (typically over a four to five year period following the year of acquisition) and assume the operating companies improve profits in line with directors' estimates. The directors derive their estimates from internal business plans together with financial due diligence performed in connection with the acquisition. Subsequent adjustments to the fair value are recorded in the consolidated income statement within revaluation of financial instruments. For acquisitions completed prior to 1 January 2010, such adjustments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet within goodwill. A summary of earnout related obligations included in creditors is shown in note 19 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
WPP has also entered into option agreements that allow the Group's equity partners to require the Group to purchase the non-controlling interest. These agreements are treated as derivatives over equity instruments and are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value and the valuation is remeasured at each period end. Fair value is based on the present value of expected cash outflows and the movement in the fair value is recognised as income or expense within revaluation of financial instruments in the consolidated income statement.
Actual performance may differ from the assumptions used resulting in amounts ultimately paid out with respect to these earnout and option agreements at more or less than the recorded liabilities.
Advertising and Media Investment Management revenue is typically derived from commissions on media placements and fees for advertising services. Revenue may consist of various arrangements involving commissions, fees, incentivebased revenue or a combination of the three, as agreed upon with each client.
Revenue is recognised when the service is performed, in accordance with the terms of the contractual arrangement. Incentive-based revenue typically comprises both quantitative and qualitative elements; on the element related to quantitative targets, revenue is recognised when the quantitative targets have been achieved; on the element related to qualitative targets, revenue is recognised when the incentive is received or receivable.
The Group receives volume rebates from certain suppliers for transactions entered into on behalf of clients that, based on the terms of the relevant contracts and local law, are either remitted to clients or retained by the Group. If amounts are passed on to clients they are recorded as liabilities until settled or, if retained by the Group, are recorded as revenue when earned.
In applying the proportional performance method of revenue recognition for both market research and other longterm contracts, management is required to make significant judgements, estimates and
assumptions. In assessing contract performance, both input and output criteria are reviewed. Costs incurred are used as an objective input measure of performance. The primary input of all work performed under these arrangements is labour. As a result of the relationship between labour and cost, there is normally a direct relationship between costs incurred and the proportion of the contract performed to date. Costs incurred as a proportion of expected total costs is used as an initial proportional performance measure. The indicative proportional performance measure is subsequently validated against other more subjective criteria (i.e. relevant output measures) such as the percentage of interviews completed, percentage of reports delivered to a client and the achievement of any project milestones stipulated in the contract. In the event of divergence between the objective and more subjective measures, the more subjective measures takes precedence since these are output measures.
Since project costs can vary from initial estimates, the reliance on total project cost estimate represents an uncertainty inherent in the revenue recognition process. Individual project budgets are reviewed regularly with project leaders to ensure that cost estimates are based upon up to date and as accurate information as possible, and take into account any relevant historic performance experience. Also, the majority of contracted services subject to proportional performance method revenue recognition are in relation to short term projects, averaging approximately 3 months. Due to this close and frequent monitoring of budgeted costs and the preponderance of short term projects, the impact of variances between actual and budgeted project costs has historically been minimal. The Company does not believe that the effect of these uncertainties, taken as a whole, will significantly impact their results of operations in the future.
Pension costs are assessed in accordance with the advice of local independent qualified actuaries. The latest full actuarial valuations for the various plans were carried out at various dates in the last three years. These valuations have generally been updated by the local independent qualified actuaries to 31 December 2010.
The Group has a policy of closing defined benefit plans to new members. This has been implemented across a significant number of pension plans. As a result, these plans generally have an ageing membership population. In accordance with IAS 19, the actuarial calculations have been carried out using the projected unit credit method. In these circumstances, use of this method implies that the contribution rate implicit in the current service cost will increase in future years.
The Group's pension deficit was £239.9 million at 31 December 2010, compared to £248.0 million at 31 December 2009. The decrease in the deficit relates to positive investment performance and actions taken by WPP to curtail and settle plans. These factors are partially offset by a drop in discount rates and by the weakening of the sterling.
There are a number of areas in the pension accounting that involve judgements made by management. These include establishing the long-term expected rates of investment return on pension assets, mortality assumptions, discount rates, inflation, rate of increase in pensions in payment and salary increases.
Most of the Group's pension plan assets are held by its plans in the UK and North America. In the UK, the forecasted weighted average return on assets decreased to 5.4% at 31 December 2010 from 5.6% at 31 December 2009, and in North America, the forecasted weighted average return decreased to 6.4% from 6.5%, broadly in line with the yields available in both markets. Management reviews the expected long-term rates of return on an annual basis and revises them as appropriate.
Also, management periodically commission detailed asset and liability studies performed by third-party professional investment advisors and actuaries, which generate probability-adjusted expected future returns on those assets. These studies also project the estimated future pension payments and evaluate the efficiency of the allocation of the pension plan assets into various investment categories.
At 31 December 2010, the life expectancies underlying the value of the accrued liabilities for the main defined benefit pension plans operated by the Group were as follows:
| Western | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All | North | Continental | Asia | ||
| Years life expectancy after age 65 | Plans | America | UK | Europe | 1 Pacific |
| Current pensioners – male | 20.7 | 19.7 | 22.4 | 20.0 | 19.3 |
| Current pensioners – female | 22.7 | 21.6 | 23.8 | 23.3 | 24.7 |
| Future pensioners (current age 45) – male | 22.3 | 21.2 | 23.6 | 22.5 | 19.3 |
| Future pensioners (current age 45) – female | 23.9 | 22.5 | 25.0 | 25.2 | 24.9 |
Includes Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe. 1
In the determination of mortality assumptions, management use the most up-to-date mortality tables available in each country.
For a 0.25% increase or decrease in the discount rate at 31 December 2010, the effect on the year-end 2010 pension deficit would be a decrease or increase, respectively, of approximately £26 million.
We record deferred tax assets and liabilities using tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised based on enacted, or substantively enacted legislation, for the effect of temporary differences between book and tax bases of assets and liabilities. Currently we have deferred tax assets resulting from operating loss carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, all of which could reduce taxable income in the future. Based on available evidence, both positive and negative, we determine whether it is probable that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will be realised. The main factors that we consider include:
If it is our belief that it is probable that some portion of these assets will not be realised, then no asset is recognised in relation to the portion not considered to be realisable. At 31 December 2010 no deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of gross tax losses and other temporary differences of £4,834.9 million.
If market conditions improve and future results of operations exceed our current expectations, our existing recognised deferred tax assets may be adjusted, resulting in future tax benefits. Alternatively, if market conditions deteriorate further or future results of operations are less than expected, future assessments may result in a determination that some or all of the deferred tax assets are not realisable. As a result, we may need to reverse all or a portion of the deferred tax assets, which may have a significant effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
See pages F-7 and F-8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a description of new IFRS accounting pronouncements.
The directors and executive officers of the Company are as follows:
Philip Lader, age 65: Non-executive chairman. Philip Lader was appointed chairman in 2001. The US Ambassador to the Court of St James's from 1997 to 2001, he previously served in several senior executive roles in the US Government, including as a Member of the President's Cabinet and as White House Deputy Chief of Staff. Before entering government service, he was executive vice president of the company managing the late Sir James Goldsmith's US holdings and president of both a prominent American real estate company and universities in the US and Australia. A lawyer, he is also a Senior Advisor to Morgan Stanley, a director of Marathon Oil, AES and Rusal Corporations, a trustee of the Smithsonian Museum of American History and the Atlantic Council and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Sir Martin Sorrell, age 66: Chief executive. Sir Martin Sorrell joined WPP in 1986 as a director, becoming Group chief executive in the same year. He is a non-executive director of Formula One.
Paul Richardson, age 53: Finance director. Paul Richardson became Group finance director of WPP in 1996 after four years with the Company as director of treasury. He is responsible for the Group's worldwide functions in finance, information technology, procurement, property, treasury, taxation, internal audit and corporate responsibility. He is a chartered accountant and fellow of the Association of Corporate Treasurers. He is a non-executive director of CEVA Group plc, Chime Communications PLC and STW Communications Group Limited in Australia, the last two being companies associated with the Group.
Mark Read, age 44: Strategy director and CEO, WPP Digital. Mark Read was appointed a director in March 2005. He has been WPP's director of strategy since 2002 and is also chief executive of WPP Digital. He is a member of the Supervisory Board of HighCo and a director of CHI & Partners. He worked at WPP between 1989 and 1995 in both parent company and operating company roles. Prior to rejoining WPP in 2002, he was a principal at the consultancy firm of Booz-Allen & Hamilton and founded and developed the company WebRewards in the UK.
Colin Day, age 56: Non-executive director. Colin Day was appointed a director in July 2005. He is the chief executive of Filtrona plc and a non-executive director of Amec. He was the group finance director of Reckitt Benckiser plc, until April 2011, having been appointed to its board in September 2000. Prior to joining Reckitt Benckiser he was group finance director of Aegis Group plc and previously held a number of senior finance positions with ABB Group plc and De La Rue Group plc. He was a non-executive director of Vero Group plc until 1998, Bell Group plc until 2004, Imperial Tobacco plc until February 2007, easyJet plc until 30 September 2005 and Cadbury plc until 2010.
Esther Dyson, age 59: Non-executive director. Esther Dyson was appointed a director in 1999. In 2004 she sold her company, EDventure Holdings, to CNET Networks, the US-based interactive media company now owned by CBS. She left CNET at the end of 2006 and now operates as an independent investor and writer, again under the name of EDventure. She has been highly influential for the past 20 years on the basis of her insights into online/information technology markets and their social impact worldwide, including the emerging markets of Central and Eastern Europe and Asia. An active investor as well as an analyst/observer, she participated in the sale of Flickr to Yahoo! and of Medstory and Powerset to Microsoft. She sits on the boards of non-listed start-ups including Evernote (US), 23andMe (US), Airship Ventures (US), Eventful.com (US), Meetup Inc. (US), NewspaperDirect (Canada), Voxiva (US) and Yandex (Russia). She is also active in public affairs and was founding chairman of ICANN, the domain name policy agency, from 1998 to 2000. She currently sits on the board of the Sunlight Foundation, which advocates transparency in government.
Orit Gadiesh, age 60: Non-executive director. Orit Gadiesh was appointed a director in April 2004. She is chairman of Bain & Company, Inc. and a world-renowned expert on management and corporate strategy. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and was a Baker Scholar. She is a member of the International Advisory Board at Haute Ecole Commerciale in France, as well as a member of the Foundation Board for the World Economic Forum and the Board of Directors of The Peres Institute for Peace. She is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, and a trustee for Eisenhower Fellowships.
Ruigang Li, age 41: Non-executive director. Ruigang Li was appointed a director in October 2010. He is President of Shanghai Media Group (SMG) a multimedia conglomerate based in Shanghai. Since 2002, under Ruigang's leadership, SMG has maintained the most complete portfolio of media and related businesses, including television, radio, print media, digital media, home shopping, content distribution, performing arts, training, and has become the largest content and service provider and distributor of Chinese language programs in the Chinese Mainland. Ruigang is also the Chairman of China Media Capital (CMC), China's first and only sovereign private equity fund dedicated to the media sector both within China and abroad. CMC recently announced a partnership with News Corporation's Star China to develop their joint interests in developing growth opportunities in the operational and investment platforms in China and overseas markets. Prior to his current role, Ruigang was a visiting scholar at Columbia University in New York.
Stanley (Bud) Morten, age 67: Non-executive director. Bud Morten was appointed a director in 1991. He is a consultant, private investor and one of the five public members of the Investment Advisory Council of the State of Connecticut. From 2003 to 2009 he was the Independent Consultant to Citigroup/Smith Barney with responsibility for its independent research requirements. Previously he was the chief operating officer of Punk, Ziegel & Co, a New York investment banking firm with a focus on the healthcare and technology industries. Before that he was the managing director of the equity division of Wertheim Schroder & Co, Inc. in New York. He is a former non-executive director of Register.com, which was sold to a private equity firm in November 2005. He is also a non-executive director of The Motley Fool, Inc., and of Darien Rowayton Bank, both of which are private companies.
Koichiro Naganuma, age 66: Non-executive director. Koichiro Naganuma was appointed a director in February 2004. He is chairman of the Board of Asatsu-DK Inc., also known as ADK. He is also vice chairman of Japan Advertising Association. Joining the agency in 1981, he was president and Group CEO from 1991-2010. ADK is Japan's third largest advertising and communications company, and 10 largest in the world. th
Lubna Olayan, age 55: Non-executive director. Lubna Olayan was appointed a director in March 2005. Ms Olayan is the deputy chairperson and chief executive officer of the Olayan Financing Company, a subsidiary and the holding entity for the Olayan Group's operations in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Middle East. Ms Olayan is a Board Member of two publicly listed companies, the Saudi Hollandi Bank and Schlumberger, and on the International Advisory Board of Akbank, Rolls-Royce and the National Bank of Kuwait. She is on the Board of Trustees of Cornell University, INSEAD and KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science and Technology) and on the Board of DSCA (Down Syndrome Charitable Association) and Al Fanar, the first Arab venture philanthropy organisation in the Arab region.
John Quelch, age 59: Non-executive director. John Quelch was appointed a director in 1988. He is the Dean, Vice President and Distinguished Professor of International Management at the China Europe International Business School. Between 2001 and 2011 he was the Lincoln Filene Professor of Business Administration and Senior Associate Dean at Harvard Business School. Between 1998 and 2001 he was Dean of the London Business School. Between 2002 and 2011 he served as chairman of
the Massachusetts Port Authority, honorary counsel general of the Kingdom of Morocco in New England and as honorary chairman of the British American Business Council of New England. Professor Quelch's writings focus on global business practice in emerging as well as developed markets, international marketing and the role of the multinational corporation and the nation state. He is a non-executive director of Alere, Inc and a member of the Council on Foreign Relations. He served previously on the boards of Blue Circle Industries plc, easyJet plc, Pentland Group plc, Pepsi Bottling Group and Reebok International Limited.
Jeffrey A. Rosen, age 63: Non-executive director. Jeffrey Rosen was appointed a director in December 2004. He is a deputy chairman and managing director of Lazard. He has over 30 years' experience in international investment banking and corporate finance. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is President of the Board of Trustees of the International Center of Photography in New York.
Timothy (Tim) Shriver, age 51: Non-executive director. Tim Shriver was appointed a director in August 2007. He is Chairman and CEO of Special Olympics, serving over three million Special Olympic athletes and their families in 180 countries. In recent years, he has produced films for Disney, Dream Works and Fox Searchlight and Hallmark Hall of Fame. He co-founded the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) and currently chairs the CASEL Board. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and is also a non-executive director of the Malaria No More, Neogenix Oncology, and he is the founder and President of the Center for Interface Action on Global Poverty.
Paul Spencer, age 61: Non-executive director. Paul Spencer was appointed a director in April 2004. He is a financier with 20 years' experience in the financial management of a number of blue-chip companies, including British Leyland PLC, Rolls-Royce PLC, Hanson PLC and Royal & Sun Alliance PLC. He has held a number of non-executive directorships including until 2009 chairman of NS and I (National Savings). He is currently chairman of State Street Managed Pension Funds and Chairs audit at TR Property Investment Trust PLC. He is the independent Trustee of the BAT, BT, BA and Rolls-Royce Pension Funds. In the 2010 Honours he was awarded a CBE for services to the financial services industry. Paul is a governor of the charity Motability.
Sol Trujillo, age 59: Non-executive director. Sol Trujillo was appointed a director in October 2010. He is a highly experienced international business executive, who brings 30 years of international business experience to the Board, having served as CEO on three continents in media communications organisations; US West (now Qwest), Orange (now France Telecom) and Telstra, the Australian communications company. Recognised as a broadband and wireless pioneer, he has a reputation as an innovator in the digital space, described by President Reagan's science advisor as "the nation's first digital telecom CEO". He has managed operations and remains active in business affairs in both developed and fast-growing markets from China and South Asia to Europe, North America, Africa and the Middle East... more than 20 countries around the world. He is a member of corporate boards in the US, EU and China – including in the US, Target and Promerica Bank; in Europe, Weather Investments S.p.A in Italy; and in Asia, Silk Road Technologies in China, where he is board chairman. In the public sector, Mr Trujillo served as a trade policy advisor to the Clinton and Bush administrations and remains active on public policy issues related to immigration, trade, productivity and fiscal affairs.
The board of directors has determined that all of the non-executive directors are independent under NASDAQ Rule 5605(a)(2).
Following a very challenging 2009, the performance of the Group improved considerably in 2010. The design of compensation policy at WPP ensures that there is a clear and direct link between the performance of the Group and executive compensation throughout the Group. In 2010, the strong performance of the Group therefore resulted in both increased incentive levels for management and strong returns for share owners. The use of performance-driven compensation ensures the continued alignment of share owner and executive interests and is essential to enable the Company to attract, retain and motivate the most gifted talent in the industry.
The committee's work during 2010 included:
WPP competes on the basis of its intellectual capital. This intellectual capital is created entirely by its people, and the committee endeavours to strike the right balance of fairness between employees and share owners. For this reason, the design of all executive compensation at WPP is governed by three guiding principles: competitiveness, performancedriven reward and alignment with share owner interests.
These three principles are themselves derived from both our mission statement: to develop and manage talent; to apply that talent, throughout the world, for the benefit of clients; to do so in partnership; to do so with profit and our six business objectives (see pages 20 to 21).
The Compensation Committee regularly reviews fixed and variable compensation against appropriate benchmarks both internal and external. When making decisions on executive compensation, the committee is briefed on the remuneration levels within the Group. This includes, for example, the consideration of actual and budgeted salary increases across the organisation when determining executive salary increases. In addition, the committee approves the design of incentive plans and reviews all the awards made under those incentive plans. In 2010 the proportion of total compensation that was variable (due to linkage to performance) for Sir Martin Sorrell, Paul Richardson and Mark Read was 87.4%, 80.1% and 75.2%, respectively.
WPP is committed to aligning executive performance and reward with share owner interests. From a compensation perspective, this is encouraged in a number of ways:
share ownership is encouraged for the WPP Leaders (approximately the top 200 executives), all of whom have stretching ownership goals;
all eligible employees are given a share ownership opportunity through participation in the Worldwide Ownership Plan; and
The Compensation Committee is always sensitive to the requirement that the decisions that it makes and the compensation programs the Group has in place serve to improve the management of risk in the Group. In particular:
The principal elements of WPP executive remuneration currently comprise the following:
Pension contributions, life assurance, healthcare and other benefits are also provided.
Compensation packages for the most senior people at WPP are normally reviewed every 24 months. These reviews are undertaken within the context of:
In determining suitable benchmarks, the Compensation Committee looks at the compensation of executives holding similar roles in competitor organisations and, if appropriate, general industry data for organisations of comparable size and complexity.
| Current salary and fees | Effective date | |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Martin Sorrell | £1,000,000 | 1 Jan 2007 |
| Paul Richardson | \$925,000 and £100,000 | 1 Jan 2011 |
| Mark Read | £425,000 | 1 Jan 2011 |
As reported in previous years, fees of £100,000 are paid to each of the executive directors in respect of their directorships of WPP plc and are included in the numbers above.
Sir Martin Sorrell's base salary was last increased on 1 January 2007. It was due to be reviewed in November 2008 with any change to be implemented from January 2009; however, Sir Martin informed the Compensation Committee that an increase would not be appropriate in light of business conditions. His salary and directors' fees therefore remained unchanged throughout 2008, 2009 and 2010. As part of the extensive review of the executive directors' compensation at the end of 2010, the committee considers that an increase in base salary and adjustments to incentive opportunities are appropriate. Consideration of these issues has continued during 2011 and the committee intends to consult share owners before the proposals are finalised. The final changes agreed will be disclosed in the 2011 Compensation Committee report.
As a result of the review, and being mindful of the time that has elapsed since the last salary increases, the committee decided to increase the base salary of the other two executive directors. Paul Richardson's base salary was increased from \$830,000 plus £100,000 fees to \$925,000 plus £100,000 fees. The committee believed that Mark Read's package of base salary and fees at £325,000 was uncompetitive and, given the increased importance of digital strategy to the Group and Mr Read's continuing personal development, an increase to his remuneration was in order. As a result, Mark Read's package of base salary and fees was increased to £425,000. These increases were the first increases since July 2008 and January 2009 respectively, and both increases were implemented with effect from 1 January 2011.
All pension benefits for the Company's executive directors are currently on a defined contribution basis. Only the aggregate of base salary and director fees is pensionable. Details of pension contributions for executive directors for the period under review are set on page 50.
Each year WPP sets stretching performance targets for each operating company. Performance against these targets determines the size, if any, of the incentive pool for that unit. In aggregate, incentive payments in 2010 were higher than in 2009 due to improved performance. This trend was also reflected in the bonuses paid to executive directors.
Individual targets (both financial and strategic) for the operating company CEOs are set by WPP and in turn, these CEOs set similar targets for employees who report directly to them. Payment is in the form of both cash bonuses and deferred shares, being Performance Share Awards (PSAs), which vest a further two years after grant. The grant of PSAs typically occurs three months after the end of the financial year.
In a similar way, the Compensation Committee sets objectives for Sir Martin Sorrell and the other executive directors. The extent to which these objectives are met will determine the size of both annual cash bonuses (under the Short Term Incentive Plan, or STIP) and Executive Share Awards (ESAs, the portion of the annual bonus paid in shares which normally vest a further two years after grant).
No changes were made in 2010 to the levels of short-term incentive payouts that would be payable for achieving either target or maximum performance. The target and maximum cash bonus and ESA awards for each of the three executive directors in 2010 were as follows (shown as a percentage of salary):
| Cash | ESA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target % | Max % | Target % | Max % | |
| Sir Martin Sorrell | 100 | 200 | 67 | 100 |
| Paul Richardson | 80 | 120 | 100 | 133 |
| Mark Read | 50 | 75 | 67 | 100 |
Consistent with previous years, for 2010 the performance of each executive director was measured in the three areas shown below.
Each of these three elements is equally weighted for bonus purposes (i.e. one third of the bonus is payable for the achievement of each objective). Except for the Group financial objectives, the exact measures differ for each individual executive director.
After considering each of these areas and the respective measures for each executive director, the committee assessed the following levels of performance:
| 2010 achievement as % of target | 2009 | 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash | Financial | Strategic | Business | Total | Total % of target |
Total % of target |
| Sir Martin Sorrell | 200 | 170 | 200 | 190 | 41 | 125 |
| Paul Richardson | 150 | 105 | 150 | 135 | 58 | 100 |
| Mark Read | 150 | 105 | 150 | 135 | 72 | 125 |
| 2010 achievement as % of target | 2009 | 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ESA | Financial | Strategic | Business | Total | Total % of target |
Total % of target |
| Sir Martin Sorrell | 150 | 127 | 150 | 142 | 82 | 112 |
| Paul Richardson | 133 | 93 | 133 | 120 | 62 | 100 |
| Mark Read | 150 | 104 | 150 | 135 | 72 | 125 |
These achievement levels resulted in the following bonus payments:
| Cash bonus | ESA bonus | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actual % of target |
Actual £000 |
Actual % of target |
Actual £000 |
|
| Sir Martin Sorrell | 190 | 1,900 | 142 | 950 |
| Paul Richardson | 135 | 682 | 120 | 757 |
| Mark Read | 135 | 219 | 135 | 293 |
The executive directors are eligible, but decided not, to participate in a cash bonus deferral plan whereby they can defer receipt of part of their bonus for four years, and receive a 25% match in the form of WPP shares (subject to continuous employment).
In conjunction with the committee's review of total compensation for the executive directors, the committee decided to adjust the levels of short-term incentive awards available for executive directors. The target and maximum levels for both Paul Richardson and Mark Read have been adjusted for 2011 in order to better balance the cash and share incentive elements of their remuneration, and to reflect market practice, and are shown below (as a percentage of salary):
| Cash | ESA | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Target % | Max % | Target % | Max % | |
| Paul Richardson | 100 | 150 | 100 | 150 |
| Mark Read | 67 | 100 | 67 | 100 |
As mentioned in the Base salary and fees section, a decision regarding adjustments to Sir Martin Sorrell's incentive opportunities is pending the outcome of share owner consultation.
During the latter part of 2010, the Compensation Committee reviewed the long-term incentive plans to assess whether they continued to meet the strategic objectives of the Company particularly given the increased competitive pressures that have been fuelled by the general economic recovery and competitors' behaviour. The committee reviewed grant levels, performance criteria and vesting schedules. The conclusion of the review was that the grant levels and vesting schedules remained appropriate and well suited to the nature of the business. While the committee believes that the relative TSR measure that has been used for a number of years continues to be the most appropriate performance measure, the committee periodically reviews whether the plans would be strengthened by the addition of one or two further non-market measures in order to balance TSR.
Other than stock options, all awards will be satisfied out of WPP shares held in treasury or one of the Company's employee share ownership plans (ESOPs). The proceeds from any of the cash or share-based equity plans are not pensionable.
In 2010, awards under LEAP III were made to 18 of the Group's key executives. Details of the awards made to the executive directors can be found on page 52.
Participants have to commit and retain investments in WPP in order to receive awards under LEAP III. Such investments are in the form of WPP shares (investment shares) and, at the invitation of the Compensation Committee, also in the form of options over WPP shares purchased from an independent third party (investment options). LEAP III awards provide participants with the opportunity to earn additional WPP shares to match their investments (matching shares). The number of matching shares that a participant can receive at the end of the investment and performance period depends on the Company's TSR performance measured over five years and compared with a peer group weighted by market capitalisation.
Following the end of a performance period, the Compensation Committee is required to perform a 'fairness review' on the basis of which it may, in exceptional circumstances, decide to vary the number of matching shares that will vest. This is because relative TSR may not always reflect the true performance of the Company. Factors the committee considers in its fairness review of any award
include, amongst others, multiple measures of the Group's financial performance (such as growth in revenue and in earnings per share), and any evidence of distortions in the share price of either WPP or the peer group (such as bid price premiums).
As previously reported in the 2009 Compensation Committee report, the 2005 award vested in March 2010 with a match of 2.50.
As described above, the Compensation Committee is required to perform a 'fairness review' before any awards can vest. When performing this fairness review in the context of determining the level of vesting of the 2006 award, the committee reviewed a broad range of factors in its consideration of whether the relative TSR achievement was a fair reflection of the performance of the Group over the five-year performance period or whether there were factors that required the result to be adjusted. For the vesting of the 2006 award, the committee considered the following factors: the constituents of the peer group and whether there were any events that had an undue impact on their TSR performance in either a positive or negative way; the impact of changes in exchange rates on the TSR calculation; and the financial performance of the Company, relative to its peers, covering a wide range of measures including EPS, PBIT, margin, revenue and several other factors.
Following the fairness review, the committee concluded that the relative TSR result fairly reflected the performance of the Company over the five-year investment period, and that no adjustment was deemed necessary. The relative TSR performance of the Company resulted in a match of 4.14 for each investment share committed to the program despite the fact that on a local currency basis the match was 4.80.
Other than to satisfy awards under the short-term incentive plans (ESAs and PSAs), the principal use of the Restricted Stock Plan is for awards under the WPP Leaders and Partners program. This program is used to reward, retain and align the interests of about 1,250 of our key executives with the interests of share owners.
In the program, awards are made to participants that vest three years after grant, provided the participant is still employed within the Group. Executive directors are ineligible to participate in this plan.
In order to attract or retain key talent it is sometimes necessary to make special grants of options. No awards were granted in 2010 to any employee or executive director (1 award was granted to an employee in 2009). However, the Compensation Committee is conscious that stock options remain a powerful motivator and, in certain circumstances, it might be necessary to make awards to a broader population under the Executive Stock Option Plan.
The Worldwide Ownership Plan is an all-employee plan that makes annual grants of stock options to employees with two years of service who work in wholly owned subsidiaries. During 2010, awards were made to over 45,000 employees. By 31 December 2010, options under this plan had been granted to approximately 97,700 employees over 43.4 million shares since March 1997. Executives who participate in one of the other share plans described above are ineligible to participate in this plan.
The share incentive dilution level, measured on a 10-year rolling basis, has declined to 4.4% at 31 December 2010 (2009: 4.6%). It is intended that awards under all plans, with the exception of the Worldwide Ownership Plan, will all be satisfied with purchased shares held either in the ESOPs or in treasury.
| Performance | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Short-term | Objective | Participation | period | Conditions | Change of control |
| Base salary | To maintain package competitiveness at all levels within the Group. |
All employees. | n/a | Salary levels are determined by taking a number of relevant factors into account, including individual and business unit performance, level of experience, scope of responsibility and the competitiveness of total remuneration. |
n/a |
| Cash bonus | To incentivise delivery of value at all levels within the Group. |
Approximately 10% of employees are eligible to receive a performance bonus. |
1 year | Achievement of challenging performance goals (financial and non- financial) at the individual and business unit level. |
The cash bonuses of executive directors do not crystalise on a change of control. |
| Performance share awards |
To incentivise delivery of value and to align with interests of share owners. |
Key operating company executives. |
1 year | Achievement of challenging performance goals (financial and non- financial) at operating company level. Further two-year retention period. |
See note below for Restricted Stock Plan. |
| Executive share awards |
To incentivise delivery of value and to align with interests of share owners. |
Key head office executives and executive directors. |
1 year | Achievement of challenging individual annual bonus objectives. Further two- or three-year retention period. |
See note below for Restricted Stock Plan. |
| Long-term | |||||
| LEAP III and Renewed LEAP |
To incentivise long-term performance by comparing WPP's TSR against the TSR of key comparators (which are weighted by market capitalisation in the case of LEAP III), and maximise alignment with share owner interests through a high level of personal financial commitment. |
Participation offered only to those key executives (currently no more than 20 people) whose contributions transcend their day-to-day role, including executive directors. |
5 years | Relative TSR performance against a group of key communication services comparator companies, (weighted by market capitalisation in the case of LEAP III), subject to a fairness review by the Compensation Committee. |
On a change of control, the investment period for all outstanding awards ends, the number of vesting shares is determined at that date (pro-rated in the case of LEAP III) and any other rights cease. The number of shares that vest may be reduced to prevent adverse US tax provisions applying. The Compensation Committee may determine that outstanding awards are exchanged for equivalent awards. |
| Restricted Stock Plan |
To encourage a share ownership culture and long-term retention as well as supporting recruitment. |
Directors and senior executives of the operating companies and senior head office executives. |
n/a | Typically three-year retention period. |
The vesting period for all outstanding awards is deemed to end. The Compensation Committee may determine that outstanding awards are exchanged for equivalent awards or that outstanding awards are unaffected by the change of control. |
| Executive Stock Option Plan |
To provide a tool to promote retention and recruitment. |
Occasional use only to deal with special situations. |
3 years | Conditions, if any, are determined at the time of grant of the award. |
The number of shares or ADRs is pro-rated down in accordance with the change of control date. The Compensation Committee may determine that outstanding awards are unaffected by the change of control. |
| Worldwide Ownership Plan |
To develop a stronger ownership culture. |
Employees with at least two years' employment. Not offered to those participating in other share programs or to executive directors. |
n/a | Three-year vesting period. | The number of shares or ADRs is pro-rated down in accordance with the change of control date. The Compensation Committee may determine that outstanding awards are unaffected by the change of control. |
For the fiscal year ended 31 December 2010 the aggregate compensation paid by WPP and its subsidiaries to all directors and officers of WPP as a group for services in all capacities was £9.9 million. Such compensation was paid by WPP and its subsidiaries primarily in the form of salaries, performance-related bonuses, other benefits and a deferred share award. The sum of £0.7 million was set aside and paid in the last fiscal year to provide pension benefits for directors and officers of WPP.
The value of salary and fees, benefits, pension contributions and annual incentives paid both in cash (under the STIP) and shares (ESAs) for the year ending 31 December 2010 are set out in the table below. The table also shows comparative numbers for 2009. In the case of the STIP and ESAs, the figures shown are the value of the awards in respect of the year in question (although they were received in the following year). Benefits include such items as healthcare, life assurance, spouse travel and allowances for cars and housing. Both Sir Martin Sorrell and Paul Richardson currently receive part of their remuneration in pounds sterling and part in US dollars. Any US dollar amounts received in 2010 have been converted into sterling at an exchange rate of \$1.5461 to £1 (\$1.5667 for 2009).
| Short-term | Total | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Salary and fees |
Other | incentive plans | Value of | annual | Pension | |||||||
| benefits | (annual bonus) | ESAs | remuneration | contributions | ||||||||
| 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |
| £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | £000 | |
| Executive directors | ||||||||||||
| Sir Martin Sorrell 1, 2, 3 |
1,009 | 1,007 | 374 | 345 | 1,900 | 406 | 950 | 546 | 4,233 | 2,304 | 400 | 401 |
| Paul Richardson | 637 | 630 | 106 | 101 | 682 | 290 | 757 | 389 | 2,182 | 1,410 | 191 | 189 |
| Mark Read | 325 | 325 | 2 | 1 | 219 | 117 | 293 | 157 | 839 | 600 | 33 | 33 |
| Total remuneration | 1,971 | 1,962 | 482 | 447 | 2,801 | 813 | 2,000 | 1,092 | 7,254 | 4,314 | 624 | 623 |
During 2010 an amount of £6,813 was paid to Sir Martin Sorrell in respect of tax liabilities incurred by him on expenditure on various items considered by the UK Tax authorities as benefits in kind but which the committee consider to be essential to his ability to deliver his services successfully to the Group (£8,323 in 2009). 1
Payments made in accordance with the approval granted by share owners of amounts equal to the dividends that would be payable (totalling £1,081,172) were made to Sir Martin Sorrell during 2010 (£856,687 during 2009) in respect of the shares reflected in the UK and US Deferred Stock Units Awards Agreements (which are the agreements that now comprise the awards granted under the Capital Investment Plan in 1995). 2
Benefits include other items such as healthcare, life assurance, spouse travel, allowance for cars and housing. 3
All awards made under the Restricted Stock Plan are made on the basis of satisfaction of previous performance conditions and are subject to continuous employment until the vest date. The table includes awards that vested during 2010, awards that remained outstanding during 2010 and, by way of additional information, awards that have been granted since 31 December 2010.
| Name | Award date |
Share plan |
Share/ADR price on grant date |
No. of shares/ADRs originally awarded |
Value on grant day 000 |
Additional shares granted in lieu of dividends |
Total shares vesting |
Vesting date |
Share price on vesting |
Value on vesting £000 |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sir Martin Sorrell | 2007 ESA Award | 03.03.08 | ESA | £5.9025 | 149,851 | £885 | 10,582 | 160,433 06.03.10 | £6.455 | 1,036 | |
| 2008 ESA Award | 09.03.09 | ESA | £3.83625 | 196,285 | £753 | — | — | 06.03.11 | — | — | |
| 2009 ESA Award | 04.05.10 | ESA | £6.7775 | 80,560 | £546 | — | — | 06.03.13 | — | — | |
| 2010 ESA Award | 31.03.11 | ESA | £7.6825 | 123,657 | £950 | — | — | 06.03.13 | — | — | |
| Paul Richardson | 2007 ESA Award | 03.03.08 | ESA | £5.9025 | 96,094 | £567 | 6,785 | 102,879 06.03.10 | £6.455 | 664 | |
| 2008 ESA Award | 09.03.09 | ESA | £3.83625 | 143,369 | £550 | — | — | 06.03.11 | — | — | |
| 1 2009 ESA Award |
04.05.10 | ESA | \$51.59 | 11,813 | \$609 | — | — | 06.03.13 | — | — | |
| 1 2010 ESA Award |
31.03.11 | ESA | \$61.76 | 19,121 | \$1,181 | — | — | 06.03.13 | — | — | |
| Mark Read | Def Bonus 2005 | 16.03.06 Deferred bonus | £6.7950 | 3,601 | £24 | 2 1,280 |
4,881 16.03.10 £ 6.5452 | 32 | |||
| Def Bonus 2006 | 27.04.07 Deferred bonus | £7.4775 | 9,526 | £71 | — | — | 16.03.11 | — | — | ||
| 2007 ESA Award | 03.03.08 | ESA | £5.9025 | 43,202 | £255 | 3,050 | 46,252 06.03.10 | £6.455 | 299 | ||
| 2008 ESA Award | 09.03.09 | ESA | £3.83625 | 59,954 | £230 | — | — | 06.03.11 | — | — | |
| 2009 ESA Award | 04.05.10 | ESA | £6.7775 | 23,164 | £157 | — | — | 06.03.13 | — | — | |
| 2010 ESA Award | 31.03.11 | ESA | £7.6825 | 38,138 | £293 | — | — | 06.03.13 | — | — | |
| 1 |
Paul Richardson's 2009 and 2010 ESA Awards were granted in respect of ADRs.
Represents the combined total of matching shares and shares granted in lieu of dividends. 2
| Number of investment shares |
Share price on grant date |
Maximum number of matching units at 1 Jan 2010 |
During 2010 | Maximum | Share price |
Value on |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Grant / award date |
Investment and performance period |
Granted/ (lapsed) units |
Additional dividend shares |
Vested or deferred shares |
number of matching units at 31 Dec 2010 |
on vest/ deferral date |
vest/ deferral date £000 |
|||
| Sir Martin Sorrell | 01.01.05 – | ||||||||||
| 15.12.05 | 31.12.09 | 203,394 | £6.175 | 1,016,970 | (508,485) | 53,760 | 562,245 | — | £ 6.455 | 3,629 | |
| 15.11.06 | 01.01.06 – 31.12.10 |
156,536 | £6.84 | 782,680 | — | — | — | 782,680 | — | — | |
| 11.12.07 | 01.01.07 – 31.12.11 |
148,742 | £6.23 | 743,710 | — | — | — | 743,710 | — | — | |
| 31.10.08 | 01.01.08 – 31.12.12 |
218,596 | £3.749 | 1,092,980 | — | — | — | 1,092,980 | — | — | |
| Paul Richardson | 15.12.05 | 01.01.05 – 31.12.09 |
81,358 | £6.175 | 406,790 | (203,395) | 21,504 | 224,899 | — | £ 6.455 | 1,452 |
| 15.11.06 | 01.01.06 – 31.12.10 |
66,102 | £6.84 | 330,510 | — | — | — | 330,510 | — | — | |
| 11.12.07 | 01.01.07 – 31.12.11 |
59,497 | £6.23 | 297,485 | — | — | — | 297,485 | — | — | |
| 31.10.08 | 01.01.08 – 31.12.12 |
109,298 | £3.749 | 546,490 | — | — | — | 546,490 | — | — | |
| Mark Read | 15.12.05 | 01.01.05 – 31.12.09 |
10,170 | £6.175 | 50,850 | (25,425) | — | 25,425 | — | £ 6.455 | 164 |
| 15.11.06 | 01.01.06 – 31.12.10 |
16,525 | £6.84 | 82,625 | — | — | — | 82,625 | — | — | |
| 11.12.07 | 01.01.07 – 31.12.11 |
14,874 | £6.23 | 74,370 | — | — | — | 74,370 | — | — | |
| 31.10.08 | 01.01.08 – 31.12.12 |
21,859 | £3.749 | 109,295 | — | — | — | 109,295 | — | — |
The vesting schedules used for the various awards under Renewed LEAP are shown in the following tables. When actual performance falls between these positions, the match is calculated on a proportionate basis.
| Awards granted in 2006 and 2007 | |
|---|---|
| Rank compared to peer group | Number of matching shares |
| 1 | 5 |
| 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 4.5 |
| 4 | 3.5 |
| 5 | 2.5 |
| Median | 1.5 |
| Below median | 0 |
| Awards granted in 2008 | |
|---|---|
| Rank compared to peer group | Number of matching shares |
| 1 | 5 |
| 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 4 |
| 4 | 3 |
| Median | 1.5 |
| Below median | 0 |
Leadership Equity Acquisition Plan III
| Grant / award date |
Investment and performance period |
Number of invest ment shares |
Number of invest ment options |
Maximum number of matching units at 1 Jan 2010 |
During 2010 | Maximum | Share | Value on vest/ deferral date |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | Share price on grant date |
Granted/ (lapsed) units |
Additional dividend shares |
Vested or deferred shares |
number of matching units at 31 Dec 2010 |
price on vest/ deferral date |
||||||
| Sir Martin Sorrell | 15.12.09 | 01.01.09 – | 31.12.13 365,878 | — | £ 6.1025 | 1,829,390 | — | — | — | 1,829,390 | — | — |
| 24.11.10 | 01.01.10 – | 31.12.14 416,666 | — | £ 7.2475 | — | 2,083,330 | — | — | 2,083,330 | — | — | |
| Paul Richardson | 15.12.09 | 01.01.09 – | 31.12.13 103,423 | — | £ 6.1025 | 517,115 | — | — | — | 517,115 | — | — |
| 24.11.10 | 01.01.10 – | 31.12.14 100,968 | — | £ 7.2475 | — | 504,840 | — | — | 504,840 | — | — | |
| Mark Read | 15.12.09 | 01.01.09 – 31.12.13 |
27,406 | — | £ 6.1025 | 137,030 | — | — | — | 137,030 | — | — |
| 24.11.10 | 01.01.10 – 31.12.14 |
25,281 | — | £ 7.2475 | — | 126,405 | — | — | 126,405 | — | — |
The vesting schedule used for the awards under LEAP III is shown in the following table. When actual performance is not exactly equal to a percentile in the table below, but is more than 50% and less than 90%, the percentage of Matching Shares will be determined on a straight-line basis between the relevant figures.
| Awards granted in 2009 and 2010 | |
|---|---|
| Aggregate market | |
| Capitalisation percentile | Number of matching shares |
| 90th percentile | 500% |
| 80th percentile | 420% |
| 70th percentile | 330% |
| 60th percentile | 240% |
| 50th percentile | 150% |
| 40th percentile | 0% |
| 30th percentile | 0% |
| 20th percentile | 0% |
| 10th percentile | 0% |
| Bottom | 0% |
The comparator groups used for the awards under Renewed LEAP (2006, 2007, 2008) and LEAP III (2009, 2010) are shown in the following table. Where a company that delists during a performance period has an undisturbed share price for less than 40% of that performance period, the Compensation Committee would usually exclude that company from the comparator group for the award in question. Otherwise, the company would usually be deemed to be disposed of and the proceeds reinvested, in respect of LEAP III, in a market capitalisation weighted index, and in respect of Renewed LEAP in a non-market capitalisation weighted index, both of which track the TSR of the remaining comparator companies.
| Grant year | Comparator group |
|---|---|
| 2006 | Aegis, Arbitron, Dentsu, Gfk, Havas Advertising, Interpublic, Ipsos, Omnicom Group, Publicis and Taylor Nelson Sofres |
| 2007 | Aegis, Arbitron, Dentsu, Gfk, Havas Advertising, Interpublic, Ipsos, Omnicom Group, Publicis and Taylor Nelson Sofres |
| 2008 | Aegis, Arbitron, Dentsu, Gfk, Havas Advertising, Interpublic, Ipsos, Omnicom Group and Publicis |
| 2009 | Aegis, Arbitron, Dentsu, Gfk, Havas, Interpublic, Ipsos, Omnicom Group and Publicis |
| 2010 | Aegis, Arbitron, Dentsu, Gfk, Havas, Interpublic, Ipsos, Omnicom Group and Publicis |
The fees paid to non-executive directors (NEDs) are normally reviewed every two years and any changes are approved by the Board. Other than the Audit Committee chairman, the fee levels shown below have been effective since 1 January 2007. Accordingly, the Compensation Committee recommended, and the Board determined, that the existing structure should be adjusted as follows:
| Position/role | From 1 January 2011 |
2010 fees (effective from 1 January 2007) |
|---|---|---|
| Chairman | £425,000 | £300,000 |
| Senior independent director | £ 20,000 | £ 10,000 |
| Non-executive director | £ 65,000 | £ 60,000 |
| Chairmanship of Audit and Compensation Committee | £ 40,000 | £ 20,000 1 |
| Chairmanship of Nomination Committee | £ 15,000 | £ 10,000 |
| Member of Audit and Compensation Committee | £ 20,000 | £ 5,000 |
| Member of Nomination Committee | £ 5,000 |
£ 5,000 |
| 1 Fee for chairmanship of Audit Committee effective from 1 January 2009. |
From 1 January 2011, the chairman is not entitled to any further fees or salary for either chairmanship or membership of any of the Company's committees. UK-based NEDs who are required to travel outside the UK to consider Company-related matters at meetings called at short notice will be paid £1,000 for attendance at each of those meetings. The fees detailed above are the only payments receivable by NEDs. Mr Morten will also be paid a fee of £20,000 for additional services that he provides to the Board.
The table below shows actual fees paid for the year 2010. The notice period for all NEDs is two months.
| Director | Date of original contract |
Expiry of current contract |
Committee membership | Fee for 2010 £000 |
Fee for 2009 £000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P Lader | 26.02.01 | 05.10.11 | Chairman of the Company, chairman of Nomination Committee and member of Compensation Committee |
315 | 315 |
| C Day | 25.07.05 | 05.10.11 | Member of Audit Committee and member of Compensation Committee from 1 December 2010 | 65 | 65 |
| E Dyson | 29.06.99 | 05.10.11 | Member of Compensation Committee and member of Nomination Committee | 70 | 70 |
| O Gadiesh | 28.04.04 | 05.10.11 | Member of Nomination Committee | 65 | 65 |
| R Li | 11.10.10 | 11.10.13 | Appointed to the Board in October 2010 | 14 | n/a |
| S W Morten | 02.12.91 | 05.10.11 | Senior independent director until April 2010 and ex officio member of all committees | 1 70 |
71 |
| 2 K Naganuma |
23.01.04 | 05.10.11 | — | — | |
| 3 L Olayan |
18.03.05 | 05.10.11 | Member of Nomination Committee | — | — |
| 4 J A Quelch |
10.07.91 | 05.10.11 | 94 | 85 | |
| J Rosen | 20.12.04 | 05.10.11 | Chairman of Compensation Committee, member of Audit Committee and Senior Independent Director since April 2010 |
82 | 75 |
| T Shriver | 06.08.07 | 05.10.11 | Member of Audit Committee until 29 June 2010 and member of Compensation Committee from 29 June 2010 |
65 | 65 |
| P Spencer | 28.04.04 | 05.10.11 | Chairman of Audit Committee | 80 | 80 |
S Trujillo 12.10.10 12.10.13 Appointed to the Board in October 2010, member of the Audit Committee from 12 October 2010 15 n/a
Fee includes ex officio payment of £6,000. 1 2
Received no fees in 2009 and 2010. 3
Waived fees in 2009 and 2010.
Fee includes £34,038 (£24,515 in 2009) for consulting services. 4
In accordance with the UK Corporate Governance Code, all of the directors will submit themselves for annual reelection at each Annual General Meeting. Directors may be appointed by share owners by ordinary resolution or by the Board on the recommendation of the Nomination Committee and must then stand for re-election at the next Annual General Meeting where they may be re-elected by ordinary resolution of the share owners.
Information regarding the period during which each director has served is set forth in Item 6A.
The Company's policy is that contracts should be on a rolling basis and will not include either a fixed term or liquidated damages provisions. Sir Martin Sorrell's service contract may be terminated by the Company or by Sir Martin without, in either case, notice needing to be given — a so called 'contract at will'. This means that the Company may terminate Sir Martin's service contract without the need to pay compensation for any notice period.
| Executive director | Effective from | Notice period |
|---|---|---|
| Sir Martin Sorrell | 19 Nov 2008 | "At will" |
| Paul Richardson | 19 Nov 2008 | 12 months |
| Mark Read | 19 Nov 2008 | 6 months |
Executive directors are permitted to serve as non-executives on the boards of other organisations. If the Company is a share owner in that organisation, non-executive fees for these roles are waived. However, if the Company is not a share owner in that organisation, any non-executive fees can be retained by the office holder.
During 2010, the Compensation Committee comprised the following:
No member of the committee has any personal financial interest (other than as a share owner as disclosed on page 59) in the matters to be decided by the committee, potential conflicts of interest arising from cross-directorships or day-today involvement in running the Group's businesses.
The terms of reference for the Compensation Committee are available on the Company's website at www.wpp.com and will be on display at the Annual General Meeting (AGM), as set out in the Notice of AGM.
The committee's principal responsibilities under its terms of reference include:
overseeing the adequacy of disclosures throughout the year regarding director compensation, stock transactions and benefits;
approving the policy for authorising claims for expenses from directors and senior executives; and
The Compensation Committee regularly consults with Group executives, particularly the Group chief executive (who is not present when matters relating to his own compensation or contracts are discussed and decided), the chief talent officer and the worldwide director of compensation & benefits. The latter two individuals provide a perspective on information reviewed by the committee and are a conduit for requests for information and analysis from the Company's external advisors. Towers Watson, are the committee's appointed compensation advisors; they did not provide any other material services to the Group. Squire Sanders Hammonds advises the committee on legal and tax issues relating to compensation and benefits, and provides legal advice on a range of matters to the Group.
The Compensation Committee receives external advice on all matters pertaining to the determination of fair and appropriate compensation packages for the executive directors. This advice covers competitive practice in comparator companies, tax and regulatory changes and governance issues related to the role of the Compensation Committee.
During 2010, the Audit Committee comprised Paul Spencer, Jeffrey Rosen, Colin Day, Sol Trujillo and Tim Shriver. Tim Shriver stepped down from the committee in July 2010 and Sol Trujillo was appointed to the committee in October 2010.
Meetings of the Audit Committee, of which there were nine during 2010, were also attended (by invitation for all or part of any meeting) by the external auditors, the Company's chairman, the Group finance director, Bud Morten, the director of internal audit, the Group chief counsel, deputy Group chief counsel and the Company Secretary. Preparatory meetings were also held with the internal and external auditors as well as members of the Company's senior management including the heads of the Tax, Treasury, Legal and Group Reporting teams. The committee received presentations from the heads of Tax, Transaction Services and Treasury. The committee also received reports from the Disclosure Committee in relation to the Disclosure Committee's review and work on financial reports. The Board received regular reports on all matters of particular significance arising at the committee meetings.
The committee's terms of reference, which are reviewed with the Board annually and most recently in April 2011, are available for inspection on the Company's website at www.wpp.com and are on display prior to and at all general meetings of the Company.
During the year, the committee and its members were formally assessed by the chairman of the Company for their technical suitability to be members of the committee and also for the committee's overall effectiveness. The Board has designated Paul Spencer as the committee's financial expert for Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) purposes and as having recent and relevant financial experience for the purposes of the Combined Code and the UK Corporate Governance Code.
The committee has once again overseen the progress towards compliance with Section 404 of SOX for 2010, through regular status reports submitted by the internal and external auditors.
The committee received and reviewed regular reports on both the Company's Right to Speak helpline, which is made available to employees to enable them to communicate confidentially on matters of concern and the actions taken in response to those calls.
The committee has established a policy regarding non-audit services that may be provided by the external auditors, which prohibits certain categories of work in line with relevant guidance on independence, such as ethical standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board, standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and SOX. Other categories of work may be provided by the auditors if it is appropriate for them to do so. The provision of such services and associated fees are pre-approved by the committee, either as individual assignments or as aggregate amounts for specified categories of services. All fees are summarised periodically for the committee to assess the aggregate value of non-audit fees against audit fees. The level of fees for 2010 is shown in note 3 to the financial statements and in Item 16C.
In line with the committee's responsibility to review and appoint the external auditors and approve their remuneration and terms of engagement, in 2010 the committee monitored Deloitte's independence, objectivity and performance with reference to frequent reports from Deloitte during the year covering the overall audit strategy and the progress and results of the audit. The committee recommends the reappointment of Deloitte.
Other work carried out by the committee in 2010 included:
The assets of communications services businesses are primarily their employees, and the Company is highly dependent on the talent, creative abilities and technical skills of its personnel and the relationships its personnel have with clients. The Company believes that its operating companies
have established reputations in the industry that attract talented personnel. However, the Company, like all communications services businesses, is vulnerable to adverse consequences from the loss of key employees due to the competition among these businesses for talented personnel. On 31 December 2010, the Group, including all employees of associated undertakings, had approximately 146,000 employees located in approximately 2,400 offices in 107 countries compared with 138,000 and 135,000 as of 31 December 2009 and 2008, respectively. Excluding all employees of associated undertakings, this figure is 104,052 (2009: 98,759, 2008: 112,262). The average number of employees in 2010 was 101,387 compared to 105,318 and 97,438 in 2009 and 2008, respectively, including acquisitions. Their geographical distribution was as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 25,546 | 25,004 | 24,493 |
| United Kingdom | 9,620 | 9,704 | 8,971 |
| Western Continental Europe | 21,154 | 22,230 | 19,448 |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and Middle East and Central & Eastern | |||
| Europe | 45,067 | 48,380 | 44,526 |
| 101,387 | 105,318 | 97,438 |
Their operating sector distribution was as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising and Media Investment Management | 42,424 | 42,906 | 45,754 |
| Consumer Insight | 28,167 | 28,325 | 14,934 |
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 7,364 | 7,325 | 7,682 |
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications | 23,432 | 26,762 | 29,068 |
| 101,387 | 105,318 | 97,438 |
Directors' interests in the Company's ordinary share capital, all of which were beneficial (unless otherwise stated), are shown in the following table. Save as disclosed in this table and in the rest of Item 6, no director had any interest in any contract of significance with the Group during the year. Each executive director has a technical interest as an employee and potential beneficiary in shares in the Company held under the ESOPs. As at 31 December 2010, the Company's ESOPs (which are entirely independent of the Company and have waived their rights to receive dividends) held in total 22,083,378 shares in the Company (24,941,529 in 2009). Further details of the long-term incentive plans are given in Item 6B.
| At 1 Jan 2010 or appointment |
Shares acquired through long term incentive plan awards in 2010 |
Movement during 2010 inc. shares purchased |
At 31 Dec 2010 or earlier retirement or |
Shares acquired through long term incentive plan awards in 2011 |
Other movements since 31 Dec |
At 18 Apr | Shares contributed to charity 2007-2011 (and no longer beneficially |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| date | Vested (sold) in 2010 |
resignation | Vested | (sold) | 2010 | 2011 | owned) | |||
| C Day | 5,240 | — | — | 10,000 | 15,240 | — | — | — | 15,240 | — |
| E Dyson | 35,000 | — | — | — | 35,000 | — | — | — | 35,000 | — |
| O Gadiesh | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| P Lader | 11,950 | — | — | — | 11,950 | — | — | — | 11,950 | — |
| R Li | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| S W Morten | 20,000 | — | — | — | 20,000 | — | — | — | 20,000 | — |
| 1 K Naganuma |
— | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| L Olayan | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| J A Quelch | 12,000 | — | — | — | 12,000 | — | — | — | 12,000 | — |
| 2 M Read |
79,272 | 71,677 | (56,698) | 2,875 | 97,126 | 139,782 | (139,782) | 6,355 | 103,481 | — |
| 2,3 P W G Richardson |
330,907 | 327,778 | (164,219) | 324 | 494,790 | 456,926 | (415,926) | — | 535,790 | — |
| J Rosen | 12,000 | — | — | — | 12,000 | — | — | — | 12,000 | — |
| T Shriver | 5,000 | — | — | 5,000 | 10,000 | — | — | — | 10,000 | — |
| P Spencer | 10,000 | — | — | — | 10,000 | — | — | — | 10,000 | — |
| S Trujillo | — | — | — | 10,000 | 10,000 | — | — | — | 10,000 | — |
| 2,4,5,6,7 Sir Martin Sorrell |
16,405,342 | 722,678 | (122,536) | (147,883) 16,857,601 | 930,262 | — | (264,000) 17,523,863 | 8 805,936 |
K Naganuma is a director of Asatsu-DK, which at 18 April 2011 had interests in 31,295,646 shares representing 2.47% of the issued share capital of the Company. 1
Interests include investment shares committed to the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 awards under the LEAP plans but do not include matching shares from these plans, if any. 2
In September 2010, AIB Group (UK) plc released from its charge to Paul Richardson 256,319 shares in the Company. These shares and 203,471 WPP ordinary shares also owned by Paul Richardson were converted into 91,958 WPP American Depositary Receipts. In September 2010, Paul Richardson agreed to charge 91,958 ADRs to Bank of America, N .A. as security for bank facilities being made available to him. 3
Includes 3,790,489 shares pursuant to the vesting of the 2004 and 2005 awards and part of the 2006 award granted under LEAP. The receipt of these awards has been deferred until November 2017. 4
Includes 3,636,950 shares which originally formed part of the Capital Investment Plan (an award in respect of 4,691,392 shares in total, some of which have been received by Sir Martin Sorrell) and comprised the UK and US Deferred Stock Units Awards Agreements. 5
In September 2010, Sir Martin Sorrell and the trustees of two family life interest trusts of Sir Martin Sorrell charged to HSBC Private Bank Limited 984,770 and 3,863,147 ordinary shares in the Company respectively as security for facilities. These shares were previously charged to AIB Group (UK) plc as security for facilities, but were released in September 2010. In September 2010, JMS Financial Services Limited Retirement Benefit Scheme transferred 3,001,073 ordinary shares in the Company to Sir Martin Sorrell. Sir Martin Sorrell charged these shares to HSBC as further security of the facilities made available to him. These shares were previously charged to AIB Group (UK) plc as security for facilities, but were released from the charge in September 2010. 6 7
In March 2011, Sir Martin Sorrell gifted 264,000 ordinary shares to the JMMRJ Sorrell Charitable Foundation. The JMMRJ Sorrell Charitable Foundation, of which Sir Martin Sorrell is a joint trustee, is interested in 805,936 WPP plc shares. Sir Martin has no beneficial interest in these shares. 8
The options held by Mark Read at 31 December 2010 were granted prior to him becoming a director of the Company.
| Grant/ award date |
End of exercise period |
Exercise price |
At 1 Jan 2010 (no. of shares) |
Granted/ (lapsed) 2010 (no. of shares) |
Exercised 2010 (no. of shares) |
Share price on exercise |
Value on exercise |
At 31 Dec 2010 (no. of shares) |
Share price 31 Dec 1 2010 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mark Read | 17.11.2003 | 17.11.2013 | £5.595 | 10,615 | — | — | — | — | 10,615 | £ | 7.895 |
| 29.10.2004 | 29.10.2014 | £5.535 | 9,879 | — | — | — | — | 9,879 | £ | 7.895 | |
Share price 12-month high/low: £7.95/£5.725. 1
As of the dates shown below, the Company is aware of the following interests of 3% or more in the issued ordinary share capital of the Company:
| 18 April | 16 April | 30 April | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | ||||
| Legal & General | 3.78% | 47,884,647 | 3.99% | 50,154,226 | 4.39% | 55,109,569 |
| BlackRock Inc. | * | * | 5.10% | 64,106,906 | * | * |
| AXA S.A. | * | * | 4.95% | 62,221,408 | * | * |
| Massachusetts Financial Services Company | * | * | 4.84% | 60,838,710 | 4.84% | 60,758,614 |
| Invesco plc | * | * | * | * | 4.60% | 57,745,790 |
| * No interests in the issued ordinary share capital of the Company in excess of 3.0% have been notified to the Company. |
The disclosed interests refer to the respective combined holdings of those entities and to interests associated with them. The Company has not been notified of any other holdings of ordinary share capital of 3% or more. None of these shareholders has voting rights that are different from those of the holders of the Company's ordinary shares generally. As far as WPP is aware, it is neither directly nor indirectly owned or controlled by one or more corporations or by any government, or by any other natural or legal persons severally or jointly.
The number of outstanding ordinary shares at 31 December 2010 was 1,264,391,221 which includes the underlying ordinary shares represented by 10,766,211 ADSs. 223 share owners of record of WPP ordinary shares were US residents at 31 December 2010.
The geographic distribution of our share ownership as of 31 December 2010 is presented below:
| United Kingdom | 38% |
|---|---|
| United States | 34% |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East, Canada and Continental | |
| Europe | 28% |
| Total | 100% |
From time to time the Group enters into transactions with its associated undertakings. These transactions were not material for any of the years presented.
Not applicable.
See Item 18.
The Company has claims against others and there are claims against the Company in a variety of matters arising from the conduct of its business. In the opinion of the management of the Company, the ultimate liability, if any, that is likely to result from these matters would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position, or on the results of its operations.
The profit before tax for the year was £851.3 million (2009: £662.6 million, 2008: £746.8 million). The directors declared a second interim dividend of 11.82p (2009: 10.28p, 2008: 10.28p) per share to be paid on 4 July 2011 to share owners on the register at 3 June 2011 which, together with the first interim ordinary dividend of 5.97p (2009: 5.19p, 2008: 5.19p) per share paid on 8 November 2010, makes a total of 17.79p for the year (2009: 15.47p, 2008: 15.47p).
ADS holders are eligible for all stock dividends or other entitlements accruing on the underlying WPP plc shares and receive all cash dividends in US dollars. These are normally paid twice a year. Dividend cheques are mailed directly to the ADS holder on the payment date if ADSs are registered with WPP's US Depositary, Citibank N.A. Dividends on ADSs that are registered with brokers are sent to the brokers, who forward them to ADS holders.
Following the scheme of arrangement on 19 November 2008, WPP put in place a dividend access plan (the "Dividend Access Plan") under which share owners may elect to be paid dividends from WPP DAS Limited (a subsidiary of WPP formed in 2008 and resident for tax purposes in the UK) rather than from WPP (a company resident for tax purposes in Ireland). The Dividend Access Plan is primarily designed to ensure that share owners may continue to receive UK dividends, meaning in particular that under the Dividend Access Plan, no Irish tax is required to be withheld from the payment of dividends to share owners. The tax consequences of receiving dividends under the Dividend Access Plan or directly from WPP are described in Item 10E.
Share owners who hold more than 100,000 ordinary shares and who wish to receive their dividend from a United Kingdom source must make an election and should contact Computershare Investor Services for the relevant forms. Share owners who held 100,000 or fewer WPP ordinary shares on the date of admission of the Company's shares to the London Stock Exchange, or (if later) on the first dividend record date after they became share owners in the Company, will be automatically deemed to have elected to receive a United Kingdom-sourced dividend. All elections remain in force indefinitely unless revoked. Unless share owners have made, or are deemed to have made, an election under the Dividend Access Plan, their dividends will be paid from an Irish source and be taxed accordingly.
In 2009 WPP DAS Limited issued one dividend access share to Computershare, which acts as trustee pursuant to a dividend access trust that has been constituted pursuant to a trust deed. The trust deed provides that:
(a) the dividend access trust will hold any dividends paid (not just declared) on the dividend access share in trust for share owners who have elected (or are deemed to have elected) to receive dividends pursuant to this arrangement; and
(b) each registered share owner on a dividend record date who has made a valid election (or is deemed to have made a valid election) under the Dividend Access Plan will, assuming WPP DAS Limited has sufficient distributable reserves as at the time of the distribution to the trustee, be entitled to receive from the trustee an amount equal to the dividend it would have received from WPP, to the extent that the trustee has actually received an amount by way of dividend from WPP DAS Limited.
To ensure compliance with UK trust law rules, the period during which the dividend access trust may continue is restricted. However, the dividend access trust under current law is able to continue for 80 years.
Share owners will not have any interest in the dividend access share and will not have any rights against WPP DAS Limited as the issuer of the dividend access share. The only assets held in trust for the benefit of share owners will be dividends paid to the trustee in respect of the dividend access share.
To the extent that dividends paid to the dividend access trust are insufficient to fund an amount equal to the dividend paid on the relevant ordinary shares, any dividend on the dividend access share received by the dividend access trust will be allocated pro rata to the relevant share owners and WPP will pay the balance of the dividend due to those share owners by way of a dividend on the ordinary shares. Any such dividend paid on ordinary shares will have an Irish source and will generally be subject to Irish dividend withholding tax at such rate as may be applicable under Irish law or the exemptions from Irish dividend withholding tax contained in Irish law or any applicable double tax treaty. In such circumstances, there will be no grossing up by WPP nor will WPP DAS Limited or WPP compensate share owners for any adverse consequences including any Irish dividend withholding tax.
WPP and WPP DAS Limited reserve the right to suspend or terminate the Dividend Access Plan arrangements at any time, in which case, any dividends will be paid directly to all share owners (including share owners who have made or are deemed to have made) an election to participate in the Dividend Access Plan.
In accordance with the provisions of the Deposit Agreement by and among WPP, Citibank, N.A., as Depositary, and the holders and beneficial owners of WPP's ADSs, the Depositary has made an election on behalf of all holders of ADSs to receive dividends from WPP DAS Limited under the Dividend Access Plan. If a holder of ADSs does not wish to receive dividends from WPP DAS Limited under the Dividend Access Plan, the holder must withdraw his or her ordinary shares from the ADS program prior to the dividend record date set by the Depositary and request delivery of the ordinary shares. This will enable the holder to receive dividends from WPP (if necessary, by making an election to that effect).
WPP DAS Limited 2010 financial statements are presented on page F-49.
None.
Share price history
The Company's ordinary shares have been traded on The London Stock Exchange since 1971.
The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low middle-market quotations for the Company's ordinary shares on The London Stock Exchange, based on its Daily Official List.
| £ per Ordinary Share |
||
|---|---|---|
| High | Low | |
| 2006 | 7.07 | 6.09 |
| 2007 | 7.88 | 5.77 |
| 2008 | 6.48 | 3.10 |
| 2009 | ||
| First Quarter | 4.40 | 3.53 |
| Second Quarter | 4.93 | 3.98 |
| Third Quarter | 5.51 | 3.85 |
| Fourth Quarter | 6.15 | 5.26 |
| 2010 | ||
| First Quarter | 6.83 | 5.73 |
| Second Quarter | 7.40 | 6.08 |
| Third Quarter | 7.30 | 6.15 |
| October | 7.44 | 6.97 |
| November | 7.55 | 7.12 |
| December | 7.95 | 7.29 |
| Fourth Quarter | 7.95 | 6.97 |
| 2011 | ||
| January | 8.02 | 7.73 |
| February | 8.47 | 7.78 |
| March | 8.37 | 7.38 |
| First Quarter | 8.47 | 7.38 |
The ordinary shares have traded in the United States since 29 December 1987 in the form of ADSs, which are evidenced by ADRs or held in book entry form. The Depositary for the ADSs is Citibank, N.A. in New York. The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the reported high and low sales prices of the ADSs as reported by NASDAQ.
| US dollars per ADS | ||
|---|---|---|
| High | Low | |
| 2006 | 67.90 | 53.72 |
| 2007 | 77.93 | 59.47 |
| 2008 | 63.19 | 23.28 |
| 2009 | ||
| First Quarter | 31.26 | 24.54 |
| Second Quarter | 39.22 | 29.47 |
| Third Quarter | 44.96 | 31.03 |
| Fourth Quarter | 49.99 | 41.76 |
| 2010 | ||
| First Quarter | 51.55 | 44.30 |
| Second Quarter | 57.03 | 44.48 |
| Third Quarter | 57.07 | 46.97 |
| October | 58.51 | 55.23 |
| November | 61.33 | 55.56 |
| December | 61.97 | 57.02 |
| Fourth Quarter | 61.97 | 55.23 |
| 2011 | ||
| January | 63.91 | 60.65 |
| February | 68.78 | 62.84 |
| March | 68.17 | 58.74 |
| First Quarter | 68.78 | 58.74 |
The Depositary held 53,831,058 ordinary shares as at 31 December 2010, approximately 4.26% of the outstanding ordinary shares, represented by 10,766,211 outstanding ADSs.
Not applicable.
See the discussion under "Share price history" in Item 9A.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
WPP is a public limited company incorporated under the name "WPP plc" in Jersey with registered number 101749.
The following summarizes certain provisions of our memorandum and articles of association and applicable Jersey law. This summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Jersey Companies Law and our memorandum and articles of association. A copy of our memorandum and articles of association in the form adopted on 30 September 2008 is filed as an exhibit to a Form 6-K that we filed with the SEC on 9 December 2008.
Under the Jersey Companies Law, the capacity of a Jersey company is not limited by anything contained in its memorandum or articles of association. Accordingly, the memorandum of association of a Jersey company does not contain an objects clause.
Voting rights of share owners – subject to disenfranchisement in the event of: (A) non-payment of any call or other sum due and payable in respect of any ordinary share; or (B) any non-compliance with any statutory notice requiring disclosure of the beneficial ownership of any ordinary shares and subject to any special rights or restrictions as to voting for the time being attached to any ordinary shares (as to which there are none at present), on a show of hands every qualifying person (i.e. share owner, proxy or authorised corporate representative) present has one vote and on a poll every share owner present in person or by proxy has one vote for every ordinary share of which he or she is a holder, except that any proxy who has been appointed by the Depositary shall have such number of votes as equals the number of ordinary shares in relation to which such proxy has been appointed. In the case of joint holders, the vote of the person whose name stands first in the register of members and who tenders a vote is accepted to the exclusion of any votes tendered by any other joint holders.
Return of capital – the liquidator may, with the sanction of a special resolution of WPP and any other sanction required by the Statutes: (A) divide among the WPP share owners in specie the whole or any part of the assets of WPP; or (B) vest the whole or any part of the assets in trustees on such trusts for the benefit of share owners as the liquidator shall think fit, but no share owner shall be compelled to accept any assets upon which there is any liability. The "Statutes" means the Jersey Companies Law and every other statute, statutory instrument, regulation or order, for the time being in force, concerning companies registered under the Jersey Companies Law, including the Electronic Communication (Jersey) Law 2000 and the Companies (Uncertificated Securities) (Jersey) Order 1999.
The board of directors may, with the authority of an ordinary resolution of WPP: (A) resolve to capitalise any sum standing to the credit of any reserve account of WPP (including share premium account and capital redemption reserve) or any sum standing to the credit of profit and loss account
not required for the payment of any preferential dividend (whether or not it is available for distribution); and (B) appropriate that sum as capital to the share owners in proportion to the nominal amount of the ordinary shares held by them respectively and apply that sum on their behalf in paying up in full any unissued ordinary shares or debentures of WPP of a nominal amount equal to that sum and allot the ordinary shares or debentures credited as fully paid to those share owners, or as they may direct, in those proportions or in paying up the whole or part of any amounts that are unpaid in respect of any issued ordinary shares held by them respectively, or otherwise deal with such sum as directed by the resolution, provided that the share premium account and the capital redemption reserve and any sum not available for distribution in accordance with the Statutes may only be applied in paying up unissued ordinary shares to be allotted credited as fully paid up.
Subject to any restrictions in the articles of association, a share owner may transfer all or any of his ordinary shares in any manner that is permitted by the Statutes and is from time to time approved by the board of directors. WPP shall register the transfer of any ordinary shares held in uncertificated form by means of a relevant system in accordance with the Statutes. The board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register any transfer of an uncertificated share where permitted by articles of association and the Statutes.
A share owner may transfer all or any of his certificated ordinary shares by an instrument of transfer in any usual form, or in such other form as the board of directors may approve. The instrument of transfer shall be signed by or on behalf of the transferor and, except in the case of a fully paid share, by or on behalf of the transferee. The board of directors may, in its absolute discretion, refuse to register any transfer of any certificated ordinary share that is not fully paid up (but not so as to prevent dealings in ordinary shares admitted to official listing by the United Kingdom Listing Authority (UKLA) from taking place on an open and proper basis) or on which WPP has a lien. The board of directors may also refuse to register any instrument of transfer of a certificated ordinary share unless it is lodged at the registered office, or such other place as the board of directors may decide, for registration, accompanied by the share certificate for the ordinary shares to be transferred and such other evidence as the board of directors may reasonably require to prove title of the intending transferor or his right to transfer the ordinary shares and it is in respect of only one class of WPP shares. If the board of directors refuses to register a transfer of a certificated ordinary share it shall, as soon as practicable and in any event within two months after the date on which the instrument of transfer was lodged or the operator-instruction was received, give to the transferee notice of the refusal. The board of directors must provide the transferee with such further information about the reasons for the refusal as the transferee may reasonably request. Unless otherwise agreed by the board of directors in any particular case, the maximum number of persons who may be entered on the register as joint holders of an ordinary share is four.
Subject to the provisions of the Jersey Companies Law, WPP may by special resolution:
Subject to the provisions of the Jersey Companies Law, WPP may by special resolution:
WPP may from time to time pass an ordinary resolution authorizing the board of directors to exercise all the powers of WPP to allot relevant securities up to the nominal amount specified in the resolution. The authority shall expire on the day specified in the resolution, not being more than five years after the date on which the resolution is passed.
On the passing of a special resolution, the board of directors shall have power to allot equity securities for cash but that power shall be limited: (A) to the allotment of equity securities in connection with a rights issue; and (B) to the allotment (other than in connection with a rights issue) of equity securities having a nominal amount not exceeding in aggregate the sum specified in the special resolution (i.e. the articles of association do not contain any pre-emption rights).
Whenever the share capital of WPP is divided into different classes of ordinary shares (which it is not as at the date of this document), all or any of the rights for the time being attached to any class of ordinary shares in issue may, subject to the Statutes, be varied, either in such manner as those rights may provide or with the consent in writing of the holders of two-thirds in nominal value of the issued ordinary shares of that class or with the sanction of a special resolution passed at a separate general meeting of the holders of those ordinary shares. At any separate general meeting, the necessary quorum is two persons holding or representing by proxy at least one-third in nominal amount of the issued ordinary shares of the class in question (but at any adjourned meeting, one person holding ordinary shares of the class or his proxy is a quorum).
WPP may give a disclosure notice to any person whom it believes is either:
The disclosure notice may require the person:
The notice may require the person to whom it is addressed, where either:
• whether persons interested in the same ordinary shares are or were parties to either an agreement to acquire interests in a particular company, or an agreement or arrangement relating to the exercise of any rights conferred by the holding of the ordinary shares.
The notice may require the person to whom it is addressed, where his interest is a past interest, to give (so far as lies within his knowledge) particulars of the identity of the person who held that interest immediately upon his ceasing to hold it.
Failure to provide the information within 14 days after the notice has been given means that the holder of the relevant ordinary shares shall not be entitled to vote either personally or by proxy at a shareholders' meeting or to exercise any other right confirmed by membership in relation to shareholder meetings for so long as the default continues (and, if those ordinary shares represent at least 0.25 percent of the issued ordinary shares of the class, the holder shall not be entitled to receive any payment by way of dividend or to transfer any rights in the ordinary shares).
The register of members of WPP must be kept and maintained in Jersey.
Subject to the Jersey Companies Law and the Uncertificated Securities Order (as defined in the articles of association), the board of directors may permit any class of ordinary shares to be held in uncertificated form and to be transferred by means of a relevant system and may revoke such permission. In relation to any uncertificated ordinary share, WPP may utilise the relevant system in which it is held to the fullest extent available from time to time in the exercise of any of its powers or functions under the Statutes or the articles of association or otherwise in effecting any actions. Any provision in the articles of association in relation to uncertificated ordinary shares that is inconsistent with any applicable statutory provision shall not apply. WPP may, by notice to the holder of an uncertificated share, require the holder to change the form of that ordinary share to certificated form within such period as may be specified in the notice. For the purpose of effecting any action by WPP, the board of directors may determine that holdings of the same share owner in uncertificated form and in certificated form shall be treated as separate holdings but ordinary shares of a class held by a person in uncertificated form shall not be treated as a separate class from ordinary shares of that class held by that person in certificated form.
The WPP directors (other than alternate directors) shall not, unless otherwise determined by an ordinary resolution of WPP, be fewer than six in number.
A director need not be a share owner.
There is no age limit for directors.
At each Annual General Meeting any director then in office who has been appointed by the board of directors since the previous Annual General Meeting or for whom it is the third Annual General Meeting following the Annual General Meeting at which he was elected or re-elected shall retire from office but shall be eligible for re-election.
The directors shall be paid fees not exceeding in aggregate £1,500,000 per annum (or such larger sum as WPP may, by ordinary resolution, determine) as the board of directors may decide to be
divided among them. Such fee shall be divided among them in such proportion and manner as they may agree or, failing agreement, equally.
The board of directors may grant special remuneration to any director who performs any special or extra services to, or at the request of, WPP. Special remuneration may be payable to a director in addition to his ordinary remuneration (if any) as a director.
The directors shall also be paid out of the funds of WPP all expenses properly incurred by them in and about the discharge of their duties, including their expenses of travelling to and from the meetings of the board of directors, committee meetings and general meetings.
The board of directors may exercise all the powers of WPP to pay, provide or procure the grant of pensions or other retirement or superannuation benefits and death, disability or other benefits, allowances or gratuities to any person who is or has been at any time a director or in the employment or service of WPP or of any company that is or was a subsidiary of or associated with WPP or of the predecessors in business of WPP or any subsidiary or associated company or the relatives or dependants of any such person. For that purpose, the board of directors may procure the establishment and maintenance of, or participate in, or contribute to any non-contributory or contributory pension or superannuation fund, scheme or arrangement or pay any insurance premiums.
Subject to any applicable statutory provisions and to declaring his interests in accordance with the articles of association, a director may enter into or be interested in any transaction or arrangement with WPP, either with regard to his tenure of any office or position in the management, administration or conduct of the business of WPP, or as vendor, purchaser or otherwise. A director may hold and be remunerated in respect of any other office or place of profit with WPP (other than the office of auditor of WPP) in conjunction with his office as a director and he (or his firm) may also act in a professional capacity for WPP (except as auditor) and may be remunerated for it.
A director who, to his knowledge, is in any way, whether directly or indirectly, interested in a transaction or arrangement or a proposed transaction or arrangement with WPP or any of its subsidiaries, or if any situation exists in which a director has or can have a direct or indirect interest that conflicts with or may conflict with the interests of WPP, shall disclose to WPP the nature and extent of the interest or situation in accordance with the articles of association.
Board meetings and committee meetings shall not take place in the United Kingdom and no director may participate in any meeting if he is physically present in the United Kingdom at any time during the meeting. Any decision reached or resolution passed by the directors at any meeting that is held in the United Kingdom or any meeting in respect of which any director participating in the meeting is physically present in the United Kingdom during the meeting shall be invalid and of no effect. The place of the board meeting shall be deemed to be at the place at which the chairman of the meeting is physically present.
A director shall not vote or be counted in the quorum at a meeting in respect of any resolution concerning his own appointment (including fixing and varying its terms), or the termination of his own appointment, as the holder of any office or place of profit with WPP or any other company in which WPP is interested but, where proposals are under consideration concerning the appointment (including fixing or varying its terms), or the termination of the appointment, of two or more directors to offices or places of profit with WPP or any company in which WPP is interested, those proposals may be divided and considered in relation to each director separately, and in such case each of the directors concerned (if not otherwise debarred from voting under the articles of association) shall be entitled to vote and be counted in the quorum in respect of each resolution except that concerning his own appointment or the termination of his own appointment.
A director shall not vote (or be counted in the quorum at a meeting) in respect of any transaction or arrangement or other proposal in which he has an interest that (together with any interest of a connected person) is to his knowledge a direct or indirect interest and as may reasonably be required as likely to give rise to a conflict. Notwithstanding the above, a director shall be entitled to vote (and be counted in the quorum) on: (A) any transaction or arrangement in which he is interested by virtue of an interest in ordinary shares, debentures or other securities of WPP or otherwise in or through WPP; (B) the giving of any guarantee, security or indemnity in respect of money lent or obligations incurred by him or by any other person at the request of, or for the benefit of, WPP or any of its subsidiaries; or a debt or obligation of WPP or any of its subsidiaries for which he himself has assumed responsibility under a guarantee or indemnity or by the giving of security; (C) (subject to the Statutes) indemnification (including loans made in connection with it) by WPP in relation to the performance of his duties on behalf of WPP or any of its subsidiaries; (D) any issue or offer of ordinary shares, debentures or other securities of WPP or any of its subsidiaries in respect of which he is or may be entitled to participate in his capacity as holder of any such securities or as an underwriter or sub-underwriter; (E) any transaction or arrangement concerning another company in which he and any connected person do not to his knowledge hold, directly or indirectly as shareholders, or through their direct or indirect holdings of financial instruments (within the meaning of Chapter 5 of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules) voting rights representing one percent or more of any class of ordinary shares in the capital of such company; (F) any arrangement for the benefit of employees of WPP or any of its subsidiaries that does not accord to him any privilege or benefit not generally accorded to the employees to whom the arrangement relates; and (G) the purchase or maintenance of insurance for the benefit of the directors or for the benefit of persons including the directors. "Disclosure and Transparency Rules" means the rules and regulations made by the Financial Services Authority in its capacity as the UK Listing Authority under Part VI of the UK Financial Services and Markets Act of 2000, as amended, and contained in the UK Listing Authority's publication of the same name.
WPP shall not make a payment for loss of office to a director unless the payment has been approved by an ordinary resolution of WPP.
The board of directors shall convene, and WPP shall hold, an Annual General Meeting in accordance with the Statutes. Other general meetings shall be held whenever the board of directors thinks fit or on the requisition of WPP share owners in accordance with the Statutes or the articles of association.
An Annual General Meeting shall be called by not less than 21 days' written notice and any other general meeting shall be called by not less than 14 clear days' written notice.
The requisite quorum for general meetings of WPP shall be two qualifying persons, entitled to vote on the business to be transacted at the meeting.
The board of directors may exercise all the powers of WPP to borrow money and to mortgage or charge all or any part of its undertaking, property and assets (both present and future) and uncalled capital and to issue debentures and other securities, whether outright or as collateral security for any debt, liability or obligations of WPP or of any third party. The board of directors shall restrict the borrowings of WPP and exercise all voting and other rights or powers of control exercisable by WPP in relation to its subsidiaries (if any) so as to secure (as regards subsidiaries only so far as by such
exercise it can secure) that the aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time in respect of all borrowings by the WPP Group (exclusive of any borrowings that are owed by one WPP Group company to another WPP Group company) after deducting the amount of cash deposited will not, without the previous sanction of WPP in general meeting, exceed an amount equal to 2.5 times the adjusted capital and reserves (as defined in the articles of association) or any higher limit fixed by ordinary resolution of WPP that is applicable at the relevant time. "WPP Group" means WPP and its subsidiaries, subsidiary undertakings and associated undertakings.
To date, no resolution of the type referred to in this paragraph has been passed.
Declaration of dividends – subject to the provisions of the Jersey Companies Law, WPP may, by ordinary resolution, declare a dividend to be paid to the share owners, according to their respective rights and interests in the profits, and may fix the time for payment of such dividend, but no dividend shall exceed the amount recommended by the board of directors.
Fixed and interim dividends – subject to the provisions of the Jersey Companies Law, the board of directors may pay such interim dividends as appear to the board of directors to be justified by the financial position of WPP and may also pay any dividend payable at a fixed rate at intervals settled by the board of directors whenever the financial position of WPP, in the opinion of the board of directors, justifies its payment. If the board of directors acts in good faith, none of the directors shall incur any liability to the share owners conferring preferred rights for any loss such share owners may suffer in consequence of the lawful payment of an interim dividend on any ordinary shares having non-preferred or deferred rights.
Calculation and currency of dividends – except insofar as the rights attaching to, or the terms of issue of, any shares otherwise provide: (A) all dividends shall be declared and paid according to the amounts paid up on the ordinary shares in respect of which the dividend is paid, but no amount paid up on an ordinary share in advance of calls shall be treated as paid up on the ordinary share; (B) all dividends shall be apportioned and paid pro rata according to the amounts paid up on the ordinary shares during any portion or portions of the period in respect of which the dividend is paid; (C) any amount paid by WPP by way of dividend will be deemed to include any amount that WPP may be compelled by law to withhold or deduct; and (D) dividends may be declared or paid in any currency. The board of directors may agree with any share owner that dividends that may at any time or from time to time be declared or become due on his ordinary shares in one currency shall be paid or satisfied in another, and may agree the basis of conversion to be applied and how and when the amount to be paid in the other currency shall be calculated and paid and for WPP or any other person to bear any costs involved.
Dividends not to bear interest – no dividend or other moneys payable by WPP on or in respect of any ordinary share shall bear interest as against WPP unless otherwise provided by the rights attached to the ordinary share.
Calls or debts or amounts required by law may be deducted from dividends – the board of directors may deduct from any dividend or other moneys payable to any person (either alone or jointly with another) on or in respect of an ordinary share all such sums as may be due from him (either alone or jointly with another) to WPP on account of calls or otherwise in relation to ordinary shares.
Dividends in specie – with the authority of an ordinary resolution of WPP and on the recommendation of the board of directors, payment of any dividend may be satisfied wholly or in part by the distribution of specific assets and in particular of paid up ordinary shares or debentures of any other company.
Scrip dividends – the board of directors may, with the authority of an ordinary resolution of WPP, offer any share owners the right to elect to receive further ordinary shares (whether or not of that class) credited as fully paid, by way of scrip dividend instead of cash in respect of all (or some part) of any dividend specified by the ordinary resolution.
Subject to share owner approval at the Company's Annual General Meeting, the Board also proposes to put in place a scrip dividend scheme which will enable share owners to elect to receive new fully paid ordinary shares in the Company instead of cash dividends, commencing with the second interim dividend for 2010. Details of the scrip dividend scheme, including the taxation of the scrip dividend and details of the election date for the proposed scrip dividend alternative in respect of the second interim dividend for 2010, will be sent to share owners together with the notice of the Company's Annual General Meeting.
Unclaimed dividends – any dividend unclaimed for a period of 12 years after having become due for payment shall be forfeited and cease to remain owing by WPP.
If the whole or any part of any call or installment remains unpaid on any ordinary share after the due date for payment, the board of directors may serve a written notice on the share owner requiring him to pay so much of the call or installment as remains unpaid, together with any accrued interest.
The written notice shall state a further day, being not less than 14 clear days from the date of the notice, on or before which, and the place where, payment is to be made and shall state that, in the event of non-payment on or before the day and at the place appointed, the ordinary share in respect of which the call was made or installment is payable will be liable to be forfeited.
If the requirements of a notice are not complied with, any ordinary share in respect of which it was given may (before the payment required by the notice is made) be forfeited by a resolution of the board of directors. The forfeiture shall include all dividends declared and other moneys payable in respect of the forfeited ordinary share and not actually paid before the forfeiture.
Every ordinary share that is forfeited or surrendered shall become the property of WPP and (subject to the Statutes) may be sold, re-allotted or otherwise disposed of, upon such terms and in such manner as the board of directors shall decide either to the person who was before the forfeiture the share owner or to any other person and whether with or without all or any part of the amount previously paid up on the ordinary share being credited as so paid up.
The articles of association enable WPP to use its website as a means of sending or supplying documents or information to share owners. Before communicating with a share owner by means of its website, WPP must have asked the share owner, individually, to agree (generally or specifically) that WPP may send or supply documents or information to him by means of a website. A member shall be deemed to have agreed that WPP may send or supply a document or information by means of a website if no response to the request is received within 28 days. When communicating with share owners by means of website communications, WPP will notify the share owners (by post or other permitted means) of the presence of a document or information on the website.
As far as the legislation allows, WPP may:
(i) indemnify any director (or of an associated body corporate) against any liability;
(ii) indemnify a director of a company that is a trustee of an occupational pension scheme for employees (or former employees) of WPP (or of an associated body corporate) against liability incurred in connection with WPP's activities as trustee of the scheme;
(iii) purchase and maintain insurance against any liability for any director referred to in paragraph (i) or (ii) above; and
(iv) provide any director referred to in paragraph (i) or (ii) above with funds (whether by loan or otherwise) to meet expenditure incurred or to be incurred by him in defending any criminal, regulatory or civil proceedings or in connection with an application for relief (or to enable any such director to avoid incurring such expenditure).
The following is a summary of each contract (not being a contract entered into in the ordinary course of business) that has been entered into by any member of the WPP Group: (a) within the two years immediately preceding the date of this Form 20-F which are, or may be, material to the WPP Group; or (b) at any time which contain obligations or entitlements which are, or may be, material to the WPP Group as at the date of this Form 20-F:
(i) on 3 August 1998, WPP 2005 Limited entered into an agreement with Asatsu pursuant to which WPP 2005 Limited subscribed for approximately 23% (at that time) of the share capital of Asatsu for approximately £139 million and Asatsu subscribed for 31,295,646 ordinary shares in WPP 2005 Limited representing approximately 4% (at that time) of the issued share capital of WPP 2005 Limited. Each party agreed not to transfer any shares held by them in the other for a period of five years and thereafter only to transfer such shares following a procedure set out in the agreement. Each party is further entitled to nominate a nonexecutive director to the board of the other subject to retaining its shareholding in the other. Due to the disparity of the percentage shareholdings of WPP 2005 Limited in Asatsu and of Asatsu in WPP 2005 Limited, an agreement was also entered into on 3 August 1998 imposing, inter alia, limitations, in certain circumstances, on the voting rights in respect of the shares held by WPP 2005 Limited in Asatsu;
(ii) on 23 June 2004, WPP Finance (UK) issued US\$650,000,000 of 5.875% Notes due 2014 pursuant to the Indenture and the First Supplemental Indenture both dated as of 23 June 2004 among WPP Finance (UK), as Issuer, WPP 2005 Limited, as guarantor and Citibank N.A., as Trustee, as supplemented by the First Supplemental Indenture dated as of 23 June 2004 among WPP Finance (UK), as Issuer, WPP 2005 Limited, as Guarantor and Citibank N.A., as Trustee. The Notes were fully and unconditionally guaranteed by WPP 2008 Limited pursuant to the Second Supplemental Indenture dated 27 June 2006 and by WPP Young & Rubicam US Holdings (a subsidiary of WPP) pursuant to the Third Supplemental Indenture dated 19 December 2006. The Notes were fully and unconditionally guaranteed by WPP and WPP Air 1 Limited (a subsidiary of WPP) pursuant to the Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated 7 October 2008 and the Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated 30 April 2009. The Indenture contains events of default provisions (including a cross-default provision). It also contains a restriction on the Issuer or any of the guarantors referred to above consolidating or merging with any other person and conveying, transferring or leasing all or substantially all of their properties and assets to any person except where the entity resulting from such consolidation or merger or to whom such properties and assets are transferred becomes a primary obligor of the Notes and gives certain certificates and indemnities. The covenants of the Indenture also contain a negative pledge and a limitation on the sale and leaseback of any assets by the guarantors referred to above and their principal subsidiaries. The Indenture allows for defeasance of these covenants subject to certain conditions. The Indenture also contains a joint and several indemnity from the Issuer and the guarantors referred to above in favour of the Trustee;
(iii) on 23 August 2005, WPP 2005 Limited, WPP Finance Co. Limited and WPP Group U.S. Finance Corp. (as borrowers), guaranteed by WPP 2005 Limited, entered into an agreement for a seven-year multi-currency revolving credit facility (with a US Dollar swingline option) of US\$1,600,000,000 with a syndicate of banks and Citibank International plc as facility agent. The facility is available for drawing by way of multi-currency cash advances on a revolving basis, with an option to draw US Dollar swingline advances up to a sub-limit of US\$1,400,000,000. The rate of margin for the facility is 0.25% per annum (increasing to 0.275% per annum following the fifth anniversary of the date of the facility) above LIBOR. The commitment fee payable on undrawn commitments is equal to 30% of the then applicable margin. The interest rate for swingline advances is the higher of the US prime commercial lending rate and 0.25% per annum above the federal funds rate. WPP acceded to the facility as a borrower and a guarantor and each of WPP Air 1 Limited and WPP Air 3 Limited acceded to the facility as guarantors, in each case pursuant to an amendment and restatement agreement dated 17 November;
(iv) on 5 December 2006, WPP 2008 Limited issued EUR 600,000,000 4.375% guaranteed bonds due 2013. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP 2005 Limited and were constituted by a Trust Deed dated 5 December 2006 between Citicorp Trustee Company Limited, the guarantor and WPP 2008 Limited. The administration of payments to bondholders is provided for in a Paying Agency Agreement dated 5 December 2006 between WPP 2008 Limited, Citibank, N.A., London Branch and others. The bonds are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and the events of default provisions in the terms and conditions contain a cross-default provision. The Trust Deed also contains an indemnity by WPP 2008 Limited in favour of Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. Pursuant to a supplemental trust deed dated 14 November 2008, WPP, WPP Air 1 Limited and WPP Air 3 Limited acceded as additional guarantors to the bonds;
(v) on 4 April 2007, WPP 2008 Limited issued £400,000,000 6.0% guaranteed bonds due 2017. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP 2005 Limited and were constituted by a Trust Deed dated 4 April 2007 between Citicorp Trustee Company Limited, the guarantor and WPP 2008 Limited. The bonds are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and events of default provisions (including a cross-default provision). The Trust Deed also contains an indemnity by WPP 2008 Limited in favour of Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. Pursuant to a supplemental trust deed dated 14 November 2008, WPP, WPP Air 1 Limited and WPP Air 3 Limited acceded as additional guarantors to the bonds;
(vi) on 6 November 2007, WPP Finance S.A. issued EUR 500,000,000 5.25% guaranteed bonds due 2015 and £200,000,000 6.375% guaranteed bonds due 2020. Both tranches of bonds are guaranteed by WPP 2005 Limited and WPP 2008 Limited and were constituted respectively by two Trust Deeds dated 6 November 2007 between Citicorp Trustee Company Limited, the guarantors and WPP Finance S.A. The bonds are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and events of default provisions (including a cross-default provision). The Trust Deeds also contain indemnities by WPP Finance S.A. in favour of Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. Pursuant to a supplemental trust deed dated 14 November 2008, WPP, WPP Air 1 Limited and WPP Air 3 Limited acceded as additional guarantors to the bonds;
(vii) on 12 May 2008, WPP 2008 Limited issued EUR 750,000,000 6.625% guaranteed bonds due 2016. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP 2005 Limited and were constituted by a Trust Deed dated 12 May 2008 between Citicorp Trustee Company Limited, the guarantor and
WPP 2008 Limited. The bonds are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a redemption provision at the option of the bondholders on a Change of Control, a negative pledge provision and events of default provisions (including a cross-default provision). The Trust Deed also contains an indemnity by WPP 2008 Limited in favour of Citicorp Trustee Company Limited. Pursuant to a supplemental trust deed dated 14 November 2008, WPP, WPP Air 1 Limited and WPP Air 3 Limited acceded as additional guarantors to the bonds;
(viii) on 9 July 2008, WPP 2008 Limited and WPP Finance Co. Limited (as borrowers) and WPP and WPP 2005 Limited (as guarantors) entered into an agreement for a three-year revolving credit facility arranged by Banc of America Securities Limited, Banco Santander S.A., Barclays Capital, BNP Paribas, Citigroup Global Markets Limited, HSBC Bank plc and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as arrangers with Banco Santander S.A., London Branch, Barclays Bank PLC, BNP Paribas, BoA Netherlands Coöperatieve U.A., Citibank, N.A., HSBC Bank plc and The Royal Bank of Scotland plc as original lenders and Citibank International plc as facility agent. The amount of the facility is £600,000,000. The facility is available for drawing by way of multi-currency cash advances on a revolving basis. Pursuant to a side letter dated 12 November 2008, and in accordance with the terms of a syndication side letter between WPP and the original lenders dated 9 July 2008, the original lenders agreed to invoke their rights to market flex in order to enhance the prospects of successfully syndicating the facility. As a result the rate of margin for the facility is, if the long-term senior unsecured debt rating of WPP published by Moody's or Standard & Poor's (the "Credit Rating") is A-/A3 or higher, 1.125% per annum. If the Credit Rating is BBB+ or Baa1, the rate of margin for the facility shall be 1.25% per annum. If the Credit Rating is BBB or Baa2, the rate of margin for the facility is 1.75% per annum. If the Credit Rating is BBB- or Baa3 or lower, the rate of margin for the facility is 2.00% per annum. If Moody's and Standard & Poor's assign different Credit Ratings, the margin shall be the average of the margins determined by each Credit Rating. The commitment fee payable on undrawn commitments is equal to 40% of the then applicable margin. The facility agreement contains customary representations, covenants and events of default. The facility agreement also requires the prepayment of proceeds received from certain disposals. WPP acceded to the facility as a borrower and a guarantor and each of WPP Air 1 Limited and WPP Air 3 Limited acceded to the facility as guarantors, in each case pursuant to an amendment and restatement agreement dated 17 November 2008.
(ix) effective 19 November 2008, WPP entered into a deposit agreement with Citibank, N.A., as Depositary, and the holders and beneficial owners of ADSs that sets out the terms on which the Depositary has agreed to act as depositary with respect to the WPP ADSs issued in exchange for WPP 2008 Limited ADSs following effectiveness of the Scheme. The deposit agreement contains, amongst other things, customary provisions pertaining to the form of ADR certificates, the deposit and withdrawal of ordinary shares, distributions to holders of ADSs, voting of ordinary shares underlying ADSs, obligations of the Depositary and WPP, charges of the Depositary, and compliance with applicable law.
(x) On May 19, 2009, WPP plc issued £450,000,000 of 5.75% guaranteed convertible bonds due 2014. The bonds are guaranteed by WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited, WPP Air 1 Limited and WPP Air 3 Limited and were constituted by a trust deed dated May 19, 2009. The bonds are listed on the London Stock Exchange and the terms and conditions contain a conversion provision allowing bondholders to convert their bonds into ordinary shares of WPP plc within a specified period. The bonds contain a conversion option upon a change of control, a negative pledge and events of default provisions (including a cross default provision). The trust deed contains an indemnity in favour of Citicorp Trustee Company Limited.
(xi) On 10 June 2009, WPP Finance (UK) issued US\$600,000,000 of 8% guaranteed senior notes due 2014 pursuant to the Indenture and the First Supplemental Indenture both dated as
of 10 June 2009 among WPP Finance (UK), as Issuer, WPP plc, WPP Air 1 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as Guarantors, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee. The Indenture contains events of default provisions (including a cross-default provision). It also contains a restriction on the Issuer or any of the Guarantors referred to above consolidating or merging with any other person and conveying, transferring or leasing all or substantially all of their properties and assets to any person except where the entity resulting from such consolidation or merger or to whom such properties and assets are transferred becomes a primary obligor of the notes and gives certain certificates and indemnities. The covenants of the Indenture also contain a negative pledge and a limitation on the sale and leaseback of any assets by the Guarantors referred to above and their principal subsidiaries. The Indenture allows for defeasance of these covenants subject to certain conditions. The holders of the notes have the right to require the Issuer to repurchase the notes at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount of the notes in the event that there is a change of control of WPP plc and the notes lose their investment grade rating. The Indenture also contains a joint and several indemnity from the Issuer and the Guarantors referred to above in favour of the Trustee.
There are currently no Jersey foreign exchange control restrictions on remittances of dividends on the ordinary shares or on the conduct of the Registrant's operations.
The taxation discussion set forth below is intended only as a descriptive summary and does not purport to be a complete technical analysis or listing of all potential tax effects relevant to a decision to purchase, hold or in any way transfer ordinary shares or ADSs. Each investor should seek advice based on their individual particular circumstances from an independent tax adviser.
The following summary of the Republic of Ireland, Jersey (UK in relation to dividend distributions) and the United States tax consequences is not exhaustive of all possible tax considerations and should not be considered legal or tax advice. In addition, this summary does not represent a detailed description of the tax consequences applicable to persons subject to special treatment under the Republic of Ireland, Jersey and the United States tax laws. Prospective purchasers of ADSs are advised to satisfy themselves as to the overall tax consequences of their ownership of ADSs and the ordinary shares represented thereby by consulting their own tax advisors. In addition, this summary only addresses holders that hold ordinary shares or ADSs as capital assets, and it does not address the taxation of a United States shareholder (either corporate or individual) where that shareholder controls, or is deemed to control, 10% or more of the voting stock of the Company.
The paragraphs set out below summarise the Irish tax treatment for share owners (or holders of ADSs) of holding or disposing of ordinary shares (or ADSs). They are based on current Irish legislation and an understanding of current Republic of Ireland Revenue Commissioners' practice as at the date of this document.
Liability for Irish tax on chargeable (taxable) gains will depend on the individual circumstances of share owners.
Share owners who are not resident or, in the case of individuals, ordinarily resident for tax purposes in the Republic of Ireland will not be liable for Irish tax on chargeable gains realised on a subsequent disposal of their ordinary shares unless in the case of non-corporate shareholders such ordinary shares are used, held or acquired for the purposes of a trade, profession or vocation carried on in the Republic of Ireland through a branch or agency. Such share owners may be subject to foreign taxation on any gain under local law.
A WPP share owner who is an individual and who is temporarily a non-resident of the Republic of Ireland at the time of the disposal may, under anti-avoidance legislation, still be liable to Irish taxation on any chargeable gain realised (subject to the availability of exemptions or reliefs).
Unless a share owner makes, or is deemed to have made, an election to receive dividends from WPP DAS Limited, a company incorporated in the UK, via the Dividend Access Plan, any dividends received will be received from WPP.
Dividends paid by WPP will generally be subject to Irish dividend withholding tax (DWT) at the standard rate of income tax (currently 20%) unless the share owner is within one of the categories of exempt shareholders referred to below. Where DWT applies, WPP will be responsible for withholding DWT at source. For DWT purposes, a dividend includes any distribution made by WPP to share owners, including cash dividends, non-cash dividends and additional shares taken in lieu of a cash dividend.
DWT is not payable where an exemption applies provided that WPP has received all necessary documentation required by the relevant legislation from a WPP Share Owner prior to payment of the dividend.
Certain categories of Irish resident share owners are entitled to an exemption from DWT, including in general (but not limited to) Irish resident companies, qualifying employee share ownership trusts, charities and pension funds. Except in very limited circumstances, distributions by WPP to an Irish-resident share owner who is an individual are not exempt from DWT.
Certain non-Irish resident share owners (both individual and corporate) are also entitled to an exemption from DWT. In particular, a non-Irish resident share owner is not subject to DWT on dividends received from WPP if the WPP Share Owner is:
relevant country are resident in either a member state of the European Union (apart from the Republic of Ireland) or in a country with which the Republic of Ireland has a double tax treaty (including the United States); or
Non-Irish resident share owners are, unless entitled to exemption from DWT, liable to Irish income tax on dividends received from WPP. However, the DWT deducted by WPP discharges such liability to Irish income tax. Where a nonresident share owner is entitled to exemption from DWT, then no Irish income tax arises and, where DWT has been deducted by WPP, a claim may be made for a refund of the DWT.
No Irish stamp duty or capital duty will arise on the issue or transfer for cash of ordinary shares provided such transactions do not relate to Irish stocks or securities of an Irish registered company.
If a share owner makes, or is deemed to have made, an election to receive dividends via the Dividend Access Plan, such share owner will receive dividends directly from WPP DAS Limited (unless there is a shortfall in the Dividend Access Trust, in which case some or all of the dividend will be received from WPP). WPP DAS Limited is not required to withhold at source any amount in respect of UK tax from dividend payments it makes under the Dividend Access Plan regardless of who the recipient of the payment is. The Dividend Access Plan is described further in Item 8.
The following summary of the anticipated tax treatment in Jersey of WPP and share owners and holders of ADSs (other than residents of Jersey) is based on Jersey taxation law as it is understood to
apply at the date of this document. It does not constitute legal or tax advice. Share owners or holders of ADSs should consult their professional advisers on the implications of acquiring, buying, holding, selling or otherwise disposing of ordinary shares or ADSs under the laws of the jurisdictions in which they may be liable to taxation. Share owners or holders of ADSs should be aware that tax rules and practice and their interpretation may change.
WPP will be entitled to pay dividends to holders of ordinary shares without any withholding or deduction for or on account of Jersey tax. Holders of ordinary shares (other than residents of Jersey) will not be subject to any tax in Jersey in respect of the holding, sale or other disposition of such ordinary shares.
Under Jersey law and the WPP Articles, WPP is only permitted to pay a dividend to a person who is recorded in its register of members as the holder of an ordinary share. The US Depositary will be recorded in WPP's register of members as the holder of each ordinary share represented by an ADS. Accordingly, WPP will pay all dividends in respect of each ordinary share represented by an ADS to the US Depositary (as the registered holder of each such ordinary share) rather than to the holder of the ADS.
The US Depositary will not be subject to any tax in Jersey in respect of the holding, sale or other disposition of the ordinary shares held by it. In addition, holders of the ADSs (other than residents of Jersey) should not be subject to any tax in Jersey in respect of the holding, sale or other disposition of such ADSs.
No stamp duty is payable in Jersey on the issue or inter vivos transfer of ordinary shares or ADSs.
Upon the death of a share owner, a grant of probate or letters of administration will be required to transfer the ordinary shares of the deceased person, except that where the deceased person was domiciled outside of Jersey at the time of death, WPP may (at its discretion) dispense with this requirement where the value of the deceased's movable estate in Jersey does not exceed £10,000.
Upon the death of a share owner, Jersey stamp duty will be payable on the registration in Jersey of a grant of probate or letters of administration, which will be required in order to transfer or otherwise deal with:
(a) (where the deceased person was domiciled in Jersey at the time of death) the deceased person's personal estate wherever situated (including any ordinary shares) if the net value of such personal estate exceeds £10,000; or
(b) (where the deceased person was domiciled outside of Jersey at the time of death) the deceased person's personal estate situated in Jersey (including any ordinary shares) if the net value of such personal estate exceeds £10,000.
The rate of stamp duty payable is:
(i) (where the net value of the deceased person's relevant personal estate does not exceed £100,000) 0.50 per cent. of the net value of the deceased person's relevant personal estate; or
(ii) (where the net value of the deceased person's relevant personal estate exceeds £100,000) £500 for the first £100,000 plus 0.75 per cent. of the net value of the deceased person's relevant personal estate which exceeds £100,000.
In addition, application and other fees may be payable.
TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE WITH TREASURY DEPARTMENT CIRCULAR 230, HOLDERS OF WPP SHARES OR WPP ADSs ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED THAT: (A) ANY DISCUSSION OF US FEDERAL TAX ISSUES IS NOT INTENDED OR WRITTEN TO BE RELIED UPON, AND CANNOT BE RELIED UPON, BY HOLDERS OF ORDINARY SHARES OR ADSs FOR THE PURPOSE OF AVOIDING PENALTIES THAT MAY BE IMPOSED ON HOLDERS OF ORDINARY SHARES OR ADSs UNDER THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE OF 1986; AND (B) HOLDERS OF ORDINARY SHARES OR ADSs SHOULD SEEK ADVICE BASED ON THEIR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES FROM AN INDEPENDENT TAX ADVISER.
The following is a summary of certain material US federal income tax consequences of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs by a US Holder (as defined below). The discussion does not cover all aspects of US federal income taxation that may be relevant to, or the actual tax effect that any of the matters described herein will have on, the acquisition, ownership or disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs by particular investors and does not address state, local, foreign or other tax laws. In particular, this summary does not address all of the tax considerations that may be relevant to investors subject to special treatment under the US federal income tax laws (such as financial institutions, insurance companies, investors liable for the alternative minimum tax, investors that own (directly or indirectly) 10% or more of the voting stock of WPP, investors that hold ordinary shares or ADSs through a permanent establishment, individual retirement accounts and other tax-deferred accounts, tax-exempt organisations, dealers in securities or currencies, traders that elect to mark to market, investors that will hold the ordinary shares or ADSs as part of straddles, hedging transactions or conversion transactions for US federal income tax purposes or investors whose functional currency is not the US dollar).
This summary deals only with US Holders (as defined below) who elect or are deemed to elect (because they have not withdrawn their ordinary shares from the ADS programme prior to the dividend record date set by the US Depositary) to participate in the Dividend Access Plan.
As used herein, the term "US Holder" means a beneficial owner of ordinary shares or ADSs that is, for US federal income tax purposes: (i) a citizen or individual resident of the United States; (ii) a corporation, or other entity treated as a corporation for US federal tax purposes, created or organised in or under the laws of the United States or any State thereof; (iii) an estate the income of which is subject to US federal income tax without regard to its source; or (iv) a trust if a court within the United States is able to exercise primary supervision over the administration of the trust and one or more US persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust, or the trust has elected to be treated as a domestic trust for US federal income tax purposes.
This discussion does not address any tax consequences applicable to holders of equity interests in a holder of ordinary shares or ADSs. The US federal income tax treatment of a partner in a partnership that holds ordinary shares or ADSs will depend on the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Holders of ordinary shares or ADSs that are partnerships should consult their tax advisers concerning the US federal income tax consequences to their partners of the acquisition, ownership and disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs.
WPP believes that it is not currently, and it does not expect to become, a passive foreign investment company (a "PFIC") for US federal income tax purposes and this summary assumes the correctness of this position. WPP's possible status as a PFIC must be determined annually and therefore may be subject to change. If WPP were to be a PFIC in any year, materially adverse consequences could result for US Holders.
The summary is based on the US federal income tax laws, including the US Internal Revenue Code of 1986, its legislative history, existing and proposed regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, all as currently in effect, and all of which are subject to change, perhaps with retroactive effect.
The summary of US federal income tax consequences set out below is for general information only. US Holders are urged to consult their own tax advisers as to the particular tax consequences to them of owning the ordinary shares or ADSs, including the applicability and effect of state, local, foreign and other tax laws and possible changes in tax law.
US Holders of ADSs should be treated for US federal income tax purposes as owners of the ordinary shares represented by the ADSs. Accordingly, the US federal income tax consequences discussed below apply equally to US Holders of ADSs.
Distributions paid by WPP or WPP DAS Limited out of current or accumulated earnings and profits (as determined for US federal income tax purposes) will generally be taxable to a US Holder as foreign source dividend income, and will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction generally allowed to US corporations.
A US Holder of ADSs generally will include dividends in gross income in the taxable year in which such holder actually receives the dividend. US Holders that surrender their ADSs in exchange for the underlying ordinary shares should consult their tax advisers regarding the proper timing for including dividends in gross income.
Distributions in excess of current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated as a non-taxable return of capital to the extent of the US Holder's basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs and thereafter as capital gains. However, WPP does not maintain calculations of its earnings and profits in accordance with US federal income tax accounting principles. US Holders should, therefore, assume that any distribution with respect to the ordinary shares or ADSs will constitute ordinary dividend income. US Holders should consult their tax advisers with respect to the appropriate US federal income tax treatment of any distribution received from WPP or WPP DAS Limited.
For taxable years that begin before 2013, dividends paid by WPP or WPP DAS Limited will be taxable to a noncorporate US Holder as "qualified dividend income" at the special reduced rate normally applicable to capital gains, provided WPP qualifies for the benefits of the income tax treaty between the United States and the Republic of Ireland (the "Treaty"), which WPP believes to be the case. However, there can be no assurance that WPP will qualify for the benefits of the Treaty going forward. A US Holder will be eligible for this reduced rate only if it has held the ordinary shares or ADSs for more than 60 days during the 121-day period beginning 60 days before the ex-dividend date.
Dividends paid in pounds sterling will be included in income in a US dollar amount calculated by reference to the exchange rate in effect on the day the dividends are received by the US Holder in the
case of ordinary shares or the US Depositary (in case of ADSs), regardless of whether the pounds sterling are converted into US dollars at that time. If dividends received in pounds sterling are converted into US dollars on the day they are received, the US Holder generally will not be required to recognise a foreign currency gain or loss in respect of the dividend income. Generally, a gain or loss realised on a subsequent conversion of pounds sterling to US dollars or other disposition will be treated as US source ordinary income or loss.
Upon a sale or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs (other than an exchange of ADSs for ordinary shares), a US Holder generally will recognise a capital gain or loss equal to the difference, if any, between the amount realised on the sale or other disposition and the US Holder's adjusted tax basis in the ordinary shares or ADSs. This capital gain or loss will generally be US source and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the US Holder's holding period in the ordinary shares or ADSs exceeds one year. However, regardless of a US Holder's actual holding period, any loss may be a long-term capital loss to the extent the US Holder receives a dividend that qualifies for the reduced rate described above under the section entitled "Tax on Dividends", above, and exceeds 10% of the US Holder's tax basis in its ordinary shares or ADSs. Deductibility of capital losses is subject to limitations.
A US Holder's tax basis in an ordinary share or an ADS will generally be its US dollar cost. The US dollar cost of an ordinary share or an ADS purchased with foreign currency will generally be the US dollar value of the purchase price on the date of purchase or, in the case of ordinary shares or ADSs traded on an established securities market, as defined in the applicable Treasury Regulations, that are purchased by a cash basis US Holder (or an accrual basis US Holder that so elects), on the settlement date for the purchase. Such an election by an accrual basis US Holder must be applied consistently from year to year and cannot be revoked without the consent of the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS").
The surrender of ADSs in exchange for ordinary shares (or vice versa) should not be a taxable event for US federal income tax purposes and US Holders should not recognise any gain or loss upon such a surrender. A US Holder's tax basis in the withdrawn ordinary shares will be the same as the US Holder's tax basis in the ADSs surrendered, and the holding period of the ordinary shares will include the holding period of the ADSs.
The amount realised on a sale or other disposition of ordinary shares or ADSs for an amount in foreign currency will be the US dollar value of this amount on the date of sale or disposition. On the settlement date, the US Holder will recognise US source foreign currency gain or loss (taxable as ordinary income or loss) equal to the difference (if any) between the US dollar value of the amount received based on the exchange rates in effect on the date of sale or other disposition and the settlement date. However, in the case of ordinary shares or ADSs traded on an established securities market that are sold by a cash basis US Holder (or an accrual basis US Holder that so elects), the amount realised will be determined using the exchange rate in effect on the settlement date for the sale, and no exchange gain or loss will be recognised at that time.
Foreign currency received on the sale or other disposition of an ordinary share or an ADS will have a tax basis equal to its US dollar value on the settlement date. Any gain or loss recognised on a sale or other disposition of a foreign currency (including upon exchange for US dollars) will be US source ordinary income or loss.
Payments of dividends and other proceeds with respect to ordinary shares or ADSs by a US paying agent or other US intermediary will be reported to the IRS and to the US Holder unless the
holder is a corporation or otherwise establishes a basis for exemption. Backup withholding may apply to reportable payments if the US Holder fails to provide an accurate taxpayer identification number or certification of exempt status or fails to report all interest and dividends required to be shown on its US federal income tax returns. Any backup withholding tax will be refunded or allowed as a credit against the US Holder's US federal income tax liability if the US Holder timely gives the appropriate information to the IRS. US Holders should consult their tax advisers as to their qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for obtaining an exemption.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. In accordance with these requirements, the Company files reports and other information with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission. You may read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the Public Reference Room at 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains a web site at http://www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding registrants that file electronically with the SEC.
Not applicable.
The Company's principal market risks are changes in interest rates and currency exchange rates. Following evaluation of these positions, the Company selectively enters into derivative financial instruments to manage its risk exposure. The fair value of derivatives held by the Company at 31 December 2010 is estimated to be a net asset of £66.1 million (£129.0 million net asset with respect to interest rate swaps and £62.9 million net liability for currency derivatives). These amounts are based on market values of equivalent instruments at the balance sheet date.
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on both interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Group has a policy of actively managing its interest rate risk exposure while recognising that fixing rates on all its debt eliminates the possibility of benefiting from rate reductions and similarly, having all its debt at floating rates unduly exposes the Group to increases in rates.
The Group's principal borrowing currencies are US dollars, pounds sterling and euros. Borrowings in these currencies represented 96.0% of the Group's gross indebtedness at 31 December 2010 (at \$1,640 million, £1,350 million and €1,274 million) and 96.8% of the Group's average gross debt during the course of 2010 (at \$2,003 million, £1,653 million and €1,274 million). Including the effect of interest rate and cross-currency swaps, 82.5% of the year-end US dollar net debt is at fixed rates averaging 6.54% for an average period of 44 months; 73.3% of the sterling net debt is at a fixed rate of 6.07% for an average period of 83 months; and 66.7% of the euro net debt is at fixed rates averaging 6.50% for an average period of 63 months.
Other than fixed rate debt, the Group's other fixed rates are achieved principally through interest rate swaps with the Group's bankers. The Group also uses forward rate agreements and interest rate caps to manage exposure to interest rate changes. At 31 December 2010 no forward rate agreements or interest rate caps were in place. These interest rate derivatives are used only to hedge exposures to interest rate movements arising from the Group's borrowings and surplus cash balances arising from its commercial activities and are not traded independently. Payments made under these instruments are accounted for on an accruals basis.
The following tables set forth the Company's fixed and floating rate debt by currency, including the effect of interest rate and cross-currency swaps, as of 31 December 2010:
| Currency | £m | Fixed 1 rate |
Floating basis |
Period (months) 1 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ -fixed | 1,338.0 | 6.54% | n/a | 44 |
| -floating | 283.0 | n/a | LIBOR | n/a |
| £ -fixed | 550.0 | 6.07% | n/a | 83 |
| -floating | 200.0 | n/a | LIBOR | n/a |
| € -fixed | 728.7 | 6.50% | n/a | 63 |
| -floating | 363.1 | n/a | EURIBOR | n/a |
| ¥ -fixed | 71.1 | 2.07% | n/a | 36 |
| \$C -floating 2 |
81.1 | n/a | LIBOR | n/a |
| Other | (16.8) | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 3,598.2 |
Weighted average. These rates do not include the effect of gains on interest rate swap terminations that are written to income over the life of the original instrument. At 31 December 2010 the amount still to be written to income was £1.7 million (2009: £2.2 million) in respect of US dollar swap terminations, to be written to income evenly until June 2014. 1
Represents Canadian dollars. 2
The significant terms of the interest rate swap agreements in place as of 31 December 2010:
| € | \$ | £ | € | \$ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notional principal amount | €1,100m | \$300m | £200m | €100m | \$45m |
| 6m Euribor | Fixed | 6m Libor | Fixed | 3m Libor | |
| Average rate payable | + 0.6641 % |
2.5801 % |
+ 0.6425 % |
5.5625 % |
+0.5947 % |
| 3m | |||||
| Fixed | 3m Libor | Fixed | Euribor | Fixed | |
| Average rate receivable | 4.7727 % |
+0.2890 % |
6.00 % |
+ 0.955 % |
6.29 % |
| 50 | 120 | 76 | 42 | 43 | |
| Average term | months | months | months | months | months |
| Latest maturity date | Jan-15 | Oct - 20 | Apr-17 | Jun-14 | Jul-14 |
The Group's results in pounds sterling are subject to fluctuation as a result of exchange rate movements. The Group does not hedge this translation exposure to its earnings but does hedge the currency element of its net assets using foreign currency borrowings, cross-currency swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts.
The Group effects these currency net asset hedges by borrowing in the same currencies as the operating (or "functional") currencies of its main operating units. The majority of the Group's debt is therefore denominated in US dollars, pounds sterling and euros.
The Group utilises currency derivatives to hedge significant future transactions and cash flows and the exchange risk arising on translation of the Group's investments in foreign operations. The Group is a party to a variety of foreign currency derivatives in the management of its exchange rate exposures. The instruments purchased are primarily denominated in the currencies of the Group's principal markets.
Significant forward foreign exchange contracts held by the Group at 31 December 2010 are contracts of €88.1 million, R176.0 million and NZ\$27.2 million. The forward exchange rates to sterling that the Group is fixed into are €1.1799, R11.088 and NZ\$2.0762. The contracts all mature in 2011.
These arrangements are designed to address significant exchange exposures and are renewed on a revolving basis as required.
The following table sets forth details on the cross currency swaps as of 31 December 2010 by currency:
| €/\$ | ¥/€ | \$/€ | \$/€ | \$/€ | \$/€ | \$/€ | \$/€ | \$/€ | \$/£ | \$/£ | \$/£ | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Currency | ||||||||||||
| Payable€228.0m | ¥9,000m | \$115.0m | \$110.0m | \$110.0m | \$180.4m | \$180.3m | \$180.3m | \$180.8m | \$110.8m | \$110.8m | \$111.0m | |
| Currency | ||||||||||||
| Receivable \$278.3m | €56.6m | €85.6m | €81.9m | €81.9m | €124.5m | € 124.5m | € 124.5m | € 124.8m | £75.0m | £75.0m | £75.0m | |
| Currency | 3m | 6m | 3m | 3m | 3m | 6m | ||||||
| Rate Payable |
Euribor | Fixed | Libor | Libor | Libor | Fixed | Fixed | Libor | Libor | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed |
| +0.955 % |
2.0675 % |
+ 0.559 % |
+ 0.549 % |
+ 0.562 % |
5.615 % |
5.60 % |
+0.8575 % |
+0.845 % |
5.92 % |
5.92 % |
5.825% | |
| Currency Rate | 6m | 6m | 6m | 6m | 6m | |||||||
| Receivable Fixed | Euribor | 6m Euribor |
6m Euribor |
6m Euribor |
Euribor | Euribor | Euribor | Euribor | Fixed | Fixed | Fixed | |
| 5.8750 % |
+ 0.555 % |
+ 0.555 % |
+ 0.555 % |
+ 0.555 % |
+0.795 % |
+0.795 % |
+0.795 % |
+0.795 % |
5.75 % |
5.75 % |
5.75% |
The Group's principal financial assets are cash and short-term deposits, trade and other receivables and investments, the carrying value of which represents the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets.
The Group's credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The majority of the Group's trade receivables are due from large national or multinational companies where the risk of default is considered low. The amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables, estimated by the Group's management based on prior experience and their assessment of the current economic environment. A relatively small number of clients make up a significant percentage of the Group's debtors, but no single client represents more than 5% of total trade receivables as at 31 December 2010.
The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by international credit-rating agencies or banks that have been financed by their government.
A relatively small number of clients contribute a significant percentage of the Group's consolidated revenues. The Group's clients generally are able to reduce advertising and marketing spending or cancel projects at any time for any reason. There can be no assurance that any of the Group's clients will continue to utilise the Group's services to the same extent, or at all, in the future. A significant reduction in advertising and marketing spending by, or the loss of one or more of, the Group's largest clients, if not replaced by new client accounts or an increase in business from existing clients, would adversely affect the Group's prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.
The fair value of our \$1,250 million bonds, €1,850 million Eurobonds, £1,050 million bonds at 31 December 2010 was £4,034.1 million. The Group considers that the carrying amount of bank loans approximates the fair value. The fair value is calculated by reference to market prices at 31 December 2010. Considerable judgement is required in interpreting market data to develop the estimates of fair value, and, accordingly, the estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realised in a current market exchange. For additional information in respect of these instruments see Item 5B and note 10 to the consolidated financial statements.
Cash, accounts receivable, accounts payable, overdrafts and short-term borrowings (including those drawn under the Revolving Credit Facilities) are considered to approximate fair value because of the short maturity of such instruments.
Additional Information on the Company's risk management policies and financial instruments is disclosed in notes 24 and 25 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
Holders of ADSs and persons depositing ordinary shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation are currently required to pay the following service fees to the Depositary:
for transfer.
Holders of ADSs and persons depositing ordinary shares or surrendering ADSs for cancellation and for the purpose of withdrawing deposited securities are also responsible for the payment of certain fees and expenses incurred by the Depositary, and certain taxes and governmental charges, such as:
WPP has agreed to pay various other charges and expenses of the Depositary. Please note that the fees and charges that holders of ADSs may be required to pay may vary over time and may be changed by WPP and by the Depositary. Holders of ADSs will receive prior notice of such changes.
WPP did not receive any payments from Citibank, N.A., the Depositary for its American Depositary Receipt program, in 2010.
None.
We performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Group Chief Executive and our Group Finance Director, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of 31 December 2010. Notwithstanding the foregoing, a control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in the Company's periodic reports. Following the evaluation described above, our management, including the Group Chief Executive and Group Finance Director, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at that time.
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act). Our management, with the participation of our Group Chief Executive and our Group Finance Director, carried out an assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting (including those applicable to WPP DAS Ltd) at 31 December 2010. The assessment was performed using the criteria for effective internal control reflected in the Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
Based on our assessment of the system of internal control, management believes that as of 31 December 2010 our internal control over financial reporting (including those applicable to WPP DAS Ltd) was effective.
The Company's internal control over financial reporting, (including those applicable to WPP DAS Ltd) at 31 December 2010, has been audited by Deloitte LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, who also audited the Company's consolidated financial statements. Their audit report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting is presented on page 91.
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of WPP plc and subsidiaries (the "Company") as at 31 December 2010, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company's management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting, including those controls applicable to the WPP DAS Ltd. ("the Trust") based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company's internal control over financial reporting is a process designed by, or under the supervision of, the company's principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company's board of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company's internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorised acquisition, use, or disposition of the company's assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of the inherent limitations of internal control over financial reporting, including the possibility of collusion or improper management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting, including those applicable to the Trust, as at 31 December 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control— Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2010 of the Company and financial statements as at and for the year ended 31 December 2010 of the Trust and our reports dated 29 April 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
/s/ Deloitte LLP
Deloitte LLP London, United Kingdom 29 April 2011
There has been no change in the Company's internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during 2010, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
The audit committee consisted of Paul Spencer, Jeffrey Rosen, Colin Day and Sol Trujillo at 31 December 2010. The board of directors has determined that all members of the audit committee are "independent" as that term is defined in the applicable NASDAQ listing standards and rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
WPP does have an audit committee financial expert, Paul Spencer, serving as Chairman of its audit committee. See the biography of Paul Spencer in Item 6A.
WPP has in place a Code of Business Conduct that constitutes a "code of ethics" as defined in applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Code of Business Conduct (which is regularly reviewed by the Audit Committee and the Board) and was updated in 2010, sets out the principal obligations of all employees. Directors and senior executives throughout the Group are required each year to sign this Code. A copy of the WPP Code of Business Conduct may be obtained free of charge by contacting the Company's investor relations department in London or New York at the following addresses or telephone numbers:
London:
Deputy Group finance director WPP 27 Farm Street London W1J 5RL England Tel: +44 (0)20 7408 2204 Fax: +44 (0)20 7493 6819
New York:
Investor Relations WPP 100 Park Avenue New York, New York 10017-5516 Tel: (212) 632-2200 Fax: (212) 632-2222
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | |
| Audit fees | 19.0 | 19.4 |
| Audit-related fees 1 |
0.3 | 0.3 |
| Tax fees 2 |
3.9 | 4.1 |
| All other fees 3 |
5.3 | 5.0 |
| 28.5 | 28.8 |
Audit related fees include review of the interim financial statements and Form 20-F. 1
Tax fees comprise tax advisory, planning and compliance services. 2
Other fees comprise assurance services, including fees for due diligence, transition support fees and review of earn-out payment calculations. 3
The Audit Committee has adopted a pre-approval policy for the engagement of the external auditors in relation to the supply of permissible non-audit services (including taxation), taking into account relevant ethical and regulatory requirements. WPP's policy regarding non-audit services that may be provided by the Group's auditors, Deloitte LLP, prohibits certain categories of work in line with relevant guidance on independence, such as ethical standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board and independence rules of the SEC. Other categories of work may be undertaken by Deloitte LLP subject to an approvals process that is designed appropriately for different categories and values of proposed work.
Not applicable.
At the Annual General Meeting of WPP plc on 2 June 2009 a special resolution was passed authorising WPP plc to make market purchases of its own shares up to a maximum number of 125,294,634 ordinary shares. This authority expired at the Annual General Meeting of WPP plc on 29 June 2010 and was replaced by a new authority to purchase up to a maximum number of 125,496,212 ordinary shares until the earlier of the conclusion of the Annual General Meeting of WPP plc in 2011 and 1 September 2011.
| Total number of shares purchased |
Average price | Total number of shares purchased as part of publicly announced plan |
Maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under plan |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 125,294,634 | ||||
| February | 125,294,634 | ||||
| March | 4,460,915 | £ | 6.42 | 4,460,915 | 120,833,719 |
| April | 120,833,719 | ||||
| May | 120,833,719 | ||||
| June | 125,496,212 | ||||
| July | 125,496,212 | ||||
| August | 125,496,212 | ||||
| September | 125,496,212 | ||||
| October | 2,297,811 | £ | 7.31 | 2,297,811 | 123,198,401 |
| November | 14,067 | £ | 7.35 | 14,067 | 123,184,334 |
| December | 122,897 | £ | 7.11 | 122,897 | 123,061,437 |
| Total | 6,895,690 | £ | 6.73 | 6,895,690 |
Not applicable.
The Company's ADSs are listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market. In general, under NASDAQ's Rule 5615, foreign private issuers such as WPP listed on NASDAQ are permitted to follow home country corporate governance practices instead of certain provisions of NASDAQ's Rule 5600 Series, which pertain to corporate governance by listed issuers. A foreign private issuer that elects to follow a home country practice instead of any such provisions of the Rule 5600 Series must submit in advance to NASDAQ a written statement from an independent counsel in such issuer's home country certifying that the issuer's practices are not prohibited by the home country's laws. The Company's independent Jersey counsel has certified to NASDAQ that the Company's corporate governance practices are not prohibited by the laws of Jersey.
The requirements of the Rule 5600 Series and the corporate governance practices that the Company follows in lieu thereof are described below:
Not applicable.
333-158262)).
The Consolidated Financial Statements of WPP plc at 31 December 2010, 2009 and 2008 are included in this report beginning on page F-1.
| Exhibit No. | Exhibit Title |
|---|---|
| 1.1 | Memorandum and Articles of Association of WPP plc (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1 of the Registrant's Report on Form 6-K filed on 9 December 2008). |
| 2.1 | Deposit Agreement dated as of 19 November 2008 among WPP plc, Citibank, N.A. as Depositary, |
| and all holders and beneficial owners from time to time of American Depositary Receipts issued | |
| thereunder (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 99(A) to the Registrant's Registration | |
| Statement on Form F-6EF filed on 18 November 2008). | |
| 2.2 | Indenture, dated as of 23 June 2004, among WPP Finance (UK), as Issuer, WPP Group plc, as |
| Guarantor, and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.14 to the | |
| Registration Statement on Form F-4 filed by the Registrant on 21 September 2004 (File No. 333- | |
| 119163)). | |
| 2.3 | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 23 June 2004, among WPP Finance (UK), as Issuer, WPP |
| Group plc, as Guarantor, and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee, pertaining to the issuance of U.S. | |
| \$650,000,000 5.875% Notes due 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.15 to the | |
| Registration Statement on Form F-4 filed by the Registrant on 21 September 2004 (File No. 333- | |
| 119163)). | |
| 2.4 | Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 27 June 2006, among WPP Finance (UK), as Issuer, |
| WPP 2005 Limited and WPP Group plc, as Guarantors, and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee, pertaining to | |
| the issuance of U.S. \$650,000,000 5.875% Notes due 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to | |
| Exhibit 2.11 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2005). | |
| 2.5 | Form of 5.875% Notes Due 2014 (included as part of Exhibit 2.2). |
| 2.6 | Form of Guarantee of 5.875% Notes due 2014 (included as part of Exhibit 2.2). |
| 2.7 | Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 19 December 2006, among WPP Finance (UK), as Issuer, |
| WPP 2005 Limited, WPP Group plc and WPP Spangle, as Guarantors, and Wilmington Trust | |
| Company, as Trustee, pertaining to the issuance of U.S. \$650,000,000 5.875% Notes due 2014 | |
| (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form F | |
| 3 filed by the Registrant on 27 March 2009 (File No. 333-158262)). | |
| 2.8 | Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 7 October 2008, among WPP Finance (UK), as Issuer, |
| WPP Air 1 Limited and WPP Air 3 Limited, in their capacities as partners of WPP Air UK, Young & | |
| Rubicam Brands US Holdings (formerly known as WPP Spangle), WPP 2005 Limited and WPP Group | |
| plc, as Guarantors, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, pertaining to the issuance of U.S. | |
| \$650,000,000 5.875% Notes due 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.5 to the | |
| Registrant's Registration Statement on Form F-3 filed by the Registrant on 27 March 2009 (File No. |
| Exhibit No. | Exhibit Title |
|---|---|
| 2.9 | Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 30 April 2009, among WPP Finance (UK), as Issuer, WPP Air 1 Limited and WPP Air 3 Limited, in their capacities as partners of WPP Air UK, Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings, WPP 2005 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited (formerly known as WPP Group plc) and WPP plc, as Guarantors, and Wilmington Trust Company, as Trustee, pertaining to the issuance of U.S. \$650,000,000 5.875% Notes due 2014 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.9 to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 2.10 | Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to €600 million of 4.375% Bonds due 5 December 2013 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.19 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December 2006). |
| 2.11 | Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, indenture instruments relating to £400 million of 6% Bonds due 4 April 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.20 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F filed for the year ended 31 December 2006). |
| 2.12 | Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to €500 million of 5.25% bonds due 2015 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.21 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2007). |
| 2.13 | Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to £200 million of 6.375% bonds due 2020 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.22 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2007). |
| 2.14 | Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to €750 million of 6.25% Guaranteed Bonds due 2016 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.23 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2007). |
| 2.15 | Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to a U.S. \$1,600,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated 23 August 2005 and Amended and Restated on 17 November 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.15 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 2.16 | Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to a £600,000,000 Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated 9 July 2008 and Amended and Restated on 17 November 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.16 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 2.17 | Agreement of Registrant to file, if requested by the Securities and Exchange Commission, instruments relating to a £650,000,000 Term Facility Agreement dated 9 July 2008 and Amended and Restated on 17 November 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.17 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 2.18 | Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of 7 October 2008, among WPP plc, WPP Air 1 Limited and WPP Air 3 Limited, in their capacities as partners of WPP Air UK, WPP Group plc, WPP 2005 Limited, Grey Global Group Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, as Trustee, pertaining to Grey's 5% Contingent Convertible Subordinated Debentures due 2033 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2.18 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| Exhibit No. | Exhibit Title |
|---|---|
| 4.12 | Ogilvy & Mather Deferred Compensation Plan Summary Plan Description (incorporated herein by |
| reference to Exhibit 4.15 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 | |
| December 2008). | |
| 4.13 | Grey Advertising Inc. amended and restated 1994 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by |
| reference to Exhibit 10.02 to Grey Global Group Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter | |
| ended 30 September 1996 (File No. 000-07898)). | |
| 4.14 | WPP Executive Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.18 of the Registrant's |
| Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). | |
| 4.15 | WPP plc Performance Share Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.19 of the Registrant's |
| Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). | |
| 4.16 | WPP plc Restricted Stock Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.20 of the Registrant's |
| Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). | |
| 4.17 | WPP 2005 Executive Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.21 of the |
| Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). | |
| 4.18 | WPP Annual Bonus Deferral Programme (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.22 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 4.19 | 2004-2006 Long Term Incentive Plan Participant Guide (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit |
| 4.41 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2005). | |
| 4.20 | GroupM Executive Savings Plan Summary Plan Description (incorporated herein by reference to |
| Exhibit 4.24 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). | |
| 4.21 | WPP 2008 Executive Stock Option Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.27 of the |
| Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). | |
| 4.22 | UK Service Agreement, effective from 19 November 2008, between WPP 2005 Limited, Sir Martin |
| Sorrell and WPP plc (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.28 of the Registrant's Annual | |
| Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). | |
| 4.23 | Service Agreement in the USA, effective 26 November 2010, between WPP Group USA, Inc. and Sir |
| Martin Sorrell.* | |
| 4.24 | Service Agreement in the USA, dated 30 April 2009, between WPP Group USA, Inc. and Paul W.G. |
| Richardson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.30 of the Registrant's Annual Report on | |
| Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). | |
| 4.25 | Director's appointment agreement, dated 21 November 2008, between WPP plc and Paul Richardson |
| (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.31 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for | |
| the year ended 31 December 2008). | |
| 4.26 | Service Agreement, dated 12 February 2009, between WPP 2005 Limited and Mark Read |
| (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.32 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for | |
| the year ended 31 December 2008). | |
| 4.27 | Director's appointment agreement, dated 21 November 2008, between WPP plc and Mark Read |
| (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.33 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for | |
| the year ended 31 December 2008). | |
| 4.28 | Supplemental Retirement Agreement, dated as of 1 July 2008, by and between WPP Group USA, Inc. |
| and Paul Richardson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.34 of the Registrant's Annual | |
| Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| Exhibit No. | Exhibit Title |
|---|---|
| 4.29 | Amendment dated 19 November 2008 to Supplemental Retirement Agreement, dated as of 1 July 2008, by and between WPP Group USA, Inc. and Paul Richardson (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.35 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 4.30 | Stock Purchase Agreement, dated 3 August 1998, among Asatsu Inc., WPP International Holding B.V. and WPP Group plc (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.36 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 4.31 | 24/7 Media, Inc. 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-1 of 24/7 Media, Inc. filed on June 4, 2009, File No. 333-56085). |
| 4.32 | 24/7 Real Media, Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to a proxy statement filed by 24/7 Real Media, Inc. on August 9, 2002, File No. 000-29768). |
| 4.33 | Amendment No. 2 to the Grey Global Group Inc. 2003 Senior Management Incentive Plan, effective as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.39 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008) |
| 4.34 | Grey Advertising Inc. Senior Executive Officer Post-Employment Compensation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.40 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 4.35 | Amendment No. 1 to the Grey Advertising Inc. Senior Executive Officer Post-Employment Compensation Plan, effective as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.41 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 4.36 | Amendment No. 1 to the J. Walter Thompson Retained Benefit Supplemental Employee Retirement Plan, effective as of January 1, 2009 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.42 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 4.37 | Taylor Nelson Sofres 2001 Equity Participation Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.43 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 4.38 | Taylor Nelson Sofres plc 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.44 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 4.39 | Taylor Nelson Sofres New Share Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.45 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2008). |
| 4.40 | Leadership Equity Acquisition Plan III (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.42 of the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2009). |
| 8.1 | List of subsidiaries.* |
| 12.1 | Certification of Group Chief Executive.* |
| 12.2 | Certification of Group Finance Director.* |
| 13.1 | Certification of Group Chief Executive under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.* |
| 13.2 | Certification of Group Finance Director under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.* |
| 14.1 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.* |
* Filed herewith.
The Registrant hereby certifies that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form 20-F and that it has duly caused and authorized the undersigned to sign this annual report on its behalf.
By: /s/ PAUL W G RICHARDSON Paul W G Richardson Group Finance Director
29 April 2011
Financial Statement Number
| A. | Financial Statements of WPP plc as of and for the years ended 31 December 2010, 2009 and 2008 | |
|---|---|---|
| (i) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-1 | |
| (ii) Accounting policies | F-2 | |
| (iii) Consolidated income statement for the years ended 31 December 2010, 2009 and 2008 | F-9 | |
| (iv) Consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the years ended 31 December 2010, 2009 and 2008 |
F-10 | |
| (v) Consolidated cash flow statement for the years ended 31 December 2010, 2009 and 2008 | F-11 | |
| (vi) Consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2010 and 2009 | F-12 | |
| (vii) Consolidated statement of changes in equity for the years ended 31 December 2010, 2009 and 2008 |
F-13 | |
| (viii) Notes to the consolidated financial statements | F-15 | |
| B. | Financial Statements of WPP DAS Ltd as of and for the years ended 31 December 2010, 2009 and the period from 9 July 2008 through 31 December 2008 |
|
| (i) Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm | F-48 | |
| (ii) Cash flow statement for the years ended 31 December 2010, 2009 and the period from 9 July 2008 through 31 December 2008 |
F-49 | |
| (iii) Balance sheet at 31 December 2010 and 2009 | F-49 | |
| (iv) Statement of changes in equity for the years ended 31 December 2010, 2009 and the period from 9 July 2008 to 31 December 2008 |
F-49 | |
| (v) Notes to the financial statements | F-50 |
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of WPP plc and subsidiaries (the "Company") at 31 December 2010 and 2009, and the related consolidated income statements, consolidated statements of comprehensive income, consolidated cash flow statements, and consolidated statement of changes in equity for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2010. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as at 31 December 2010 and 2009, and the results of its operations and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended 31 December 2010, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as at 31 December 2010, based on the criteria established in Internal Control— Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated 29 April 2011 expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
/s/ Deloitte LLP Deloitte LLP London, United Kingdom 29 April 2011
The consolidated financial statements of WPP plc and its subsidiaries (the Group) for the year ended 31 December 2010 have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board as they apply to the financial statements of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2010.
The consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention, except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments. The principal accounting policies are set out below.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 29 April 2011.
The consolidated financial statements include the results of the Company and all its subsidiary undertakings made up to the same accounting date. All intra-Group balances, transactions, income and expenses are eliminated in full on consolidation. The results of subsidiary undertakings acquired or disposed of during the period are included or excluded from the consolidated income statement from the effective date of acquisition or disposal.
Intangible assets comprise goodwill, certain acquired separable corporate brand names, acquired customer relationships, acquired proprietary tools and capitalised computer software not integral to a related item of hardware.
Goodwill represents the excess of fair value attributed to investments in businesses or subsidiary undertakings over the fair value of the underlying net assets, including intangible assets, at the date of their acquisition.
Goodwill impairment reviews are undertaken annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate a potential impairment. The carrying value of goodwill is compared to the net present value of future cash flows derived from the underlying assets using a projection period of up to five years for each cash-generating unit. After the projection period a steady growth rate representing an appropriate long-term growth rate for the industry is applied. Any impairment is recognised immediately as an expense and is not subsequently reversed.
Corporate brand names, customer relationships and proprietary tools acquired as part of acquisitions of businesses are capitalised separately from goodwill as intangible assets if their value can be measured reliably on initial recognition and it is probable that the expected future economic benefits that are attributable to the asset will flow to the Group.
Certain corporate brands of the Group are considered to have an indefinite economic life because of the institutional nature of the corporate brand names, their proven ability to maintain market leadership and profitable operations over long periods of time and the Group's commitment to develop and enhance their value. The carrying value of these intangible assets is reviewed at least annually for impairment and adjusted to the recoverable amount if required.
Amortisation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life as follows:
Contingent consideration is accounted for in accordance with IFRS 3 (revised) Business Combinations.
Future anticipated payments to vendors in respect of contingent consideration (earnout agreements) are initially recorded at fair value which is the present value of the expected cash outflows of the obligations. The obligations are dependent on the future financial performance of the interests acquired (typically over a four to five year period following the year of acquisition) and assume the operating companies improve profits in line with directors' estimates. The directors derive their estimates from internal business plans together with financial due diligence performed in connection with the acquisition.
Subsequent adjustments to the fair value are recorded in the consolidated income statement within revaluation of financial instruments. For acquisitions completed prior to 1 January 2010, such adjustments are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet within goodwill.
Property, plant and equipment are shown at cost less accumulated depreciation and any provision for impairment with the exception of freehold land which is not depreciated. The Group assesses the carrying value of its property, plant and equipment to determine if any impairment has occurred. Where this indicates that an asset may be impaired, the Group applies the requirements of IAS 36 Impairment of Assets in assessing the carrying amount of the asset. This process includes comparing its recoverable amount with its carrying value. Depreciation is provided at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset on a straight-line basis over its estimated useful life, as follows:
The Group's share of the profits less losses of associate undertakings net of tax, interest and non-controlling interests is included in the consolidated income statement and the Group's share of net assets is shown within interests in associates in the consolidated balance sheet. The Group's share of the profits less losses and net assets is based on current information produced by the undertakings, adjusted to conform with the accounting policies of the Group.
The Group assesses the carrying value of its associate undertakings to determine if any impairment has occurred. Where this indicates that an investment may be impaired, the Group applies the requirements of IAS 36 in assessing the carrying amount of the investment. This process includes comparing its recoverable amount with its carrying value.
The Group accounts for joint venture investments under the equity method which is consistent with the Group's treatment of associates.
Other investments are designated as 'available for sale' and are shown at fair value with any movements in fair value taken to equity.
On disposal the cumulative gain or loss previously recognised in equity is included in the profit or loss for the year. Impairment losses recognised in profit or loss for equity investments classified as 'available for sale' are not subsequently reversed through profit or loss.
Work in progress is valued at cost, which includes outlays incurred on behalf of clients and an appropriate proportion of directly attributable costs and overheads on incomplete assignments. Provision is made for irrecoverable costs where appropriate. Inventory is stated at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Trade receivables are stated net of provisions for bad and doubtful debts.
The Group's policy on interest rate and foreign exchange rate management sets out the instruments and methods available to hedge interest and currency risk exposures and the control procedures in place to ensure effectiveness.
The Group uses derivative financial instruments to reduce exposure to foreign exchange risk and interest rate movements. The Group does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes.
Derivatives are initially recognised at fair value at the date a derivative contract is entered into and are subsequently remeasured to their fair value at each balance sheet date. The resulting gain or loss is recognised in profit or loss immediately unless the derivative is designated and effective as a hedging instrument, in which event the timing of the recognition in profit or loss depends on the nature of the hedge relationship.
At the inception of the hedge relationship the entity documents the relationship between the hedging instrument and hedged item, along with its
risk management objectives and its strategy for undertaking various hedge transactions. Furthermore, at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, the Group documents whether the hedging instrument that is used in a hedging relationship is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item.
Note 25 contains details of the fair values of the derivative instruments used for hedging purposes.
Changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges are recorded in profit or loss immediately, together with any changes in the fair value of the hedged item that is attributable to the hedged risk.
The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives that are designated and qualify as cash flow or net investment hedges is deferred in equity. The gain or loss relating to the ineffective portion is recognised immediately in profit or loss. Amounts deferred in equity are recycled in profit or loss in the periods when the hedged item is recognised in profit or loss. However, when the forecast transaction that is hedged results in the recognition of a non-financial asset or a non-financial liability, the gains and losses previously deferred in equity are transferred from equity and included in the initial measurement of the cost of the asset or liability.
Hedge accounting is discontinued when the hedging instrument expires or is sold, terminated, or exercised, or no longer qualifies for hedge accounting. At that time, any cumulative gain or loss on the hedging instrument recognised in equity is retained in equity until the forecast transaction occurs. If a hedged transaction is no longer expected to occur, the net cumulative gain or loss recognised in equity is transferred to net profit or loss for the period.
Derivatives embedded in other financial instruments or other host contracts are treated as separate derivatives when their risks and characteristics are not closely related to those of host contracts and the host contracts are not carried at fair value with unrealised gains or losses reported in the consolidated income statement.
Option agreements that allow the Group's equity partners to require the Group to purchase a non-controlling interest are treated as derivatives over equity instruments and are recorded in the consolidated balance sheet at fair value and the valuation is remeasured at each period end. Fair value is based on the present value of expected cash outflows and the movement in the fair value is recognised as income or expense within revaluation of financial instruments in the consolidated income statement.
In accordance with IAS 39 Financial Instruments: Recognition and Measurement, a financial liability of the Group is only released to the consolidated income statement when the underlying legal obligation is extinguished.
Convertible debt is assessed according to the substance of the contractual arrangements and is classified into liability and equity elements on the basis of the initial fair value of the liability element. The difference between this figure and the cash received is classified as equity.
The consolidated income statement charge for the finance cost is spread evenly over the term of the convertible debt so that at redemption the liability equals the redemption value.
Other interest-bearing bank loans and overdrafts are recorded at the proceeds received, net of direct issue costs.
Finance costs of borrowing are recognised in the consolidated income statement over the term of those borrowings.
Revenue comprises commission and fees earned in respect of amounts billed. Direct costs include fees paid to external suppliers where they are retained to perform part or all of a specific project for a client and the resulting expenditure is directly attributable to the revenue earned. Revenue is stated exclusive of VAT, sales taxes and trade discounts.
Revenue is typically derived from commissions on media placements and fees for advertising services.
Revenue may consist of various arrangements involving commissions, fees, incentive-based revenue or a combination of the three, as agreed upon with each client.
Revenue is recognised when the service is performed, in accordance with the terms of the contractual arrangement. The amount of revenue recognised depends on whether we act as an agent or as a principal in an arrangement with a client. Where we act as an agent, the revenue recorded is the net amount retained when the fee or commission is earned. Although the Group may bear credit risk in respect of these activities, the arrangements with our clients are such that we consider that we are acting as an agent on their behalf. In such cases, costs incurred with external suppliers (such as media suppliers) are excluded from our revenue. Where the Group acts as a principal and contracts directly with suppliers for media payments and production costs, the revenue recorded is the gross amount billed.
Incentive-based revenue typically comprises both quantitative and qualitative elements; on the element related to quantitative targets, revenue is recognised when the quantitative targets have been achieved; on the element related to qualitative targets, revenue is recognised when the incentive is received or receivable.
The Group receives volume rebates from certain suppliers for transactions entered into on behalf of clients that, based on the terms of the relevant contracts and local law, are either remitted to clients or retained by the Group. If amounts are passed on to clients they are recorded as liabilities until settled or, if retained by the Group, are recorded as revenue when earned.
Revenue recognised in proportion to the level of service performed for market research contracts is based on proportional performance. In assessing contract performance, both input and output criteria are reviewed. Costs incurred are used as an objective input measure of performance. The primary input of all work performed under these arrangements is labour. As a result of the relationship between labour and cost, there is normally a direct relationship between costs incurred and the proportion of the contract performed to date. Costs incurred as a proportion of expected total costs is used as an initial proportional performance measure. This indicative proportional performance measure is subsequently validated against other more subjective criteria (i.e. relevant output measures) such as the percentage of interviews completed, percentage of reports delivered to a client and the achievement of any project milestones stipulated in the contract. In the event of divergence between the objective and more subjective measures, the more subjective measures take precedence since these are output measures.
While most of the studies provided in connection with the Group's market research contracts are undertaken in response to an individual client's or group of clients' specifications, in certain instances a study may be developed as an off-the-shelf product offering sold to a broad client base. For these transactions, revenue is recognised when the product is delivered. Where the terms of transaction provide for licensing the product on a subscription basis, revenue is recognised over the subscription period on a straightline basis or, if applicable, based on usage.
Substantially all services are provided on a fixed price basis. Pricing may also include a provision for a surcharge where the actual labour hours incurred in completing a project are significantly above the labour hours quoted in the project proposal. In instances where this occurs, the surcharge will be included in the total revenue base on which to measure proportional performance when the actual threshold is reached provided that collectability is reasonably assured.
Revenue is typically derived from retainer fees and services to be performed subject to specific agreement. Revenue is recognised when the service is performed, in accordance with the terms of the contractual arrangement. Revenue is recognised on long-term contracts, if the final outcome can be assessed with reasonable certainty, by including in the consolidated income statement revenue and related costs as contract activity progresses.
Corporate taxes are payable on taxable profits at current rates. The tax expense represents the sum of the tax currently payable and deferred tax.
The Group is subject to corporate taxes in a number of different jurisdictions and judgement is required in determining the appropriate provision for transactions where the ultimate tax determination is uncertain. In such circumstances the Group recognises liabilities for anticipated taxes based on the best information available and where the anticipated liability is both probable and estimable. Where the final outcome of such matters differs from the amount recorded, any differences may impact the income tax and deferred tax provisions in the period in which the final determination is made.
The tax laws that apply to the Group's subsidiaries may be amended by the relevant tax authorities. Such potential amendments are regularly monitored and adjustments are made to the Group's tax liabilities and deferred tax assets and liabilities where necessary.
The tax currently payable is based on taxable profit for the year. Taxable profit differs from net profit as reported in the consolidated income statement because it excludes items of income or expense that are taxable or deductible in other years and it further excludes items that are never taxable or deductible. The Group's liability for current tax is calculated using tax rates that have been enacted or substantively enacted by the balance sheet date.
Deferred tax is the tax expected to be payable or recoverable on differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities in the financial statements and the corresponding tax bases used in the computation of taxable profit, and is accounted for using the balance sheet liability method. Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for all taxable temporary differences unless specifically excepted by IAS 12 Income Taxes. Deferred tax assets are recognised to the extent that it is probable that taxable profits will be available against which deductible temporary differences can be utilised. Such assets and liabilities are not recognised if the temporary difference arises from the initial recognition of goodwill or other assets and liabilities (other than in a business combination) in a transaction that affects neither the tax profit nor the accounting profit.
The carrying amount of deferred tax assets is reviewed at each balance sheet date and reduced to the extent that it is no longer probable that sufficient taxable profits will be available to allow all or part of the asset to be recovered.
Deferred tax liabilities are recognised for taxable temporary differences arising on investments in subsidiaries and associates, and interests in joint ventures, except where the Group is able to control the reversal of the temporary difference and it is probable that the temporary difference will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are offset when there is a legally enforceable right to set off current tax assets against current tax liabilities and when they relate to income taxes levied by the same taxation authority and the Group intends to settle its current tax assets and liabilities on a net basis.
Deferred tax is calculated at the tax rates that are expected to apply in the period when the liability is settled or the asset is realised based on enacted or substantively enacted legislation. Deferred tax is charged or credited in the consolidated income statement, except when it relates to items charged or credited directly to equity, in which case the deferred tax is also dealt with in equity.
For defined contribution plans, contributions are charged to the consolidated income statement as payable in respect of the accounting period.
For defined benefit plans the amounts charged to operating profit are the current service costs and gains and losses on settlements and curtailments. They are included as part of staff costs. Past service costs are recognised immediately in the consolidated income statement if the benefits have vested. If the benefits have not vested, the costs are recognised over the period until vesting occurs. The interest cost and the expected return on assets are shown within finance costs and finance income respectively. Actuarial gains and losses are recognised immediately in the statement of comprehensive income.
Where defined benefit plans are funded, the assets of the plan are held separately from those of the Group, in separate trusteeadministered funds. Pension plan assets are measured at fair value and liabilities are measured on an actuarial basis using the projected unit method and discounted at a rate equivalent to the current rate of return on a high-quality corporate bond of equivalent currency and term to the plan liabilities. The actuarial valuations are obtained at least triennially and are updated at each balance sheet date.
Recognition of a surplus in a defined benefit plan is limited based on the economic gain the company is expected to benefit from in the future by means of a refund or reduction in future contributions to the plan, in accordance with IAS 19 Employee Benefits.
Assets held under finance leases are recognised as assets of the Group at the inception of the lease at the lower of their fair value and the present value of the minimum lease payments. Depreciation on leased assets is charged to the consolidated income statement on the same basis as owned assets. Leasing payments are treated as consisting of capital and interest elements and the interest is charged to the consolidated income statement as it is incurred.
Operating lease rentals are charged to the consolidated income statement on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Any premium or discount on the acquisition of a lease is spread over the life of the lease on a straight-line basis.
Foreign currency transactions arising from normal trading activities are recorded at the rates in effect at the date of the transaction. Monetary assets and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies at the year end are translated at the year-end exchange rate. Foreign currency gains and losses are credited or charged to the consolidated income statement as they arise.
The income statements of overseas subsidiary undertakings are translated into pounds sterling at average exchange rates and the year-end net assets of these companies are translated at year-end exchange rates.
Exchange differences arising from retranslation of the opening net assets and on foreign currency borrowings (to the extent that they hedge the Group's investment in such operations) are reported in the consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
Goodwill and fair value adjustments arising on the acquisition of a foreign entity are treated as assets and liabilities of the foreign entity and translated at the closing rate.
The Group issues equity-settled share-based payments (including share options) to certain employees and accounts for these awards in accordance with IFRS 2 (Share-Based Payment). Equity-settled share-based payments are measured at fair value (excluding the effect of non-market-based vesting conditions) at the date of grant. Details regarding the fair value of equity settled share-based transactions are set out in notes 22 and 26.
The fair value determined at the grant date is recognised in the consolidated income statement as an expense on a straight-line basis over the relevant vesting period, based on the Group's estimate of the number of shares that will ultimately vest and adjusted for the effect of non-market-based vesting conditions.
At the date of authorisation of these financial statements, the following Standards and Interpretations, which have not been applied in these financial statements, were in issue but not yet effective:
The Group does not consider that these Standards and Interpretations will have a significant impact on the financial statements of the Group except for additional disclosures when the relevant standards come into effect for periods commencing on or after 1 January 2011.
In the current year IFRS 2 (amended) Share-Based Payment became effective. The adoption of this Standard has not led to any changes in the Group's accounting policies.
The Group adopted IFRS 3 (revised) Business Combinations and IAS 27 (revised) Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements during the year. The revisions to these standards applied to business combinations completed after 1 January 2010. The main impact of these revised standards was as follows:
Management is required to make key decisions and judgements in the process of applying the Group's accounting policies. The most significant areas where such judgements have been necessary are revenue recognition, goodwill and other intangibles, acquisition reserves, taxation and accounting for pension liabilities. Where judgement has been applied, the key factors taken into consideration are disclosed in the accounting policies and the appropriate note in these financial statements.
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £m | £m | £m | |
| Revenue | 2 | 9,331.0 | 8,684.3 | 7,476.9 |
| Direct costs | (770.5) | (703.6) | (467.5) | |
| Gross profit | 8,560.5 | 7,980.7 | 7,009.4 | |
| Operating costs | 3 | (7,587.5) | (7,219.0) | (6,133.4) |
| Operating profit | 973.0 | 761.7 | 876.0 | |
| Share of results of associates | 4 | 55.2 | 57.0 | 46.0 |
| Profit before interest and taxation | 1,028.2 | 818.7 | 922.0 | |
| Finance income | 6 | 81.7 | 150.4 | 169.6 |
| Finance costs | 6 | (276.8) | (355.4) | (319.4) |
| Revaluation of financial instruments | 6 | 18.2 | 48.9 | (25.4) |
| Profit before taxation | 851.3 | 662.6 | 746.8 | |
| Taxation | 7 | (190.3) | (155.7) | (232.9) |
| Profit for the year | 661.0 | 506.9 | 513.9 | |
| Attributable to: | ||||
| Equity holders of the parent | 586.0 | 437.7 | 439.1 | |
| Non-controlling interests | 75.0 | 69.2 | 74.8 | |
| 661.0 | 506.9 | 513.9 | ||
| Earnings per share 1 |
||||
| Basic earnings per ordinary share | 9 | 47.5p | 35.9p | 38.4p |
| Diluted earnings per ordinary share | 9 | 45.9p | 35.3p | 37.6p |
Notes
The accounting policies on pages F-2 to F-8 and the accompanying notes on pages F-15 to F-47 form an integral part of this consolidated income statement.
The calculations of the Group's earnings per share are set out in note 9. 1
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Profit for the year | 661.0 | 506.9 | 513.9 |
| Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments | 156.3 | (155.6) | 1,418.6 |
| Loss on revaluation of available for sale investments | (59.8) | (13.5) | (51.3) |
| Actuarial loss on defined benefit pension plans | (0.4) | (7.2) | (82.2) |
| Deferred tax credit/(charge) on defined benefit pension plans | 0.2 | (4.4) | 0.7 |
| Other comprehensive income/(loss) relating to the year | 96.3 | (180.7) | 1,285.8 |
| Total comprehensive income relating to the year | 757.3 | 326.2 | 1,799.7 |
| Attributable to: | |||
| Equity holders of the parent | 672.6 | 270.4 | 1,685.5 |
| Non-controlling interests | 84.7 | 55.8 | 114.2 |
| 757.3 | 326.2 | 1,799.7 |
Note
The accounting policies on pages F-2 to F-8 and the accompanying notes on pages F-15 to F-47 form an integral part of this consolidated statement of comprehensive income.
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £m | £m | £m | |
| Net cash inflow from operating activities | 11 | 1,361.2 | 818.8 | 922.7 |
| Investing activities | ||||
| Acquisitions and disposals | 11 | (200.1) | (118.4) | (1,029.4) |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | (190.5) | (222.9) | (196.8) | |
| Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised computer | ||||
| software) | (27.0) | (30.4) | (23.8) | |
| Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment | 7.6 | 9.2 | 11.5 | |
| Net cash outflow from investing activities | (410.0) | (362.5) | (1,238.5) | |
| Financing activities | ||||
| Share option proceeds | 42.7 | 4.1 | 10.6 | |
| Cash consideration for non-controlling interests | 11 | (15.1) | (26.4) | (19.7) |
| Share repurchases and buy-backs | 11 | (46.4) | (9.5) | (105.3) |
| Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings | 11 | 19.8 | (426.3) | 810.4 |
| Financing and share issue costs | (3.5) | (18.8) | (19.4) | |
| Equity dividends paid | 8 | (200.4) | (189.8) | (161.8) |
| Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary undertakings | (66.7) | (63.0) | (63.5) | |
| Net cash outflow from financing activities | (269.6) | (729.7) | 451.3 | |
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 681.6 | (273.4) | 135.5 | |
| Translation differences | 82.2 | (98.7) | 120.3 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | 946.0 | 1,318.1 | 1,062.3 | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 11 | 1,709.8 | 946.0 | 1,318.1 |
Note
The accounting policies on pages F-2 to F-8 and the accompanying notes on pages F-15 to F-47 form an integral part of this consolidated cash flow statement.
| 2010 | 2009 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Notes | £m | £m | |
| Non-current assets Intangible assets: |
|||
| Goodwill | 12 | 9,106.3 | 8,697.5 |
| Other | 12 | 1,904.5 | 2,000.7 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 13 | 708.4 | 680.5 |
| Interests in associates | 14 | 792.1 | 729.3 |
| Other investments | 14 | 173.7 | 294.6 |
| Deferred tax assets | 15 | 79.1 | 67.5 |
| Trade and other receivables | 17 | 323.5 | 286.1 |
| 13,087.6 | 12,756.2 | ||
| Current assets | |||
| Inventory and work in progress | 16 | 366.0 | 306.7 |
| Corporate income tax recoverable | 82.9 | 73.0 | |
| Trade and other receivables | 17 | 8,843.4 | 7,548.9 |
| Cash and short-term deposits | 1,965.2 | 1,666.7 | |
| 11,257.5 | 9,595.3 | ||
| Current liabilities | |||
| Trade and other payables | 18 | (11,703.6) | (9,774.0) |
| Corporate income tax payable | (115.8) | (71.6) | |
| Bank overdrafts and loans | 20 | (255.4) | (720.7) |
| (12,074.8) | (10,566.3) | ||
| Net current liabilities | (817.3) | (971.0) | |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 12,270.3 | 11,785.2 | |
| Non-current liabilities | |||
| Bonds and bank loans | 20 | (3,598.2) | (3,586.4) |
| Trade and other payables | 19 | (388.6) | (423.3) |
| Corporate income tax liability | (481.8) | (485.5) | |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 15 | (750.7) | (809.6) |
| Provision for post-employment benefits | 23 | (241.5) | (251.8) |
| Provisions for liabilities and charges | 21 | (161.6) | (152.9) |
| (5,622.4) | (5,709.5) | ||
| Net assets | 6,647.9 | 6,075.7 | |
| Equity | |||
| Called-up share capital | 26 | 126.4 | 125.6 |
| Share premium account | 54.5 | 12.6 | |
| Shares to be issued | 3.1 | 5.5 | |
| Merger reserve | (5,136.8) | (5,138.0) | |
| Other reserves | 27 | 1,182.8 | 1,093.1 |
| Own shares | (144.8) | (154.0) | |
| Retained earnings | 10,361.4 | 9,949.2 | |
| Equity share owners' funds | 6,446.6 | 5,894.0 | |
| Non-controlling interests | 201.3 | 181.7 | |
| Total equity | 6,647.9 | 6,075.7 |
Note
The accounting policies on pages F-2 to F-8 and the accompanying notes on pages F-15 to F-47 form an integral part of this consolidated balance sheet.
| Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| equity | |||||||||
| Called-up | Share | share | Non | ||||||
| share | premium | Shares to | Merger | Other | Own | Retained | owners' | controlling | |
| capital | account | be issued | reserve | 1 reserves |
Shares | earnings | funds | interests | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Balance at 1 January 2008 | 119.2 | 103.9 | 5.3 | (1,365.9) | (114.9) (255.3) | 5,482.1 | 3,974.4 | 120.4 | |
| Reclassification due to Group reconstruction | – | 3,780.6 | – | (3,769.2) | (11.4) | – | – | – | – |
| Transfer of share premium to retained earnings as part of the | |||||||||
| scheme of arrangement | – | (4,143.1) | – | – | – | – | 4,143.1 | – | – |
| Ordinary shares issued in respect of acquisitions | 8.0 | 259.7 | 2.8 | – | – | – | – | 270.5 | – |
| Other ordinary shares issued | 0.2 | 8.3 | (2.8) | 1.1 | – | – | 1.1 | 7.9 | – |
| Share issue/cancellation costs | – | (0.8) | – | (4.8) | – | – | – | (5.6) | – |
| Share cancellations | (1.9) | – | – | – | 1.9 | – | (112.2) | (112.2) | – |
| Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments | – | – | – | – | 1,379.2 | – | – | 1,379.2 | 39.4 |
| Net profit for the year | – | – | – | – | – | – | 439.1 | 439.1 | 74.8 |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | – | – | (161.8) | (161.8) | (63.5 |
| Transfer to goodwill | – | – | 3.4 | – | – | – | – | 3.4 | – |
| Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including stock options) | – | – | – | – | – | – | 62.3 | 62.3 | – |
| Tax adjustment of share-based payments | – | – | – | – | – | – | (9.0) | (9.0) | – |
| Net movement in own shares held by ESOP Trusts | – | – | – | – | – | 52.8 | (56.4) | (3.6) | – |
| Treasury shares disposals | – | – | – | – | – | 12.7 | (5.8) | 6.9 | – |
| Actuarial loss on defined benefit plans | – | – | – | – | – | – | (82.2) | (82.2) | – |
| Deferred tax on defined benefit pension plans | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0.7 | 0.7 | – |
| Loss on revaluation of available for sale investments | – | – | – | – | (51.3) | – | – | (51.3) | – |
| Share purchases – close period commitments | – | – | – | – | 64.8 | – | (5.0) | 59.8 | – |
| Recognition/remeasurement of financial instruments | – | – | – | – | (17.8) | – | 1.5 | (16.3) | – |
| Acquisition of subsidiaries | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | 26.5 |
| Balance at 31 December 2008 | 125.5 | 8.6 | 8.7 | (5,138.8) | 1,250.5 | (189.8) | 9,697.5 | 5,762.2 | 197.6 |
| Ordinary shares issued | 0.1 | 4.0 | (1.7) | 0.8 | – | – | 0.3 | 3.5 | – |
| Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments | – | – | – | – | (142.2) | – | – | (142.2) | (13.4 |
| Net profit for the year | – | – | – | – | – | – | 437.7 | 437.7 | 69.2 |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | – | – | (189.8) | (189.8) | (63.0 |
| Transfer from goodwill | – | – | (1.5) | – | – | – | – | (1.5) | – |
| Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including stock options) | – | – | – | – | – | – | 54.9 | 54.9 | – |
| Net movement in own shares held by ESOP Trusts | – | – | – | – | – | 45.3 | (45.3) | – | – |
| Treasury shares additions | – | – | – | – | – | (9.5) | – | (9.5) | – |
| Actuarial loss on defined benefit plans | – | – | – | – | – | – | (7.2) | (7.2) | – |
| Deferred tax on defined benefit plans | – | – | – | – | – | – | (4.4) | (4.4) | – |
| Loss on revaluation of available for sale investments | – | – | – | – | (13.5) | – | – | (13.5) | – |
| Equity component of convertible bonds (net of deferred tax) | – | – | – | – | 34.7 | – | – | 34.7 | – |
| Recognition/remeasurement of financial instruments | – | – | – | – | (36.4) | – | 5.5 | (30.9) | – |
| Acquisition of subsidiaries | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | (8.7 |
| Balance at 31 December 2009 | 125.6 | 12.6 | 5.5 | (5,138.0) | 1,093.1 | (154.0) | 9,949.2 | 5,894.0 | 181.7 |
| Total | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| equity | |||||||||
| Called-up | Share | share | Non | ||||||
| share | premium | Shares to | Merger | Other | Own | Retained | owners' | controlling | |
| capital | account | be issued | reserve | 1 reserves |
Shares | earnings | funds | interests | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Balance at 31 December 2009 | 125.6 | 12.6 | 5.5 | (5,138.0) | 1,093.1 | (154.0) | 9,949.2 | 5,894.0 | 181.7 |
| Ordinary shares issued | 0.8 | 41.9 | (2.4) | 1.2 | – | – | 0.9 | 42.4 | – |
| Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments | – | – | – | – | 146.6 | – | – | 146.6 | 9.7 |
| Net profit for the year | – | – | – | – | – | – | 586.0 | 586.0 | 75.0 |
| Dividends paid | – | – | – | – | – | – | (200.4) | (200.4) | (66.7 |
| Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including stock options) | – | – | – | – | – | – | 70.4 | 70.4 | – |
| Tax adjustment on share-based payments | – | – | – | – | – | – | 21.1 | 21.1 | – |
| Net movement in own shares held by ESOP Trusts | – | – | – | – | – | 9.2 | (55.6) | (46.4) | – |
| Actuarial loss on defined benefit plans | – | – | – | – | – | – | (0.4) | (0.4) | – |
| Deferred tax on defined benefit plans | – | – | – | – | – | – | 0.2 | 0.2 | – |
| Loss on revaluation of available for sale investments | – | – | – | – | (59.8) | – | – | (59.8) | – |
| Recognition/remeasurement of financial instruments | – | – | – | – | 2.9 | – | 0.9 | 3.8 | – |
| Acquisition of subsidiaries | – | – | – | – | – | – | (10.9) | (10.9) | 1.6 |
| Balance at 31 December 2010 | 126.4 | 54.5 | 3.1 | (5,136.8) | 1,182.8 | (144.8) 10,361.4 | 6,446.6 | 201.3 |
The accounting policies on pages F-2 to F-8 and the accompanying notes on pages F-15 to F-47 form an integral part of this consolidated statement of changes in equity.
Other reserves are analysed in note 27. 1
Total comprehensive income relating to the year ended 31 December 2010 was £757.3 million (2009: £326.2 million, 2008: £1,799.7 million)
WPP plc is a company incorporated in Jersey. The address of the registered office is 22 Grenville Street, St Helier, Jersey, JE4 8PX and the address of the principal executive office is 6 Ely Place, Dublin 2, Ireland. The nature of the Group's operations and its principal activities are set out in note 2. These consolidated financial statements are presented in pounds sterling.
The Group is a leading worldwide communications services organisation offering national and multinational clients a comprehensive range of communications services.
The Group is organised into four reportable segments – Advertising and Media Investment Management; Consumer Insight; Public Relations & Public Affairs; and Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications. This last reportable segment includes WPP Digital and direct, digital, promotional and relationship marketing.
IFRS 8 Operating Segments requires operating segments to be identified on the same basis as is used internally for the review of performance and allocation of resources by the Group chief executive. Provided certain quantitative and qualitative criteria are fulfilled, IFRS 8 permits the aggregation of these components into reportable segments for the purposes of disclosure in the Group's financial statements. In assessing the Group's reportable segments, the directors have had regard to the similar economic characteristics of certain operating segments, their shared client base, the similar nature of their products or services and their long-term margins, amongst other factors.
Reported contributions were as follows:
| 1 Revenue |
Headline 3 PBIT |
Headline PBIT margin |
1,2 Revenue |
Headline 2,3 PBIT |
Headline PBIT 2 margin |
1,2 Revenue |
Headline 2,3 PBIT |
Headline PBIT 2 margin |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 £m |
2010 £m |
2010 % |
2009 £m |
2009 £m |
2009 % |
2008 £m |
2008 £m |
2008 % |
|
| Advertising and Media Investment Management |
3,733.3 | 573.0 | 15.3 | 3,420.5 | 472.8 | 13.8 | 3,380.2 | 581.3 | 17.2 |
| Consumer Insight | 2,430.2 | 234.8 | 9.7 | 2,297.1 | 196.9 | 8.6 | 1,301.8 | 147.6 | 11.3 |
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 844.5 | 133.1 | 15.8 | 795.7 | 122.1 | 15.3 | 752.3 | 124.9 | 16.6 |
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications |
2,323.0 9,331.0 |
287.8 1,228.7 |
12.4 13.2 |
2,171.0 8,684.3 |
225.4 1,017.2 |
10.4 11.7 |
2,042.6 7,476.9 |
264.4 1,118.2 |
12.9 15.0 |
Notes
Intersegment sales have not been separately disclosed as they are not material. 1
2009 and 2008 comparatives have been restated to reflect the transfer of certain revenues of RMG from Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications to Advertising and Media Investment Management. Headline PBIT comparatives have not been restated as the impact was insignificant. A reconciliation from profit before interest and taxation (PBIT) to headline PBIT is provided in note 31. PBIT is reconciled to profit before taxation in the 2 3
| Share | Depreciation | Goodwill | Share of | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| based | Capital | and | impairment & | results of | Interest in | |
| Other information | payments | 1 additions |
2 amortisation |
write-downs | associates | associates |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| 2010 | ||||||
| Advertising and Media Investment Management | 36.8 | 95.6 | 94.2 | 0.3 | 26.2 | 487.3 |
| Consumer Insight | 13.7 | 58.9 | 49.8 | – | 15.1 | 122.6 |
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 3.3 | 12.9 | 14.1 | 2.0 | 4.1 | 58.7 |
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist | ||||||
| Communications | 16.6 | 50.1 | 52.2 | 7.7 | 9.8 | 123.5 |
| 70.4 | 217.5 | 210.3 | 10.0 | 55.2 | 792.1 | |
| 2009 | ||||||
| Advertising and Media Investment Management | 23.1 | 166.5 | 99.7 | 33.3 | 30.7 | 445.9 |
| Consumer Insight | 11.5 | 51.6 | 53.5 | – | 16.9 | 114.5 |
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 4.4 | 19.2 | 15.2 | – | 2.7 | 60.3 |
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist | ||||||
| Communications | 15.9 | 43.8 | 57.4 | 11.0 | 6.7 | 108.6 |
| 54.9 | 281.1 | 225.8 | 44.3 | 57.0 | 729.3 | |
| 2008 | ||||||
| Advertising and Media Investment Management | 33.3 | 93.3 | 86.2 | 9.1 | 32.7 | 474.9 |
| Consumer Insight | 7.5 | 50.9 | 23.0 | 3.0 | 5.4 | 96.7 |
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 4.3 | 13.3 | 13.6 | – | 4.1 | 59.6 |
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist | ||||||
| Communications | 17.2 | 63.1 | 50.2 | 73.5 | 3.8 | 83.1 |
| 62.3 | 220.6 | 173.0 | 85.6 | 46.0 | 714.3 |
Capital additions include purchases of property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets (including capitalised computer software). 1
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment and amortisation of other intangible assets. 2
| Assets | Liabilities | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unallocated | Unallocated | Consolidated | ||||
| Segment | corporate | Consolidated | Segment | corporate | total | |
| Balance sheet | assets | 1 assets |
total assets | liabilities | 1 liabilities |
liabilities |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| 2010 | ||||||
| Advertising and Media Investment Management | 11,795.7 | (9,553.6) | ||||
| Consumer Insight | 3,691.2 | (1,143.9) | ||||
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 1,699.6 | (388.4) | ||||
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications | 5,031.4 | (1,409.4) | ||||
| 22,217.9 | 2,127.2 | 24,345.1 | (12,495.3) | (5,201.9) | (17,697.2) | |
| 2009 | ||||||
| Advertising and Media Investment Management | 10,539.1 | (8,036.9) | ||||
| Consumer Insight | 3,714.6 | (1,002.4) | ||||
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 1,579.7 | (324.9) | ||||
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications | 4,710.9 | (1,237.8) | ||||
| 20,544.3 | 1,807.2 | 22,351.5 | (10,602.0) | (5,673.8) | (16,275.8) |
Note
Included in unallocated corporate assets and liabilities are corporate income tax, deferred tax and net interest-bearing debt. 1
Contributions by geographical area were as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | ||||
| 1 Revenue |
||||||
| 5 North America |
3,299.8 | 3,010.0 | 2,603.2 | |||
| UK | 1,087.6 | 1,029.0 | 954.2 | |||
| 4 Western Continental Europe |
2,325.3 | 2,327.8 | 1,879.1 | |||
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, | ||||||
| Africa & Middle East and | ||||||
| Central & Eastern Europe | 2,618.3 | 2,317.5 | 2,040.4 | |||
| 9,331.0 | 8,684.3 | 7,476.9 | ||||
| Margin | Margin | Margin | ||||
| 2 Headline PBIT |
||||||
| 5 North America |
14.7% | 484.6 | 13.2% | 397.9 | 16.8% | 438.3 |
| UK | 13.6% | 147.9 | 12.8% | 131.5 | 13.0% | 124.1 |
| 4 Western Continental Europe |
9.5% | 221.6 | 8.3% | 193.4 | 13.1% | 247.0 |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, | ||||||
| Africa & Middle East and | ||||||
| Central & Eastern Europe | 14.3% | 374.6 | 12.7% | 294.4 | 15.1% | 308.8 |
| 13.2% | 1,228.7 | 11.7% | 1,017.2 | 15.0% | 1,118.2 | |
| 3 Non-current assets |
||||||
| 5 North America |
4,742.7 | 4,420.1 | ||||
| UK | 1,693.3 | 1,688.3 | ||||
| 4 Western Continental Europe |
3,728.6 | 4,012.6 | ||||
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, | ||||||
| Africa & Middle East and | ||||||
| Central & Eastern Europe | 2,649.2 | 2,379.6 | ||||
| 12,813.8 | 12,500.6 |
Notes
Intersegment sales have not been separately disclosed as they are not material. 1
See note 31 for a reconciliation of headline PBIT to PBIT. 2
Non-current assets excluding financial instruments and deferred tax. 3
Western Continental Europe includes Ireland with revenue of £37.4 million (2009: £43.4 million, 2008: £41.3 million), headline PBIT of £2.0 million (2009: 4
£3.9 million, 2008: £8.0 million) and non-current assets of £65.0 million (2009: £61.6 million).
North America includes the US with revenues of £3,097.9 million (2009: £2,835.8 million, 2008: £2,444.7 million), headline PBIT of £448.7 million (2009: 5
£370.9 million, 2008: £411.0 million) and non-current assets of £4,209.7 million (2009: £4,010.9 million).
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Total staff costs (note 5) | 5,438.7 | 5,117.0 | 4,351.8 |
| Establishment costs | 659.2 | 691.6 | 521.3 |
| Other operating costs (net) | 1,489.6 | 1,410.4 | 1,260.3 |
| Total operating costs | 7,587.5 | 7,219.0 | 6,133.4 |
| Operating costs include: | |||
| Goodwill impairment (note 12) | 10.0 | 44.3 | 84.1 |
| Goodwill write-down relating to utilisation of pre-acquisition tax losses | – | – | 1.5 |
| Investment write-downs | 37.5 | 11.1 | 30.5 |
| Cost of changes to corporate structure | – | – | 4.6 |
| Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets (note 12) | 170.5 | 172.6 | 78.4 |
| Amortisation of other intangible assets (note 12) | 25.4 | 30.5 | 23.4 |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 178.3 | 189.9 | 145.4 |
| Losses on sale of property, plant and equipment | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.9 |
| Gains on disposal of investments | (4.1) | (31.1) | (3.4) |
| Gains on re-measurement of equity interest on acquisition of controlling interest | (13.7) | – | – |
| Net foreign exchange losses/(gains) | 8.0 | 6.4 | (18.3) |
| Operating lease rentals: | |||
| Land and buildings | 449.9 | 461.5 | 350.0 |
| Sublease income | (32.8) | (27.0) | (24.8) |
| 417.1 | 434.5 | 325.2 | |
| Plant and machinery | 24.8 | 28.0 | 26.5 |
| 441.9 | 462.5 | 351.7 |
In 2010, operating profit includes credits totalling £16.5 million (2009: £19.4 million, 2008: £23.7 million) relating to the release of excess provisions and other balances established in respect of acquisitions completed prior to 2009. Further details of the Group's approach to acquisition reserves, as required by IFRS 3 (revised) Business Combinations, are given in note 28.
Investment write-downs of £37.5 million (2009: £11.1 million) relate to certain non-core minority investments in the US and Continental Europe where forecast financial performance and/or liquidity issues indicate a permanent decline in the recoverability of the Group's investment.
All of the operating costs of the Group are related to administrative expenses.
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Fees payable to the Company's auditors for the audit of the Company's annual accounts | 1.4 | 1.5 | 1.7 |
| The audit of the Company's subsidiaries pursuant to legislation | 14.8 | 15.0 | 13.3 |
| 16.2 | 16.5 | 15.0 | |
| Other services pursuant to legislation | 3.1 | 3.2 | 3.8 |
| Fees payable to the auditors pursuant to legislation | 19.3 | 19.7 | 18.8 |
| Tax advisory services | 2.7 | 2.6 | 2.2 |
| Tax compliance services | 1.2 | 1.5 | 0.9 |
| 3.9 | 4.1 | 3.1 | |
| Corporate finance services | 0.2 | 0.2 | 1.5 |
| 1 Other services |
5.1 | 4.8 | 4.4 |
| Total non-audit fees | 9.2 | 9.1 | 9.0 |
| Total fees | 28.5 | 28.8 | 27.8 |
Note Other services include audits for earnout purposes and services for expatriate employees. 1
Amounts payable in 2011 under the foregoing leases will be as follows:
| Plant and machinery | Land and buildings | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 £m |
2010 £m |
2009 £m |
2011 £m |
2010 £m |
2009 £m |
|
| In respect of operating leases which expire: | ||||||
| – within one year | 4.8 | 4.1 | 6.6 | 32.7 | 43.1 | 63.4 |
| – within two to five years | 14.8 | 14.6 | 14.2 | 163.4 | 145.2 | 168.3 |
| – after five years | 0.2 | 1.1 | 0.3 | 159.7 | 143.7 | 107.5 |
| 19.8 | 19.8 | 21.1 | 355.8 | 332.0 | 339.2 |
Future minimum annual amounts payable under all lease commitments in existence at 31 December 2010 are as follows:
| Minimum rental payments £m |
Less sub-let rentals £m |
Net payment £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Year ending 31 December | |||
| 2011 | 375.6 | (21.0) | 354.6 |
| 2012 | 311.4 | (17.9) | 293.5 |
| 2013 | 278.1 | (10.0) | 268.1 |
| 2014 | 222.7 | (2.9) | 219.8 |
| 2015 | 204.9 | (2.3) | 202.6 |
| Later years | 936.0 | (2.0) | 934.0 |
| 2,328.7 | (56.1) | 2,272.6 |
Share of results of associates include:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Share of profit before interest and taxation | 86.0 | 86.3 | 71.5 |
| Share of exceptional losses | (0.3) | (1.6) | (0.5) |
| Share of interest and non-controlling interests | (2.7) | (0.7) | 0.5 |
| Share of taxation | (27.8) | (27.0) | (25.5) |
| 55.2 | 57.0 | 46.0 |
Our staff numbers averaged 101,387 against 105,318 in 2009 and 97,438 in 2008, including acquisitions. Their geographical distribution was as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| North America | 25,546 | 25,004 | 24,493 |
| UK | 9,620 | 9,704 | 8,971 |
| Western Continental Europe | 21,154 | 22,230 | 19,448 |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe | 45,067 | 48,380 | 44,526 |
| 101,387 | 105,318 | 97,438 |
Their operating sector distribution was as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advertising and Media Investment Management | 42,424 | 42,906 | 45,754 |
| Consumer Insight | 28,167 | 28,325 | 14,934 |
| Public Relations & Public Affairs | 7,364 | 7,325 | 7,682 |
| Branding & Identity, Healthcare and Specialist Communications | 23,432 | 26,762 | 29,068 |
| 101,387 | 105,318 | 97,438 |
At the end of 2010 staff numbers were 104,052 (2009: 98,759, 2008: 112,262). Including all employees of associated undertakings, this figure was approximately 146,000 at 31 December 2010 (2009: 138,000, 2008: 135,000).
Total staff costs were made up as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Wages and salaries | 3,696.8 | 3,614.1 | 3,044.6 |
| Cash-based incentive plans | 271.9 | 122.9 | 151.4 |
| Share-based incentive plans (note 22) | 70.4 | 54.9 | 62.3 |
| Social security costs | 450.1 | 442.5 | 346.4 |
| Pension costs (note 23) | 120.6 | 116.4 | 98.3 |
| Other staff costs | 828.9 | 766.2 | 648.8 |
| 5,438.7 | 5,117.0 | 4,351.8 | |
| Staff cost to revenue ratio | 58.3% | 58.9% | 58.2% |
Included above are charges of £7.7 million (2009: £6.1 million, 2008: £5.1 million) for share-based incentive plans in respect of key management personnel (who comprise the directors of the Group). Compensation for key management personnel also included £4.1 million (2009: £3.8 million, 2008: £3.6 million) of shortterm benefits and £0.7 million (2009: £0.7 million, 2008: £0.6 million) of post-employment benefits.
Finance income includes:
| 2008 | ||
|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m |
| 30.6 | 28.7 | 31.3 |
| 9.3 | 10.2 | 9.7 |
| 41.8 | 111.5 | 128.6 |
| 81.7 | 150.4 | 169.6 |
| 2008 | ||
| £m | £m | £m |
| 45.9 | 46.1 | 38.9 |
| 1.9 | 1.3 | 1.6 |
| 229.0 | 308.0 | 278.9 |
| 276.8 | 355.4 | 319.4 |
| 2010 2010 |
2009 2009 |
Revaluation of financial instruments include: 2
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Movements in fair value of treasury instruments | 21.8 | 8.4 | (13.9) |
| Revaluation of put options over non-controlling interests | (3.6) | 15.3 | (11.5) |
| Gains on termination of hedge accounting on repayment of TNS debt | – | 25.2 | – |
| 18.2 | 48.9 | (25.4) |
Interest payable and similar charges are payable on bank overdrafts, bonds and bank loans held at amortised cost. 1
Financial instruments are held at fair value through profit and loss. 2
The majority of the Group's long-term debt is represented by \$1,250 million of US dollar bonds at an average interest rate of 6.9% (prior to any interest rate swaps or cross-currency swaps), €1,850 million of Eurobonds at an average interest rate of 5.52% (prior to any interest rate or currency swaps) and £1,050 million of sterling bonds including convertible bonds at an average interest rate of 5.96%.
Average borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facilities (note 10) amounted to the equivalent of \$818 million at an average interest rate of 0.85% inclusive of margin.
The tax charge is based on the profit for the year and comprises:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Corporation tax | |||
| Current year | 276.2 | 209.8 | 217.7 |
| Prior years | (1.0) | (1.7) | 7.0 |
| 275.2 | 208.1 | 224.7 | |
| Deferred tax | |||
| Current year | (21.4) | (16.1) | (8.4) |
| Net credit in relation to the amortisation of acquired intangible assets and other goodwill items | (37.5) | (37.3) | (12.4) |
| (58.9) | (53.4) | (20.8) | |
| Prior years | (26.0) | 1.0 | 29.0 |
| (84.9) | (52.4) | 8.2 | |
| Tax charge | 190.3 | 155.7 | 232.9 |
The tax charge for the year can be reconciled to profit before taxation in the consolidated income statement as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Profit before taxation | 851.3 | 662.6 | 746.8 |
| 1 1 Tax at the corporation tax rate of 25% (2009: 25% , 2008: UK 28.5%) |
212.8 | 165.7 | 212.8 |
| Tax effect of share of results of associates | (13.8) | (14.3) | (13.4) |
| Tax effect of items that are not taxable | (7.8) | (63.7) | (11.7) |
| Tax effect of utilisation or recognition of tax losses not previously recognised | (47.5) | (10.1) | (6.5) |
| Effect of different tax rates of subsidiaries operating in other jurisdictions | 15.4 | 23.7 | 3.5 |
| Losses carried forward and temporary differences not recognised | 58.2 | 55.1 | 12.2 |
| Prior period adjustments | (27.0) | (0.7) | 36.0 |
| Tax charge | 190.3 | 155.7 | 232.9 |
| Effective tax rate on profit before tax | 22.4% | 23.5% | 31.2% |
In November 2008, WPP introduced a new holding company that is tax resident in the Republic of Ireland. As a result, the tax reconciliation for the years ended 31 December 2010 and 31 December 2009 have been prepared using the Irish non-trading corporation tax rate of 25%, which is the rate applicable to WPP plc. In 2008 the reconciliation was prepared using the prevailing UK corporation tax rate of 28.5%.
Amounts recognised as distributions to equity holders in the year:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per share | Pence per share | £m | £m | £m | ||
| 2009 Second interim dividend paid | 10.28p | 10.28p | 9.13p | 126.6 | 126.1 | 103.1 |
| 2010 First interim dividend paid | 5.97p | 5.19p | 5.19p | 73.8 | 63.7 | 58.7 |
| 16.25p | 15.47p | 14.32p | 200.4 | 189.8 | 161.8 | |
| Second interim dividend for the year ended 31 December 2010: |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Per share | Pence per share | ||
The payment of dividends will not have any tax consequences for the Group.
The calculation of basic EPS is as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Earnings (£m) |
586.0 | 437.7 | 439.1 |
| Average shares used in Basic EPS calculation (m) | 1,233.1 | 1,218.7 | 1,143.4 |
| EPS | 47.5p | 35.9p | 38.4p |
Earnings is equivalent to profit for the year attributable to equity holders of the parent. 1
The calculation of diluted EPS is set out below:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diluted earnings (£m) | 614.3 | 437.7 | 439.9 |
| Average shares used in diluted EPS calculation (m) | 1,339.0 | 1,238.2 | 1,169.6 |
| Diluted EPS | 45.9p | 35.3p | 37.6p |
Diluted EPS has been calculated based on the diluted earnings amount above. On 19 May 2009 the Group issued £450 million 5.75% convertible bonds due May 2014. For the year ended 31 December 2010 these convertible bonds were dilutive and earnings were consequently increased by £28.3 million for the purpose of the calculation of diluted earnings. For the year ended 31 December 2009 these convertible bonds were accretive to earnings and therefore excluded from this calculation. For the year ended 31 December 2008 the \$150 million 5% Grey convertible bonds were dilutive and earnings were consequently increased by £0.8 million for the purpose of this calculation; these bonds were redeemed on 28 October 2008. In addition, at 31 December 2010, options to purchase 11.6 million ordinary shares (2009: 33.2 million, 2008: 28.0 million) were outstanding, but were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share because the exercise prices of these options were greater than the average market price of the Group's shares and, therefore, their inclusion would have been accretive.
A reconciliation between the shares used in calculating basic and diluted EPS is as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| m | m | m | |
| Average shares used in basic EPS calculation | 1,233.1 | 1,218.7 | 1,143.4 |
| Dilutive share options outstanding | 6.7 | 2.1 | 2.9 |
| Other potentially issuable shares | 22.7 | 17.4 | 16.0 |
| £450 million 5.75% convertible bonds | 76.5 | – | – |
| \$150 million Grey convertible bonds | – | – | 7.3 |
| Shares used in diluted EPS calculation | 1,339.0 | 1,238.2 | 1,169.6 |
At 31 December 2010 there were 1,264,391,221 ordinary shares in issue.
The following table summarises the equity and debt financing of the Group, and changes during the year:
| Shares | Debt | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 2009 | 2010 | 2009 | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Analysis of changes in financing | ||||
| Beginning of year | 138.2 | 134.1 | 3,586.4 | 4,385.7 |
| Other ordinary shares issued | 42.7 | 4.1 | – | – |
| Net increase/(decrease) in drawings on bank loans, corporate bonds and | ||||
| convertible bonds | – | – | 19.8 | (426.3) |
| Net amortisation of financing costs included in debt | – | – | 13.6 | (32.8) |
| Other movements | – | – | 0.5 | (21.1) |
| Exchange adjustments | – | – | (22.1) | (319.1) |
| End of year | 180.9 | 138.2 | 3,598.2 | 3,586.4 |
The above table excludes bank overdrafts which fall within cash and cash equivalents for the purposes of the consolidated cash flow statement.
At 31 December 2010, the Company's share base was entirely composed of ordinary equity share capital and share premium of £180.9 million (2009: £138.2 million), further details of which are disclosed in note 26.
US\$ bonds The Group has in issue \$600 million of 8% bonds due September 2014 and \$650 million of 5.875% bonds due June 2014.
Eurobonds The Group has in issue €600 million of 4.375% bonds due December 2013, €500 million of 5.25% bonds due January 2015 and €750 million of 6.625% bonds due May 2016.
Sterling bonds The Group has in issue £400 million of 6% bonds due April 2017 and £200 million of 6.375% bonds due November 2020.
Revolving Credit Facilities The Group has a \$1.6 billion seven-year Revolving Credit Facility due August 2012 and a £200 million amortising Revolving Credit Facility maturing in July 2011. The Group's borrowing under these facilities, which are drawn down predominantly in US dollars, euros, Canadian dollars and pounds sterling, averaged the equivalent of \$818 million in 2010. The Group had available undrawn committed credit facilities of £1,145 million at December 2010 (2009: £1,335 million).
Borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facilities are governed by certain financial covenants based on the results and financial position of the Group.
The Group has a \$1.4 billion US Commercial Paper Program using the \$1.6 billion Revolving Credit Facility as a backstop. There was no US Commercial Paper outstanding at 31 December 2010.
The Group has in issue £450 million of 5.75% convertible bonds due May 2014. At the option of the holder, the bonds are convertible into 76,530,612 WPP ordinary shares at an initial share price of £5.88 per share.
The convertible bonds have a nominal value of £450 million at 31 December 2010. In accordance with IAS 39, these bonds have been split between a liability component and an equity component by initially valuing the liability component at fair value based on the present value of future cash flows and then holding it at amortised cost. This fair value has been calculated assuming redemption in May 2014 and using a discount rate of 8.25%, based on the estimated rate of interest that would have applied to a comparable bond issued at that time without the convertible option. The equity component represents the fair value, on initial recognition, of the embedded option to convert the liability into equity of the Group.
The liability element is £413.2 million and the equity component is £44.5 million as at 31 December 2010.
The Group estimates that the fair value of the liability component of the convertible bonds at 31 December 2010 to be approximately £433.2 million. This fair value has been calculated by discounting the future cash flows at the market rate.
The following table is an analysis of future anticipated cash flows in relation to the Group's debt, on an undiscounted basis which, therefore, differs from the fair value and carrying value:
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | |
| Within one year | (209.4) | (210.0) |
| Between one and two years | (308.7) | (210.0) |
| Between two and three years | (721.1) | (228.1) |
|---|---|---|
| Between three and four years | (1,416.3) | (797.7) |
| Between four and five years | (509.8) | (1,396.6) |
| Over five years | (1,355.4) | (1,928.4) |
| Debt financing under the Revolving Credit Facility and in relation to unsecured loan notes | (4,520.7) | (4,770.8) |
| Short-term overdrafts – within one year | (255.4) | (720.7) |
| Future anticipated cash flows | (4,776.1) | (5,491.5) |
| Effect of discounting/financing rates | 922.5 | 1,184.4 |
| Debt financing | (3,853.6) | (4,307.1) |
3,598.2
Analysis of fixed and floating rate debt by currency including the effect of interest rate and cross-currency swaps:
| 2010 Currency |
Fixed Floating 1 £m rate basis |
Period 1 (months) |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| \$ | – fixed | 1,338.0 6.54% n/a |
44 |
| – floating | 283.0 n/a LIBOR |
n/a | |
| £ | – fixed | 550.0 6.07% n/a |
83 |
| – floating | 200.0 n/a LIBOR |
n/a | |
| € | – fixed | 728.7 6.50% n/a |
63 |
| – floating | 363.1 n/a EURIBOR |
n/a | |
| ¥ | – fixed | 71.1 2.07% n/a |
36 |
| 2 \$C |
– floating | 81.1 n/a LIBOR |
n/a |
| Other | (16.8) n/a n/a |
n/a |
| 2009 Currency |
£m | Fixed 1 rate |
Floating basis |
Period 1 (months) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| \$ | – fixed | 1,106.1 | 6.54% | n/a | 56 |
| – floating | 459.0 | n/a | LIBOR | n/a | |
| £ | – fixed | 550.0 | 6.07% | n/a | 95 |
| – floating | 200.0 | n/a | LIBOR | n/a | |
| € | – fixed | 754.3 | 6.50% | n/a | 75 |
| – floating | 375.9 | n/a | EURIBOR | n/a | |
| ¥ | – fixed | 59.8 | 2.07% | n/a | 48 |
| 2 \$C |
– floating | 56.2 | n/a | LIBOR | n/a |
| Other | 25.1 | n/a | LIBOR | n/a | |
| 3,586.4 |
Weighted average. These rates do not include the effect of gains on interest rate swap terminations that are written to income over the life of the original instrument. At 31 December 2010 the amount still to be written to income was £1.7 million (2009:£2.2 million) in respect of US dollar swap terminations, to be written to income evenly until June 2014. 1
Represents Canadian dollars. 2
The following table is an analysis of future anticipated cash flows in relation to the Group's financial derivatives, which include interest rate swaps, cash flow hedges and other foreign exchange swaps:
| Financial liabilities | Financial assets | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payable | Receivable | Payable | Receivable | |
| 2010 | £m | £m | £m | £m |
| Within one year | 74.1 | 46.3 | 160.0 | 205.4 |
| Between one and two years | 36.6 | 29.2 | 85.7 | 123.5 |
| Between two and three years | 335.2 | 241.1 | 758.8 | 847.0 |
| Between three and four years | 368.7 | 291.0 | 804.8 | 877.8 |
| Between four and five years | 480.6 | 355.8 | 556.5 | 656.4 |
| Over five years | 27.1 | 27.1 | 457.3 | 488.4 |
| 1,322.3 | 990.5 | 2,823.1 | 3,198.5 |
| Financial liabilities | Financial assets | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Payable | Receivable | Payable | Receivable | |
| 2009 | £m | £m | £m | £m |
| Within one year | 284.5 | 272.8 | 170.5 | 218.7 |
| Between one and two years | 38.1 | 31.8 | 78.4 | 111.7 |
| Between two and three years | 45.4 | 39.0 | 107.5 | 128.9 |
| Between three and four years | 325.9 | 249.7 | 796.3 | 881.8 |
| Between four and five years | 336.7 | 242.4 | 841.0 | 909.3 |
| Over five years | 489.3 | 384.4 | 803.8 | 925.5 |
| 1,519.9 | 1,220.1 | 2,797.5 | 3,175.9 |
Included in these amounts are anticipated cash flows in relation to cash flow hedges.
The following tables analyse the items included within the main cash flow headings on page F-11.
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Profit for the year | 661.0 | 506.9 | 513.9 |
| Taxation | 190.3 | 155.7 | 232.9 |
| Revaluation of financial instruments | (18.2) | (48.9) | 25.4 |
| Finance costs | 276.8 | 355.4 | 319.4 |
| Finance income | (81.7) | (150.4) | (169.6) |
| Share of results of associates | (55.2) | (57.0) | (46.0) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjustments for: | |||
| Non-cash share-based incentive plans (including share options) | 70.4 | 54.9 | 62.3 |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 184.9 | 195.3 | 149.6 |
| Impairment of goodwill | 10.0 | 44.3 | 84.1 |
| Goodwill write-down relating to utilisation of pre-acquisition tax losses | – | – | 1.5 |
| Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets | 170.5 | 172.6 | 78.4 |
| Amortisation of other intangible assets | 25.4 | 30.5 | 23.4 |
| Investment write-downs | 37.5 | 11.1 | 30.5 |
| Gains on disposal of investments | (4.1) | (31.1) | (3.4) |
| Gains on re-measurement of equity interest on acquisition of controlling interest | (13.7) | – | – |
| Losses on sale of property, plant and equipment | 0.7 | 0.4 | 1.9 |
| (Increase)/decrease in inventories and work in progress | (46.3) | 12.4 | 65.6 |
| (Increase)/decrease in receivables | (850.8) | (90.0) | 492.6 |
| Increase/(decrease) in payables – short term | 1,135.7 | (51.3) | (628.9) |
| Increase/(decrease) in payables – long term | 10.3 | 25.5 | (23.1) |
| (Decrease)/increase in provisions | (23.4) | 1.3 | (15.5) |
| Corporation and overseas tax paid | (207.4) | (216.6) | (182.5) |
| Interest and similar charges paid | (219.7) | (248.7) | (269.2) |
| Interest received | 50.7 | 99.6 | 133.0 |
| Investment income | 4.2 | 1.4 | 1.8 |
| Dividends from associates | 53.3 | 45.5 | 44.6 |
| Net cash inflow from operating activities | 1,361.2 | 818.8 | 922.7 |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Initial cash consideration | (138.6) | (35.4) | (872.2) |
| Cash and cash equivalents acquired (net) | 57.0 | 1.3 | (6.1) |
| Earnout payments | (113.3) | (81.5) | (67.8) |
| Loan note redemptions | (5.1) | – | (2.6) |
| Purchase of other investments (including associates) | (23.8) | (53.3) | (91.7) |
| Proceeds on disposal of investments | 23.7 | 50.5 | 11.0 |
| Acquisitions and disposals | (200.1) | (118.4) | (1,029.4) |
| Cash consideration for non-controlling interests | (15.1) | (26.4) | (19.7) |
| Net cash outflow | (215.2) | (144.8) | (1,049.1) |
| Share repurchases and buy-backs: | |||
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Purchase of own shares by ESOP Trust | (46.4) | – | – |
| Share cancellations (excluding brokerage fees) | – | – | (112.2) |
| Shares purchased into treasury | – | (9.5) | – |
| Proceeds on disposal of treasury shares | – | – | 6.9 |
| Net cash outflow | (46.4) | (9.5) | (105.3) |
| Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings: | |||
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Increase/(decrease) in drawings on bank loans | 19.8 | (1,068.0) | 1,273.3 |
| Proceeds from issue of £450 million convertible bonds | – | 450.0 | – |
| Proceeds from issue of \$600 million bonds | – | 367.4 | – |
| Repayment of TNS debt | – | (175.7) | (395.7) |
| Repayment of €650 million bonds | – | – | (515.1) |
| Repayment of \$100 million bonds | – | – | (50.5) |
| Repayment of \$150 million convertible debt | – | – | (96.2) |
| Proceeds from issue of €750 million bonds | – | – | 594.6 |
| Net cash inflow/(outflow) | 19.8 | (426.3) | 810.4 |
| Cash and cash equivalents: | |||
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 1,877.1 | 1,570.5 | 2,485.9 |
| Short-term bank deposits | 88.1 | 96.2 | 86.6 |
| 1 Overdrafts |
(255.4) | (720.7) | (1,254.4) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 1,709.8 | 946.0 | 1,318.1 |
| Note |
Bank overdrafts are included in cash and cash equivalents because they form an integral part of the Group's cash management. 1
The Group considers that the carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents approximates their fair value.
The movements in 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
| £m | |
|---|---|
| Cost: | |
| 1 January 2009 | 9,640.6 |
| 1 Additions |
21.1 |
| Exchange differences | (414.9) |
| 31 December 2009 | 9,246.8 |
| 1 Additions |
246.3 |
| Exchange differences | 185.7 |
| 31 December 2010 | 9,678.8 |
| Accumulated impairment losses and write-downs: | |
| 1 January 2009 | 547.4 |
| Impairment losses for the year | 21.6 |
| Exchange differences | (19.7) |
| 31 December 2009 | 549.3 |
| Impairment losses for the year | 8.3 |
| Exchange differences | 14.9 |
| 31 December 2010 | 572.5 |
| Net book value: | |
|---|---|
| 31 December 2010 | 9,106.3 |
| 31 December 2009 | 8,697.5 |
| 1 January 2009 | 9,093.2 |
Note 1
Additions represent goodwill arising on the acquisition of subsidiary undertakings including the effect of any revisions to fair value adjustments that had been determined provisionally at the immediately preceding balance sheet date, as permitted by IFRS 3 (revised) Business Combinations. The effect of such revisions was not material in either year presented. Goodwill arising on the acquisition of associate undertakings is shown within interests in associates and joint ventures in note 14.
Cash-generating units with significant goodwill as at 31 December 2010 and 2009 are:
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | |
| GroupM | 2,105.0 | 2,044.3 |
| Kantar | 1,740.0 | 1,738.6 |
| Y&R Advertising | 1,092.7 | 1,019.2 |
| Wunderman | 1,143.8 | 958.7 |
| Burson-Marsteller | 545.9 | 516.1 |
| Other | 2,478.9 | 2,420.6 |
| Total goodwill | 9,106.3 | 8,697.5 |
Other goodwill represents goodwill on a large number of cash-generating units, none of which is individually significant in comparison to the total carrying value of goodwill.
The movements in 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
| Brands | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| with an | ||||
| indefinite | Acquired | |||
| useful life | intangibles | Other | Total | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Cost: | ||||
| 1 January 2009 | 1,073.2 | 1,377.6 | 203.6 | 2,654.4 |
| Additions | – | – | 33.5 | 33.5 |
| Disposals | – | – | (8.1) | (8.1) |
| New acquisitions | – | 6.6 | – | 6.6 |
| Other movements | – | 1.2 | 4.5 | 5.7 |
| Exchange differences | (60.0) | (88.4) | (21.7) | (170.1) |
| 31 December 2009 | 1,013.2 | 1,297.0 | 211.8 | 2,522.0 |
| Additions | – | – | 27.0 | 27.0 |
| Disposals | – | – | (14.2) | (14.2) |
| New acquisitions | – | 25.5 | 0.7 | 26.2 |
| Other movements | – | 1.1 | 4.0 | 5.1 |
| Exchange differences | 40.5 | 8.9 | 0.6 | 50.0 |
| 31 December 2010 | 1,053.7 | 1,332.5 | 229.9 | 2,616.1 |
| Amortisation and impairment: | ||||
| 1 January 2009 | – | 221.7 | 136.9 | 358.6 |
| Charge for the year | – | 172.6 | 30.5 | 203.1 |
| Disposals | – | – | (8.1) | (8.1) |
| Other movements | – | (2.0) | (3.1) | (5.1) |
| Exchange differences | – | (14.8) | (12.4) | (27.2) |
| 31 December 2009 | – | 377.5 | 143.8 | 521.3 |
| Charge for the year | – | 170.5 | 25.4 | 195.9 |
| Disposals | – | – | (14.0) | (14.0) |
| Other movements | – | (2.4) | 2.3 | (0.1) |
| Exchange differences | – | 5.2 | 3.3 | 8.5 |
| 31 December 2010 | – | 550.8 | 160.8 | 711.6 |
| Net book value: | ||||
| 31 December 2010 | 1,053.7 | 781.7 | 69.1 | 1,904.5 |
| 31 December 2009 | 1,013.2 | 919.5 | 68.0 | 2,000.7 |
| 1 January 2009 | 1,073.2 | 1,155.9 | 66.7 | 2,295.8 |
Brands with an indefinite life are carried at historical cost in accordance with the Group's accounting policy for intangible assets. The carrying values of the separately identifiable brands are not individually significant in comparison with the total carrying value of brands with an indefinite useful life.
Acquired intangible assets at net book value at 31 December 2010 include brand names of £357.4 million (2009: £377.5 million), customer-related intangibles of £327.3 million (2009: £403.5 million), and other assets (including proprietary tools) of £97.0 million (2009: £138.5 million).
In accordance with the Group's accounting policy, the carrying values of goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite useful lives are reviewed for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired.
The carrying values of brands with an indefinite useful life are assessed for impairment purposes by using the royalty and loyalty methods of valuation, both of which utilise the net present value of future cash flows associated with the brands.
The 2010 goodwill impairment review was initially undertaken as at 30 June 2010 and then updated as at 31 December 2010. The review assessed whether the carrying value of goodwill was supported by the net present value of future cash flows, using a pre-tax discount rate of 9.58% (2009: 10.27%) and management forecasts for a projection period of up to five years, followed by an assumed annual long-term growth rate of 3.0% (2009: 3.0%) and no assumed improvement in operating margin. Management have made the judgement that this long-term growth rate does not exceed the long-term average growth rate for the industry.
Goodwill impairment charges of £10.0 million and £44.3 million were recorded in the years ended 31 December 2010 and 2009, respectively. The impairment charges relate to certain under-performing businesses in the Group. In certain markets, the impact of current local economic conditions and trading circumstances on these businesses was sufficiently severe to indicate impairment to the carrying value of goodwill.
Under IFRS, an impairment charge is required for both goodwill and other indefinite-lived assets when the carrying amount exceeds the 'recoverable amount', defined as the higher of fair value less costs to sell and value in use. Our approach in determining the recoverable amount utilises a discounted cash flow methodology, which necessarily involves making numerous estimates and assumptions regarding revenue growth, operating margins, appropriate discount rates and working capital requirements. These estimates will likely differ from future actual results of operations and cash flows, and it is possible that these differences could be material. In addition, judgements are applied in determining the level of cash-generating unit we identify for impairment testing and the criteria we use to determine which assets should be aggregated. A difference in testing levels could affect whether an impairment is recorded and the extent of impairment loss. Changes in our business activities or structure may also result in changes to the level of testing in future periods. Further, future events could cause the Group to conclude that impairment indicators exist and that the asset values associated with a given operation have become impaired. Any resulting impairment loss could have a material impact on the Group's financial condition and results of operations.
Historically our impairment losses have resulted from a specific event, condition or circumstance in one of our companies, such as the loss of a significant client. As a result, changes in the assumptions used in our impairment model have not had a significant effect on the impairment charges recognised and a reasonably possible change in assumptions would not lead to an impairment. The carrying value of goodwill and other intangible assets will continue to be reviewed at least annually for impairment and adjusted to the recoverable amount if required.
The movements in 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
| Lease | Fixtures, fittings and |
Com puter |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freehold | hold | equip | equip | |||
| Land £m |
buildings £m |
buildings £m |
ment £m |
ment £m |
Total £m |
|
| Cost: | ||||||
| 1 January 2009 | 12.4 | 83.1 | 556.3 | 385.1 | 579.1 | 1,616.0 |
| Additions | – | 1.3 | 151.5 | 38.3 | 56.5 | 247.6 |
| New acquisitions | – | – | 0.3 | 0.8 | 1.5 | 2.6 |
| Disposals | – | (0.9) | (28.1) | (31.2) | (63.2) | (123.4) |
| Exchange adjustments | – | (10.3) | (60.9) | (30.4) | (38.5) | (140.1) |
| 31 December 2009 | 12.4 | 73.2 | 619.1 | 362.6 | 535.4 | 1,602.7 |
| Additions | – | 0.7 | 71.5 | 35.6 | 82.7 | 190.5 |
| New acquisitions | – | – | 2.1 | 2.6 | 4.4 | 9.1 |
| Disposals | – | (0.5) | (43.0) | (37.0) | (60.7) | (141.2) |
| Exchange adjustments | – | – | 23.0 | 12.2 | 19.3 | 54.5 |
| 31 December 2010 | 12.4 | 73.4 | 672.7 | 376.0 | 581.1 | 1,715.6 |
| Depreciation: | ||||||
| 1 January 2009 | – | 27.3 | 265.8 | 218.8 | 413.4 | 925.3 |
| Charge for the year | – | 2.4 | 60.1 | 46.0 | 86.8 | 195.3 |
| Disposals | – | (0.3) | (26.6) | (28.8) | (58.8) | (114.5) |
| Exchange adjustments | – | (3.6) | (21.3) | (21.7) | (37.3) | (83.9) |
| 31 December 2009 | – | 25.8 | 278.0 | 214.3 | 404.1 | 922.2 |
| Charge for the year | – | 2.7 | 58.2 | 42.9 | 81.1 | 184.9 |
| Disposals | – | (0.5) | (37.6) | (35.9) | (58.7) | (132.7) |
| Exchange adjustments | – | – | 13.1 | 7.0 | 12.7 | 32.8 |
| 31 December 2010 | – | 28.0 | 311.7 | 228.3 | 439.2 | 1,007.2 |
| Net book value: | ||||||
| 31 December 2010 | 12.4 | 45.4 | 361.0 | 147.7 | 141.9 | 708.4 |
| 31 December 2009 | 12.4 | 47.4 | 341.1 | 148.3 | 131.3 | 680.5 |
| 1 January 2009 | 12.4 | 55.8 | 290.5 | 166.3 | 165.7 | 690.7 |
At the end of the year, capital commitments contracted, but not provided for in respect of property, plant and equipment were £40.7 million (2009: £17.8 million).
The movements in 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
| Net | Goodwill and other |
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| assets of | intangibles | Total | ||
| associates | of associates | associates | Other | |
| and joint | and joint | and joint | invest | |
| ventures | ventures | ventures | ments | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| 1 January 2009 | 340.4 | 373.9 | 714.3 | 310.9 |
| Additions | 17.9 | – | 17.9 | 52.4 |
| Goodwill arising on acquisition of new associates | – | 26.5 | 26.5 | – |
| Share of results of associate undertakings (note 4) | 57.0 | – | 57.0 | – |
| Dividends and other movements | (56.1) | 29.8 | (26.3) | 1.0 |
| Exchange adjustments | (19.8) | (9.2) | (29.0) | (27.2) |
| Disposals | (0.7) | (0.2) | (0.9) | (17.9) |
| Reclassification to subsidiaries | (1.6) | (3.9) | (5.5) | – |
| Revaluation of other investments | – | – | – | (13.5) |
| Goodwill impairment | – | (22.7) | (22.7) | – |
| Amortisation of other intangible assets | – | (2.0) | (2.0) | – |
| Write-downs | – | – | – | (11.1) |
| 31 December 2009 | 337.1 | 392.2 | 729.3 | 294.6 |
| Additions | 8.0 | – | 8.0 | 20.2 |
| Goodwill arising on acquisition of new associates | – | 5.6 | 5.6 | – |
| Share of results of associate undertakings (note 4) | 55.2 | – | 55.2 | – |
| Dividends and other movements | (52.7) | (0.9) | (53.6) | – |
| Exchange adjustments | 35.9 | 36.9 | 72.8 | (24.0) |
| Disposals | – | – | – | (22.0) |
| Reclassification to subsidiaries | (8.5) | (10.4) | (18.9) | – |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revaluation of other investments | – | – | – | (59.8) |
| Goodwill impairment | – | (1.7) | (1.7) | – |
| Amortisation of other intangible assets | – | (2.4) | (2.4) | – |
| Write-downs | (2.2) | – | (2.2) | (35.3) |
| 31 December 2010 | 372.8 | 419.3 | 792.1 | 173.7 |
The investments included above as 'other investments' represent investments in equity securities that present the Group with opportunity for return through dividend income and trading gains. They have no fixed maturity or coupon rate. The fair values of the listed securities are based on quoted market prices. For unlisted securities, where market value is not available, the Group has estimated relevant fair values on the basis of publicly available information from outside sources or on the basis of discounted cash flow models where appropriate.
The carrying values of the Group's associates and joint ventures are reviewed for impairment in accordance with the Group's accounting policies. The Group's principal associates and joint ventures at 31 December 2010 included:
| % | Country of | |
|---|---|---|
| owned | incorporation | |
| Asatsu-DK | 24.3 | Japan |
| CHI & Partners Limited | 49.9 | UK |
| Chime Communications PLC | 15.0 | UK |
| Dentsu, Young & Rubicam Inc. | 49.0 | Japan |
| GIIR, Inc | 22.7 | Korea |
| High Co S.A. | 34.1 | France |
| Ibope Latinoamericana SA | 44.2 | Brazil |
| Ooh! Media Group Limited | 27.2 | Australia |
| Scangroup Limited | 27.5 | Kenya |
| Singleton, Ogilvy & Mather (Holdings) Pty Limited | 33.3 | Australia |
| STW Communications Group Limited | 20.6 | Australia |
| The Grass Roots Group PLC | 44.8 | UK |
| The Jupiter Drawing Room Pty Limited | 49.0 | South Africa |
The market value of the Group's shares in its principal listed associate undertakings at 31 December 2010 was as follows: Asatsu-DK: £180.9 million, Chime Communications PLC: £22.6 million, High Co S.A.: £30.0 million, GIIR, Inc: £22.4 million, Scangroup Limited: £30.0 million, STW Communications Group Limited: £52.2 million and Ooh! Media Group Limited: £22.3 million (2009: Asatsu-DK: £125.6 million, Chime Communications PLC: £24.3 million, High Co S.A.: £23.8 million, GIIR, Inc.: £21.2 million, Scangroup Limited: £12.6 million, STW Communications Group Limited: £31.3 million and Ooh! Media Group Limited: £6.6 million).
The carrying value (including goodwill and other intangibles) of these equity interests in the Group's consolidated balance sheet at 31 December 2010 was as follows: Asatsu-DK: £220.7 million, Chime Communications PLC: £23.0 million, High Co S.A.: £30.9 million, GIIR, Inc: £18.7 million, Scangroup Limited: £17.1 million, STW Communications Group Limited: £69.4 million and Ooh! Media Group Limited: £17.9 million (2009: Asatsu-DK: £189.9 million, Chime Communications PLC: £22.0 million, High Co S.A.: £29.9 million, GIIR, Inc: £14.3 million, Scangroup Limited: £12.8 million, STW Communications Group Limited: £57.6 million and Ooh! Media Group Limited: £14.4 million).
Where the market value of the Group's listed associates is less than the carrying value, an impairment review is performed utilising the discounted cash flow methodology discussed in note 12.
The Group's investments in its principal associate undertakings are represented by ordinary shares.
The following tables present a summary of the aggregate financial performance and net asset position of the Group's associate undertakings and joint ventures. These have been estimated and converted, where appropriate, to an IFRS presentation based on information provided by the relevant companies at 31 December 2010.
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Income statement | |||
| Revenue | 2,142.3 | 1,968.9 | 1,588.3 |
| Operating profit | 229.9 | 219.2 | 221.3 |
| Profit before taxation | 245.1 | 237.0 | 221.3 |
| Profit for the year | 179.1 | 166.0 | 147.6 |
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
||
| Balance sheet | |||
| Assets | 4,355.7 | 3,929.4 | |
| Liabilities | (2,394.1) | (2,236.3) | |
| Net assets | 1,961.6 | 1,693.1 |
The application of equity accounting is ordinarily discontinued when the investment is reduced to zero and additional losses are not provided for unless the investor has guaranteed obligations of the investee or is otherwise committed to provide further financial support for the investee.
At the end of the year, capital commitments contracted, but not provided for in respect of interests in associates and other investments were £24.9 million (2009: £22.3 million).
The Group's deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured at the end of each period in accordance with IAS 12. The recognition of deferred tax assets is determined by reference to the Group's estimate of recoverability, using models where appropriate to forecast future taxable profits.
Deferred tax assets are recognised in relation to an element of the Group's defined benefit pension provisions and share based payment schemes. Assets have only been recognised for territories where the Group considers that it is probable there would be sufficient taxable profits for the future deductions to be utilised.
Based on available evidence, both positive and negative, we determine whether it is probable that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets will be realised. The main factors that we consider include:
– the future earnings potential determined through the use of internal forecasts;
– the cumulative losses in recent years;
If market conditions improve and future results of operations exceed our current expectations, our existing recognised deferred tax assets may be adjusted, resulting in future tax benefits. Alternatively, if market conditions deteriorate further or future results of operations are less than expected, future assessments may result in a determination that some or all of the deferred tax assets are not realisable. As a result, all or a portion of the deferred tax assets may need to be reversed.
Certain deferred tax assets and liabilities have been offset as they relate to the same tax group. The following is the analysis of the deferred tax balances for financial reporting purposes:
| As | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross | Offset | reported | |
| £m | £m | £m | |
| 2010 | |||
| Deferred tax assets | 137.6 | (58.5) | 79.1 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | (809.2) | 58.5 | (750.7) |
| (671.6) | – | (671.6) | |
| 2009 | |||
| Deferred tax assets | 75.6 | (8.1) | 67.5 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | (817.7) | 8.1 | (809.6) |
| (742.1) | – | (742.1) |
The following are the major gross deferred tax assets recognised by the Group and movements thereon in 2010 and 2009:
| Other | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Retirement | Deferred | US | short-term | |||
| Tax | benefit | comp | stock | temporary | ||
| losses | obligations | ensation | plans | differences | Total | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| 1 January 2009 | 9.1 | 16.0 | 12.2 | – | 31.4 | 68.7 |
| (Charge)/credit to income | (1.3) | – | (5.3) | – | 17.9 | 11.3 |
| Charge to equity | – | (4.4) | – | – | – | (4.4) |
| Exchange adjustments | 0.4 | 0.8 | 0.4 | – | (1.6) | – |
| 31 December 2009 | 8.2 | 12.4 | 7.3 | – | 47.7 | 75.6 |
| (Charge)/credit to income | (1.9) | 0.5 | (1.8) | 30.6 | 18.0 | 45.4 |
| Credit to equity | – | 0.2 | – | 19.0 | 0.2 | 19.4 |
| Exchange adjustments | – | – | – | – | 3.3 | 3.3 |
| Transfer to current tax | – | – | – | – | (6.1) | (6.1) |
| 31 December 2010 | 6.3 | 13.1 | 5.5 | 49.6 | 63.1 | 137.6 |
Other short-term temporary differences comprise a number of items, none of which is individually significant to the Group's consolidated balance sheet. At 31 December 2010 the balance related to temporary differences in relation to accounting provisions, tax credits, fixed assets, and tax deductible goodwill.
The Group incurred losses in certain jurisdictions in the current year. Deferred tax assets of £10.5 million have been recognised in these jurisdictions.
In addition the Group has recognised the following gross deferred tax liabilities and movements thereon in 2010 and 2009:
| Brands and other intangibles £m |
Associate earnings £m |
Goodwill £m |
Other short-term temporary differences £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 January 2009 | 811.2 | 21.1 | 81.9 | 6.0 | 920.2 |
| New acquisitions | 2.8 | – | – | – | 2.8 |
| 1 Prior year acquisitions |
1.6 | – | (20.7) | (1.4) | (20.5) |
| (Credit)/charge to income | (55.9) | 0.1 | 18.6 | (3.9) | (41.1) |
| Charge to equity | – | – | – | 9.8 | 9.8 |
| Exchange adjustments | (47.8) | (1.0) | (5.0) | 0.3 | (53.5) |
| 31 December 2009 | 711.9 | 20.2 | 74.8 | 10.8 | 817.7 |
| New acquisitions | 9.4 | – | – | – | 9.4 |
| (Credit)/charge to income | (52.5) | 0.3 | 14.9 | (2.2) | (39.5) |
| Exchange adjustments | 19.3 | 0.7 | 2.7 | – | 22.7 |
| Transfer to current tax | – | – | – | (1.1) | (1.1) |
| 31 December 2010 | 688.1 | 21.2 | 92.4 | 7.5 | 809.2 |
Note 1
Adjustments made in the year ended 31 December 2009 in relation to deferred tax liabilities that had been provisionally estimated in the year ended 31 December 2008 for acquisitions completed in that year.
At the balance sheet date, the Group has gross tax losses and other temporary differences of £5,212.9 million (2009: £4,888.3 million) available for offset against future profits. Deferred tax assets have been recognised in respect of the tax benefit of £377.9 million (2009: £220.2 million) of such tax losses and other temporary differences. No deferred tax asset has been recognised in respect of the remaining £4,834.9 million (2009: £4,668.1 million) of losses and other temporary differences as the Group considers that there will not be enough taxable profits in the entities concerned such that any additional asset could be considered recoverable. Included in the total unrecognised temporary differences are losses of £30.9 million that will expire by 2019, £98.8 million that will expire by 2021, £235.6 million that will expire by 2023 and an additional £78.5 million that will expire by 2029. £3,118.7 million of losses may be carried forward indefinitely.
At the balance sheet date, the aggregate amount of the temporary differences in relation to the investment in subsidiaries for which deferred tax liabilities have not been recognised was £11,462.1 million (2009: £13,940.2 million). No liability has been recognised in respect of these differences because the Group is in a position to control the timing of the reversal of the temporary differences and the Group considers that it is probable that such differences will not reverse in the foreseeable future.
The following are included in the net book value of inventory and work in progress:
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | |
| Work in progress | 362.6 | 304.1 |
| Inventory | 3.4 | 2.6 |
| 366.0 | 306.7 | |
Amounts falling due within one year:
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Trade receivables | 6,280.6 | 5,301.1 |
| VAT and sales taxes recoverable | 72.1 | 81.6 |
| Prepayments and accrued income | 1,620.5 | 1,427.7 |
| Other debtors | 870.2 | 738.5 |
| 8,843.4 | 7,548.9 |
The ageing of our trade receivables and other financial assets is as follows:
| 2010 | Past due but not impaired | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carrying amount at 31 December 2010 £m |
Neither past due nor impaired £m |
0-30 days £m |
31-90 days £m |
91-180 days £m |
181 days 1 year £m |
Greater than 1 year £m |
|
| Trade | |||||||
| receivables | 6,280.6 | 3,502.2 | 1,926.4 | 695.3 | 131.7 | 12.0 | 13.0 |
| Other | |||||||
| financial | |||||||
| assets | 932.0 | 673.0 | 125.4 | 66.9 | 14.5 | 8.3 | 43.9 |
| 7,212.6 | 4,175.2 | 2,051.8 | 762.2 | 146.2 | 20.3 | 56.9 | |
| 2009 | Past due but not impaired | ||||||
| Carrying | Neither | ||||||
| amount at 31 | past due | 181 | Greater | ||||
| December | nor | 0-30 | 31-90 | 91-180 | days | than 1 | |
| 2009 | impaired | days | days | days | 1 year | year | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Trade | |||||||
| receivables | 5,301.1 | 3,279.1 | 1,475.5 | 413.8 | 114.1 | 8.4 | 10.2 |
| Other financial |
|||||||
| assets | 781.8 | 529.7 | 133.1 | 26.8 | 25.4 | 21.9 | 44.9 |
| 6,082.9 | 3,808.8 | 1,608.6 | 440.6 | 139.5 | 30.3 | 55.1 |
Other financial assets are included in other debtors.
Past due amounts are not impaired where collection is considered likely.
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
|---|---|
| Prepayments and accrued income 5.6 |
5.8 |
| Other debtors 123.2 |
92.2 |
| Fair value of derivatives 194.7 |
188.1 |
| 323.5 | 286.1 |
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
2008 £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Balance at beginning of year | 109.9 | 124.4 | 69.9 |
| New acquisitions | 2.0 | 0.7 | 19.7 |
| Charged to operating costs | 27.8 | 31.7 | 30.8 |
| Exchange adjustments | 2.2 | (8.5) | 21.3 |
| Utilisations and other movements | (27.3) | (38.4) | (17.3) |
| Balance at end of year | 114.6 | 109.9 | 124.4 |
The allowance for bad and doubtful debts is equivalent to 1.8% (2009: 2.0%; 2008: 2.1%) of gross trade accounts receivable.
The Group considers that the carrying amount of trade and other receivables approximates their fair value.
The following are included in trade and other payables falling due within one year:
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | |
| Trade payables | 7,701.1 | 6,432.7 |
| Other taxation and social security | 385.4 | 377.3 |
| Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements) | 207.4 | 121.6 |
| Liabilities in respect of put option agreements with | ||
| vendors | 136.9 | 108.3 |
| Other creditors and accruals | 2,196.9 | 1,823.2 |
| Deferred income | 1,075.9 | 910.9 |
| 11,703.6 | 9,774.0 |
The Group considers that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates their fair value.
The following are included in trade and other payables falling due after more than one year:
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Payments due to vendors (earnout agreements) | 67.9 | 140.6 |
| Liabilities in respect of put option agreements with vendors | 34.1 | 59.9 |
| Fair value of derivatives | 129.4 | 83.6 |
| Other creditors and accruals | 157.2 | 139.2 |
| 388.6 | 423.3 |
The Group considers that the carrying amount of trade and other payables approximates their fair value.
The following tables set out payments due to vendors, comprising deferred consideration and the directors' best estimates of future earnout-related obligations:
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
|---|---|
| Within one year 207.4 |
121.6 |
| Between one and two years 39.6 |
93.6 |
| Between two and three years 12.1 |
39.5 |
| Between three and four years 4.3 |
5.1 |
| Between four and five years 4.1 |
2.4 |
| Over five years 7.8 |
– |
| 275.3 | 262.2 | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | ||
| £m | ||
| 1 January 2010 | 262.2 | |
| Earnouts paid | (113.3) | |
| 1 Revised estimates |
82.0 | |
| New acquisitions (note 28) | 32.8 | |
| Exchange adjustments | 11.6 | |
| 31 December 2010 | 275.3 | |
Note
Revised estimates relate to acquisitions that were completed prior to 1 January 2010 and were recorded in the consolidated balance sheet within goodwill. 1
The potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that could be required under the earnout agreements for acquisitions completed in 2010 and for all earnout agreements at 31 December 2010 ranges from £nil million to £110.9 million and £nil million to £916.2 million, respectively.
Amounts falling due within one year:
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | |
| Bank overdrafts | 255.4 | 720.7 |
The Group considers that the carrying amount of overdrafts and short-term borrowings approximates their fair value.
Amounts falling due after more than 1 year:
| 2010 | 2009 |
|---|---|
| £m | £m |
| Corporate bonds and bank loans 3,598.2 |
3,586.4 |
The Group estimates that the fair value of convertible and corporate bonds is £4,034.1 million at 31 December 2010 (2009: £3,676.4 million). The Group considers that the carrying amount of bank loans approximates their fair value.
The corporate bonds, convertible bonds, bank loans and overdrafts included within liabilities fall due for repayment as follows:
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Within one year | 255.4 | 720.7 |
| Between one and two years | 94.2 | – |
| Between two and three years | 539.4 | 75.7 |
| Between three and four years | 1,249.1 | 554.5 |
| Between four and five years | 448.2 | 1,219.3 |
| Over five years | 1,267.3 | 1,736.9 |
| 3,853.6 | 4,307.1 |
The movements in 2010 and 2009 were as follows:
| Property | Other | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| 1 January 2009 | 66.6 | 69.3 | 135.9 |
| Charged to the income statement | 11.2 | 8.5 | 19.7 |
| New acquisitions | 0.1 | – | 0.1 |
| 1 Prior year acquisitions |
– | 10.5 | 10.5 |
| Utilised | (5.6) | (15.3) | (20.9) |
| Released to the income statement | (1.6) | (1.6) | (3.2) |
| Transfers | (1.9) | 21.4 | 19.5 |
| Exchange adjustments | (3.1) | (5.6) | (8.7) |
| 31 December 2009 | 65.7 | 87.2 | 152.9 |
| Charged to the income statement | 9.1 | 16.5 | 25.6 |
| New acquisitions | – | 1.2 | 1.2 |
| Utilised | (7.0) | (10.9) | (17.9) |
| Released to the income statement | (6.6) | (3.4) | (10.0) |
| Transfers | (3.7) | 10.2 | 6.5 |
| Exchange adjustments | 0.9 | 2.4 | 3.3 |
| 31 December 2010 | 58.4 | 103.2 | 161.6 |
Note 1
Adjustments made in the year ended 31 December 2009 in relation to provisions for liabilities and charges that had been provisionally estimated in the year ended 31 December 2008 for acquisitions completed in that year.
Provisions comprise liabilities where there is uncertainty about the timing of settlement, but where a reliable estimate can be made of the amount. These include provisions for vacant space, sub-let losses and other property-related liabilities. Also included are other provisions, such as certain long-term employee benefits and legal claims, where the likelihood of settlement is considered probable.
The Company and various of its subsidiaries are, from time to time, parties to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the ordinary course of business. The directors do not anticipate that the outcome of these proceedings and claims will have a material adverse effect on the Group's financial position or on the results of its operations.
Charges for share-based incentive plans were as follows:
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
2008 £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Share-based payments | 70.4 | 54.9 | 62.3 |
Share-based payments comprise charges for stock options and restricted stock awards to employees of the Group.
As of 31 December 2010, there was £108.7 million (2009: £79.3 million) of total unrecognised compensation cost related to the Group's restricted stock plans. That cost is expected to be recognised over a period of one to two years.
Further information on stock options is provided in note 26.
The Group operates a number of equity-settled share incentive schemes, in most cases satisfied by the delivery of stock from one of the Group's ESOP Trusts. The most significant current schemes are as follows:
Renewed Leadership Equity Acquisition Plan (Renewed LEAP) and Leadership Equity Acquisition Plan III (LEAP III)
Under Renewed LEAP and LEAP III, the most senior executives of the Group, including certain executive directors, commit WPP shares ('investment shares') in order to have the opportunity to earn additional WPP shares ('matching shares'). The number of matching shares which a participant can receive at the end of the fixed performance period of five years is dependent on the performance (based on the Total Share Owner Return (TSR)) of the Company over that period against a comparator group of other listed communications services companies. The maximum possible number of matching shares for each of the 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 and 2006 grants is five shares for each investment share. The 2006 Renewed LEAP plan vested in March 2011 at a match of 4.14 shares for each investment share.
Grants of stock under PSA are dependent upon annual performance targets, typically based on one or more of: operating profit, profit before taxation and operating margin. Grants are made in the year following the year of performance measurement, and vest two years after grant date provided the individual concerned is continually employed by the Group throughout this time.
Stock option grants under the executive stock option plan were not significant in 2010, 2009 or 2008 as the Group made grants of restricted stock (to be satisfied by stock from one of the Group's ESOP Trusts) to participants instead. Performance conditions include continued employment over the three-year vesting period.
For all of these schemes, the valuation methodology is based upon fair value on grant date, which is determined by the market price on that date or the application of a Black-Scholes model, depending upon the characteristics of the scheme concerned. The assumptions underlying the Black-Scholes model are detailed in note 26, including details of assumed dividend yields. Market price on any given day is obtained from external, publicly available sources.
Most share-based plans are subject to non-market performance conditions, such as margin or growth targets, as well as continued employment. The Renewed LEAP and LEAP III schemes are subject to a number of performance conditions, including TSR, a market-based condition.
For schemes without market-based performance conditions, the valuation methodology above is applied and, at each year end, the relevant accrual for each grant is revised, if appropriate, to take account of any changes in estimate of the likely number of shares expected to vest.
For schemes with market-based performance conditions, the probability of satisfying these conditions is assessed at grant date through a statistical model (such as the Monte Carlo Model) and applied to the fair value. This initial valuation remains fixed throughout the life of the relevant plan, irrespective of the actual outcome in terms of performance. Where a lapse occurs due to cessation of employment, the cumulative charge taken to date is reversed.
Movement on ordinary shares granted for significant restricted stock plans
| Non vested 1 January 2010 number |
Granted number |
Lapsed number |
Vested number |
Non-vested 31 December 2010 number |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| m | m | m | m | m | |
| 1 Renewed LEAP/LEAP III |
3.6 | 2.0 | – | (1.7) | 3.9 |
| Performance Share Awards (PSA) | 8.4 | 0.9 | (0.5) | (3.7) | 5.1 |
| Leaders, Partners and High Potential Group | 12.6 | 3.8 | (1.1) | (2.5) | 12.8 |
| Weighted average fair value (pence per share): |
|||||
| 1 Renewed LEAP/LEAP III |
563p | 668p | 540p | 618p | 593p |
Note Performance Share Awards (PSA) 486p 566p 451p 559p 451p Leaders, Partners and High Potential Group 501p 702p 487p 619p 538p
The number of shares granted represents the 'investment shares' committed by participants at grant date for the 2010 LEAP III plan in addition to the matched shares awarded on vest date for the 2005 Renewed LEAP plan which vested in March 2010. The actual number of shares that vest for each Renewed LEAP/LEAP III plan is dependent on the extent to which the relevant performance criteria are satisfied. 1
The total fair value of shares vested for all the Group's restricted stock plans during the year ended 31 December 2010 was £61.8 million (2009: £55.0 million, 2008: £58.6 million).
Companies within the Group operate a large number of pension plans, the forms and benefits of which vary with conditions and practices in the countries concerned. The Group's pension costs are analysed as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Defined contribution plans | 101.5 | 95.5 | 79.7 |
| Defined benefit plans charge to operating profit | 19.1 | 20.9 | 18.6 |
| Pension costs (note 5) | 120.6 | 116.4 | 98.3 |
| Expected return on pension plan assets (note 6) | (30.6) | (28.7) | (31.3) |
| Interest on pension plan liabilities (note 6) | 45.9 | 46.1 | 38.9 |
| 135.9 | 133.8 | 105.9 |
The pension costs are assessed in accordance with the advice of local independent qualified actuaries. The latest full actuarial valuations for the various pension plans were carried out at various dates in the last three years. These valuations have generally been updated by the local independent qualified actuaries to 31 December 2010.
The Group has a policy of closing defined benefit plans to new members. This has been implemented across a significant number of the pension plans.
Contributions to funded plans are determined in line with local conditions and practices. Contributions in respect of unfunded plans are paid as they fall due. The total contributions (for funded plans) and benefit payments (for unfunded plans) paid for 2010 amounted to £53.3 million (2009: £47.7 million, 2008: £44.2 million). Employer contributions and benefit payments in 2011 are expected to be in the range of £40 million to £60 million depending on the performance of the assets.
The main weighted average assumptions used for the actuarial valuations at 31 December are shown in the following table:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| % pa | % pa | % pa | % pa | |
| UK | ||||
| Discount rate | 5.4 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 5.8 |
| Rate of increase in salaries | 3.4 | 3.5 | 3.0 | 4.8 |
| Rate of increase in pensions in payment | 4.0 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.1 |
| Inflation | 3.2 | 3.5 | 2.8 | 3.3 |
| Expected rate of return on equities | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7.3 | 7.3 |
| 1 Expected rate of return on bonds |
4.5 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 5.3 |
| Expected rate of return on insured annuities | 5.4 | 5.7 | 6.0 | 5.8 |
| Expected rate of return on property | 6.9 | 6.9 | 6.9 | 5.0 |
| Expected rate of return on cash and other | 4.0 | 4.4 | 4.9 | 4.8 |
| Weighted average return on assets | 5.4 | 5.6 | 5.7 | 5.8 |
| North America | ||||
| Discount rate | 5.1 | 5.7 | 6.3 | 6.1 |
| Rate of increase in salaries | 3.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 4.6 |
| Inflation | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 | 2.5 |
| Expected rate of return on equities | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 | 7.9 |
| 1 Expected rate of return on bonds |
4.3 | 4.7 | 5.1 | 5.1 |
| Expected rate of return on cash and other | 6.4 | 6.6 | 3.4 | 3.0 |
| Weighted average return on assets | 6.4 | 6.5 | 6.6 | 6.7 |
| Western Continental Europe | ||||
| Discount rate | 5.3 | 5.5 | 5.7 | 5.5 |
| Rate of increase in salaries | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.8 | 2.9 |
| Rate of increase in pensions in payment | 2.0 | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| Inflation | 2.0 | 2.1 | 2.1 | 2.2 |
| Expected rate of return on equities | 7.1 | 7.8 | 7.2 | 7.2 |
| 1 Expected rate of return on bonds |
4.4 | 4.1 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Expected rate of return on property | 6.1 | 6.5 | 6.0 | 5.5 |
| Expected rate of return on cash and other | 4.6 | 4.6 | 5.3 | 4.3 |
| Weighted average return on assets | 5.0 | 5.1 | 5.3 | 5.3 |
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | |
| % pa | % pa | % pa | % pa | |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe | ||||
| Discount rate | 4.0 | 4.2 | 3.4 | 3.9 |
| Rate of increase in salaries | 4.4 | 4.2 | 3.9 | 4.0 |
| Inflation | 5.1 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.6 |
| Expected rate of return on equities | 10.0 | 10.1 | 10.0 | 10.0 |
| 1 Expected rate of return on bonds |
8.0 | 8.2 | 5.3 | 6.2 |
| Expected rate of return on cash and other | 1.0 | 1.1 | 2.1 | 1.6 |
| Weighted average return on assets | 3.4 | 3.6 | 3.1 | 3.7 |
Note
Expected rate of return on bonds assumptions reflect the yield expected on actual bonds held, whereas the discount rate assumptions are based on highquality corporate bond yields. 1
There are a number of areas in pension accounting that involve judgments made by management. These include establishing the long-term expected rates of investment return on pension assets, mortality assumptions, discount rates, inflation, rate of increase in pensions in payment and salary increases.
For the Group's pension plans, the plans' assets are invested with the objective of being able to meet current and future benefit payment needs, while controlling balance sheet volatility and future contributions. Pension plan assets are invested with a number of investment managers, and assets are diversified among equities, bonds, insured annuities, property and cash or other liquid investments. The primary use of bonds as an investment class is to match the anticipated cash flows from the plans to pay pensions. Various insurance policies have also been bought historically to provide a more exact match for the cash flows, including a match for the actual mortality of specific plan members. These insurance policies effectively provide protection against both investment fluctuations and longevity risks. The strategic target allocation varies among the individual plans.
Management considers the types of investment classes in which the pension plan assets are invested and the expected compound return that can reasonably be expected for the portfolio to earn over time, which reflects forward-looking economic assumptions. Management reviews the expected long-term rates of return on an annual basis and revises them as appropriate.
Also, management periodically commission detailed asset and liability studies performed by third-party professional investment advisors and actuaries, which generate probability-adjusted expected future returns on those assets. These studies also project the estimated future pension payments and evaluate the efficiency of the allocation of the pension plan assets into various investment categories. The studies performed at the time these assumptions were set support the reasonableness of the return assumptions based on the target allocation of investment classes and the then current market conditions.
At 31 December 2010, the life expectancies underlying the value of the accrued liabilities for the main defined benefit pension plans operated by the Group were as follows:
| Western | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conti | |||||
| Years life expectancy | All | North | nental | Asia | |
| after age 65 | plans | America | UK | Europe | 1 Pacific |
| – current pensioners – male | 20.7 | 19.7 | 22.4 | 20.0 | 19.3 |
| – current pensioners – female | 22.7 | 21.6 | 23.8 | 23.3 | 24.7 |
| – future pensioners (current age 45) – male | 22.3 | 21.2 | 23.6 | 22.5 | 19.3 |
| – future pensioners (current age 45) – female | 23.9 | 22.5 | 25.0 | 25.2 | 24.9 |
F-29
Note
Includes Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe. 1
The life expectancies after age 65 at 31 December 2009 were 20.5 years and 22.5 years for male and female current pensioners respectively, and 21.9 years and 23.7 years for male and female future pensioners (current age 45), respectively.
In the determination of mortality assumptions, management uses the most up-to-date mortality tables available in each country.
For a 0.25% increase or decrease in the discount rate at 31 December 2010, the effect on the year-end 2010 pension deficit would be a decrease or increase, respectively, of approximately £26 million.
At 31 December, the fair value of the assets in the pension plans, and the assessed present value of the liabilities in the pension plans are shown in the following table:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £m | % | £m | % | £m | % | |
| Equities | 188.2 | 29.8 | 168.5 | 28.6 | 162.6 | 29.6 |
| Bonds | 245.7 | 38.9 | 256.8 | 43.7 | 245.1 | 44.5 |
| Insured annuities | 66.3 | 10.5 | 68.7 | 11.7 | 64.9 | 11.8 |
| Property | 9.6 | 1.5 | 9.8 | 1.7 | 12.6 | 2.3 |
| Cash and other | 121.5 | 19.3 | 84.3 | 14.3 | 65.2 | 11.8 |
| Total fair value of assets | 631.3 | 100.0 | 588.1 | 100.0 | 550.4 | 100.0 |
| Present value of liabilities | (871.2) | (836.1) | (819.1) | |||
| Deficit in the plans | (239.9) | (248.0) | (268.7) | |||
| Irrecoverable surplus | (0.9) | (3.1) | (2.4) | |||
| Unrecognised past service cost | (0.7) | (0.7) | (0.9) | |||
| 1 Net liability |
(241.5) | (251.8) | (272.0) | |||
| Plans in surplus | 2.8 | 0.7 | 0.4 | |||
| Plans in deficit | (244.3) | (252.5) | (272.4) |
Note
The related deferred tax asset is discussed in note 15. 1
The total fair value of assets, present value of pension plan liabilities and deficit in the plans were £504.0 million, £637.6 million and £133.6 million in 2007 and £470.4 million, £657.0 million and £186.6 million in 2006, respectively.
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deficit in plans by region | £m | £m | £m |
| UK | (3.5) | (22.0) | (24.8) |
| North America | (144.4) | (140.9) | (153.4) |
| Western Continental Europe | (75.9) | (73.9) | (80.0) |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & Eastern Europe | (16.1) | (11.2) | (10.5) |
| Deficit in the plans | (239.9) | (248.0) | (268.7) |
Some of the Group's defined benefit plans are unfunded (or largely unfunded) by common custom and practice in certain jurisdictions. In the case of these unfunded plans, the benefit payments are made as and when they fall due. Pre-funding of these plans would not be typical business practice.
The following table shows the split of the deficit at 31 December 2010, 2009 and 2008 between funded and unfunded pension plans.
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Present | Present | Present | ||||
| 2010 | value of | 2009 | value of | 2008 | value of | |
| Deficit | liabilities | Deficit | liabilities | Deficit | liabilities | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Funded plans by region | ||||||
| UK | (3.5) | (305.5) | (22.0) | (293.5) | (24.8) | (269.5) |
| North America | (66.8) | (306.5) | (65.2) | (274.5) | (71.0) | (266.8) |
| Western Continental Europe | (29.7) | (103.8) | (25.0) | (119.9) | (30.1) | (126.5) |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & | ||||||
| Eastern Europe | (5.6) | (21.1) | (3.7) | (16.1) | (3.3) | (16.8) |
| Deficit/liabilities in the funded plans | (105.6) | (736.9) | (115.9) | (704.0) | (129.2) | (679.6) |
| Unfunded plans by region | ||||||
| UK | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| North America | (77.6) | (77.6) | (75.7) | (75.7) | (82.4) | (82.4) |
| Western Continental Europe | (46.2) | (46.2) | (48.9) | (48.9) | (49.9) | (49.9) |
| Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa & Middle East and Central & | ||||||
| Eastern Europe | (10.5) | (10.5) | (7.5) | (7.5) | (7.2) | (7.2) |
| Deficit/liabilities in the unfunded plans | (134.3) | (134.3) | (132.1) | (132.1) | (139.5) | (139.5) |
| Deficit/liabilities in the plans | (239.9) | (871.2) | (248.0) | (836.1) | (268.7) | (819.1) |
In accordance with IAS 19, plans that are wholly or partially funded are considered funded plans.
The following table shows the breakdown of the pension expense between amounts charged to operating profit, amounts charged to finance income and finance costs and amounts recognised in the statement of comprehensive income (OCI):
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Current service cost | 23.3 | 22.0 | 16.7 |
| Past service (income)/cost | (0.6) | – | 2.5 |
| Gain on settlements and curtailments | (3.6) | (1.1) | (0.6) |
| Charge to operating profit | 19.1 | 20.9 | 18.6 |
| Expected return on pension plan assets | (30.6) | (28.7) | (31.3) |
| Interest on pension plan liabilities | 45.9 | 46.1 | 38.9 |
| Charge to profit before taxation for defined benefit plans | 34.4 | 38.3 | 26.2 |
| Gain/(loss) on pension plan assets relative to expected return | 31.9 | 44.0 | (93.7) |
| Experience gain/(loss) arising on the plan liabilities | 3.4 | (7.6) | 4.4 |
| Changes in assumptions underlying the present value of the plan liabilities | (37.9) | (42.7) | 8.0 |
| Change in irrecoverable surplus | 2.2 | (0.9) | (0.9) |
| Actuarial loss recognised in OCI | (0.4) | (7.2) | (82.2) |
As at 31 December 2010 the cumulative amount of net actuarial losses recognised in equity since 1 January 2001 was £180.7 million (31 December 2009: £180.3 million, 31 December 2008: £173.1 million). Of this amount, a net loss of £79.6 million was recognised since the 1 January 2004 adoption of IAS 19.
The following table shows an analysis of the movement in the pension plan liabilities for each accounting period:
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
2008 £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan liabilities at beginning of year | 836.1 | 819.1 | 637.6 |
| Service cost | 23.3 | 22.0 | 16.7 |
| Interest cost | 45.9 | 46.1 | 38.9 |
| Actuarial loss/(gain) | 34.5 | 50.3 | (12.4) |
| Benefits paid | (57.2) | (52.9) | (40.7) |
| Loss/(gain) due to exchange rate movements | 9.7 | (50.5) | 133.8 |
| Net (disposals)/acquisitions | – | (0.9) | 44.3 |
| Settlements and curtailments | (26.4) | (3.3) | (6.1) |
| 1 Other |
5.3 | 6.2 | 7.0 |
| Plan liabilities at end of year | 871.2 | 836.1 | 819.1 |
Note 1
Other includes plan participants' contributions, plan amendments and reclassifications. In the 2009 and 2008 financial statements these were presented as separate line items. The reclassifications represent certain of the Group's defined benefit plans which are included in this note for the first time in the periods presented.
The following table shows an analysis of the movement in the pension plan assets for each accounting period:
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
2008 £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year | 588.1 | 550.4 | 504.0 |
| Expected return on plan assets | 30.6 | 28.7 | 31.3 |
| Actuarial gain/(loss) on plan assets | 31.9 | 44.0 | (93.7) |
| Employer contributions | 53.3 | 47.7 | 44.2 |
| Benefits paid | (57.2) | (52.9) | (40.7) |
| Gain/(loss) due to exchange rate movements | 5.9 | (28.3) | 79.0 |
| Net (disposals)/acquisitions | – | (0.9) | 29.4 |
| Settlements | (22.8) | (2.2) | (5.5) |
| 1 Other |
1.5 | 1.6 | 2.4 |
| Fair value of plan assets at end of year | 631.3 | 588.1 | 550.4 |
| Actual return on plan assets | 62.5 | 72.7 | (62.4) |
Other includes plan participants' contributions and reclassifications. In the 2009 and 2008 financial statements these were presented as separate line items. 1
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
2008 £m |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gain/(loss) on pension plan assets relative to expected return: | ||||
| Amount | 31.9 | 44.0 | (93.7) | |
| Percentage of plan assets | 5.1% | 7.5% | (17.0%) | |
| Experience gain/(loss) arising on the plan liabilities: |
| Amount | 3.4 | (7.6) | 4.4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of the present value of the plan liabilities | 0.4% | (0.9%) | 0.5% |
| Total loss recognised in OCI: | |||
| Amount | (0.4) | (7.2) | (82.2) |
| Percentage of the present value of the plan liabilities | (0.0%) | (0.9%) | (10.0%) |
The experience (loss)/gain on pension plan assets and plan liabilities were (£6.0) million and £0.1 million in 2007 and £9.3 million and £3.5 million in 2006, respectively.
The Group's results in pounds sterling are subject to fluctuation as a result of exchange rate movements. The Group does not hedge this translation exposure to its earnings but does hedge the currency element of its net assets using foreign currency borrowings, cross-currency swaps and forward foreign exchange contracts.
The Group effects these currency net asset hedges by borrowing in the same currencies as the operating (or 'functional') currencies of its main operating units. The majority of the Group's debt is therefore denominated in US dollars, pounds sterling and euros. Borrowings in these currencies represented 96.0% of the Group's gross indebtedness at 31 December 2010 (at \$1,640 million, £1,350 million and €1,274 million) and 96.8% of the Group's average gross debt during the course of 2010 (at \$2,003 million, £1,653 million and €1,274 million).
The Group's operations conduct the majority of their activities in their own local currency and consequently the Group has no significant transactional foreign exchange exposures. Any significant cross-border trading exposures are hedged by the use of forward foreign-exchange contracts. No speculative foreign exchange trading is undertaken.
The Group is exposed to interest rate risk on both interest-bearing assets and interest-bearing liabilities. The Group has a policy of actively managing its interest rate risk exposure while recognising that fixing rates on all its debt eliminates the possibility of benefiting from rate reductions and similarly, having all its debt at floating rates unduly exposes the Group to increases in rates.
Including the effect of interest rate and cross-currency swaps, 82.5% of the year-end US dollar debt is at fixed rates averaging 6.54% for an average period of 44 months; 73.3% of the sterling debt is at a fixed rate of 6.07% for an average period of 83 months; and 66.7% of the euro debt is at fixed rates averaging 6.50% for an average period of 63 months.
Other than fixed rate debt, the Group's other fixed rates are achieved principally through interest rate swaps with the Group's bankers. The Group also uses forward rate agreements and interest rate caps to manage exposure to interest rate changes. At 31 December 2010 no forward rate agreements or interest rate caps were in place. These interest rate derivatives are used only to hedge exposures to interest rate movements arising from the Group's borrowings and surplus cash balances arising from its commercial activities and are not traded independently. Payments made under these instruments are accounted for on an accruals basis.
In considering going concern and liquidity risk, the directors have reviewed the Group's future cash requirements and earnings projections. The directors believe these forecasts have been prepared on a prudent basis and have also considered the impact of a range of potential changes to trading performance to factor in an uncertain economic environment. The directors have concluded that the Group should be able to operate within its current facilities and comply with its banking covenants for the foreseeable future and therefore believe it is appropriate to prepare the financial statements of the Group on a going concern basis.
At 31 December 2010, the Group has access to £4.7 billion of committed funding and bank facilities with maturity dates spread over the years 2011 to 2020 as illustrated below:
| £m | 2011 £m |
2012 £m |
2013 £m |
2014 £m |
2015 £m |
2016 £m |
2017 £m |
2018+ £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ bonds £200m | |||||||||
| (6.375% '20) | 200.0 | 200.0 | |||||||
| £ bonds £400m | |||||||||
| (6.0% '17) | 400.0 | 400.0 | |||||||
| Eurobonds | |||||||||
| €750m | |||||||||
| (6.625%'16) | 642.9 | 642.9 | |||||||
| Eurobonds | |||||||||
| €500m | |||||||||
| (5.25%'15) | 428.6 | 428.6 | |||||||
| £450m convertible bonds | |||||||||
| (5.75%'14) | 450.0 | 450.0 | |||||||
| US bonds | |||||||||
| \$650m | |||||||||
| (5.875%'14) | 416.9 | 416.9 | |||||||
| US bonds | |||||||||
| \$600m | |||||||||
| (8.0%'14) | 384.8 | 384.8 | |||||||
| Eurobonds | |||||||||
| €600m | |||||||||
| (4.375%'13) | 514.4 | 514.4 | |||||||
| Bank revolver \$1,600m | 1,026.2 | 1,026.2 | |||||||
| TNS acquisition revolver £200m | 200.0 | 200.0 | |||||||
| TNS private placements \$55m | 35.3 | 19.2 | 16.1 | ||||||
| Total committed facilities available | 4,699.1 | 200.0 | 1,045.4 | 514.4 | 1,267.8 | 428.6 | 642.9 | 400.0 | 200.0 |
| Drawn down facilities at 31 December 2010 | 3,554.0 | – | 100.3 | 514.4 | 1,267.8 | 428.6 | 642.9 | 400.0 | 200.0 |
| Undrawn committed facilities | 1,145.1 | ||||||||
| Drawn down facilities at 31 December 2010 | 3,554.0 | ||||||||
| Net cash at 31 December 2010 | (1,709.8) | ||||||||
| Other adjustments | 44.2 | ||||||||
| Net debt at 31 December 2010 | 1,888.4 |
The Group's borrowings are evenly distributed between fixed and floating rate debt. Given the strong cash generation of the business, its debt maturity profile and available facilities, the directors believe the Group has sufficient liquidity to match its requirements for the foreseeable future.
Treasury activity is managed centrally from London, New York and Hong Kong, and is principally concerned with the monitoring of working capital, managing external and internal funding requirements and the monitoring and management of financial market risks, in particular interest rate and foreign exchange exposures.
The treasury operation is not a profit centre and its activities are carried out in accordance with policies approved by the Board of Directors and subject to regular review and audit.
The Group manages liquidity risk by ensuring continuity and flexibility of funding even in difficult market conditions. Undrawn committed borrowing facilities are maintained in excess of peak net-borrowing levels and debt maturities are closely monitored. Targets for debt and cash position are set on an annual basis and, to assist in meeting this, working capital targets are set for all the Group's major operations.
The Group manages its capital to ensure that entities in the Group will be able to continue as a going concern while maximising the return to stakeholders through the optimisation of the debt and equity balance. The capital structure of the Group consists of debt, which includes the borrowings disclosed in note 10, cash and cash equivalents and equity attributable to equity holders of the parent, comprising issued capital, reserves and retained earnings as disclosed in the consolidated statement of changes in equity and in notes 26 and 27.
The Group's principal financial assets are cash and short-term deposits, trade and other receivables and investments, the carrying values of which represent the Group's maximum exposure to credit risk in relation to financial assets, as shown in note 25.
The Group's credit risk is primarily attributable to its trade receivables. The majority of the Group's trade receivables are due from large national or multinational companies where the risk of default is considered low. The amounts presented in the consolidated balance sheet are net of allowances for doubtful receivables, estimated by the Group's management based on prior experience and their assessment of the current economic environment. A relatively small number of clients make up a significant percentage of the Group's debtors, but no single client represents more than 5% of total trade receivables as at 31 December 2010.
The credit risk on liquid funds and derivative financial instruments is limited because the counterparties are banks with high credit-ratings assigned by
international credit-rating agencies or banks that have been financed by their government.
A relatively small number of clients contribute a significant percentage of the Group's consolidated revenues. The Group's clients generally are able to reduce advertising and marketing spending or cancel projects at any time for any reason. There can be no assurance that any of the Group's clients will continue to utilise the Group's services to the same extent, or at all, in the future. A significant reduction in advertising and marketing spending by, or the loss of one or more of, the Group's largest clients, if not replaced by new client accounts or an increase in business from existing clients, would adversely affect the Group's prospects, business, financial condition and results of operations.
The following sensitivity analysis addresses the effect of currency and interest rate risks on the Group's financial instruments. The analysis assumes that all hedges are highly effective.
A 10% weakening of sterling against the Group's major currencies would result in the following losses, which would be posted directly to equity. These losses would arise on the retranslation of foreign currency denominated borrowings and derivatives designated as effective net investment hedges of overseas net assets. These losses would be partially offset in equity by a corresponding gain arising on the retranslation of the related hedged foreign currency net assets. A 10% strengthening of sterling would have an equal and opposite effect. There are no other material foreign exchange exposures which would create gains or losses to the functional reporting currencies of individual entities in the Group.
| 2010 | 2009 | |
|---|---|---|
| £m | £m | |
| US dollar | 91.0 | 87.9 |
| Euro | 73.7 | 76.3 |
A one percentage point increase in market interest rates for all currencies in which the Group had cash and borrowings at 31 December 2010 would increase profit before tax by approximately £8.0 million (2009: decrease of £2.4 million). A one percentage decrease in market interest rates would have an equal and opposite effect. This has been calculated by applying the interest rate change to the Group's variable rate cash and borrowings.
The Group utilises currency derivatives to hedge significant future transactions and cash flows and the exchange risk arising on translation of the Group's investments in foreign operations. The Group is a party to a variety of foreign currency derivatives in the management of its exchange rate exposures. The instruments purchased are primarily denominated in the currencies of the Group's principal markets.
At 31 December 2010, the fair value of the Group's currency derivatives is estimated to be a net liability of approximately £62.9 million (2009: £3.1 million). These amounts are based on market values of equivalent instruments at the balance sheet date, comprising £60.4 million (2009: £79.6 million) assets included in trade and other receivables and £123.3 million (2009: £82.7 million) liabilities included in trade and other payables. The amounts charged to and deferred in equity during the year for currency derivatives that are designated and effective hedges were £27.9 million (2009: £111.1 million) for net investment hedges and £34.8 million (2009: £60.5 million) for cash flow hedges.
Changes in the fair value relating to the ineffective portion of the currency derivatives amounted to a gain of £11.7 million (2009: £3.3 million, 2008: £2.7 million) which is included in the revaluation of financial instruments for the year. This gain resulted from a £59.3 million loss on hedging instruments and a £71.0 million gain on hedged items.
The Group currently designates its foreign currency-denominated debt and cross-currency swaps as hedging instruments against the currency risk associated with the translation of its foreign operations.
At the balance sheet date, the total nominal amount of outstanding forward foreign exchange contracts not designated as hedges was £130.1 million (2009: £309.4 million). The Group estimates the fair value of these contracts to be a net liability of £0.8 million (2009: asset of £4.6 million).
These arrangements are designed to address significant exchange exposure and are renewed on a revolving basis as required.
The Group uses interest rate swaps as hedging instruments in fair value hedges to manage its exposure to interest rate movements on its borrowings. Contracts with nominal values of €600 million have fixed interest receipts at 4.38% up until December 2013 and have floating interest payments averaging EURIBOR plus 0.56%. Contracts with a nominal value of €500 million have fixed interest receipts of 5.25% up until January 2015 and have floating interest payments averaging EURIBOR plus 0.80%. Contracts with a nominal value of €100 million have fixed interest payments of 5.56% until June 2014 and have floating rate receipts averaging EURIBOR plus 0.96%.
Contracts with a nominal value of £200 million have fixed interest receipts of 6.00% up until April 2017 and have floating rate payments averaging LIBOR plus 0.64%.
A contract with a nominal value of \$45 million has fixed interest receipts averaging 6.29% until on average July 2013 and has floating rate payments averaging LIBOR plus 0.59%.
A contract with a nominal value of \$300 million has fixed rate payments averaging 2.58% until on average October 2020 and has floating rate receipts of LIBOR plus 0.29%.
The fair value of interest rate swaps entered into at 31 December 2010 is estimated to be a net asset of approximately £129.0 million (2009: £103.0 million). These amounts are based on market values of equivalent instruments at the balance sheet date, comprising £133.4 million (2009: £103.2 million) assets included in trade and other receivables and £4.4 million (2009: £0.2 million) liabilities included in trade and other payables. Included in these amounts are certain interest rate swaps that are not designated as hedges, comprising £26.1 million assets and £6.1 million liabilities.
Changes in the fair value relating to the ineffective portion of interest rate swaps amounted to a gain of £12.6 million (2009: gain of £11.7 million, 2008: charge of £13.0 million) which is included in the revaluation of financial instruments for the year. This gain resulted from a £14.4 million loss on hedging instruments and a £27.0 million gain on hedged items.
An analysis of the Group's financial assets and liabilities by accounting classification is set out below:
| Derivatives | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in | ||||||
| designated | Held | |||||
| hedge | for | Loans & | Available | Amortised | Carrying | |
| relationships | trading | receivables | for sale | cost | value | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| 2010 | ||||||
| Other investments | – | – | – | 173.7 | – | 173.7 |
| Cash and short-term deposits | – | – | 1,965.2 | – | – | 1,965.2 |
| Bank overdrafts and loans | – | – | – | – | (255.4) | (255.4) |
| Bonds and bank loans | – | – | – | – | (3,598.2) | (3,598.2) |
| Trade and other receivables: amounts | ||||||
| falling due within one year | – | – | 7,135.3 | – | – | 7,135.3 |
| Trade and other receivables: amounts | ||||||
| falling due after more than one year | – | – | 77.3 | – | – | 77.3 |
| Trade and other payables: amounts | ||||||
| falling due within one year | – | – | – | – | (7,769.9) | (7,769.9) |
| Trade and other payables: amounts | ||||||
| falling due after more than one year | – | – | – | – | (11.4) | (11.4) |
| Derivative assets | 168.6 | 26.1 | – | – | – | 194.7 |
| Derivative liabilities | (123.3) | (6.1) | – | – | – | (129.4) |
| Liabilities in respect of put options | – | (171.0) | – | – | – | (171.0) |
| 45.3 | (151.0) | 9,177.8 | 173.7 | (11,634.9) | (2,389.1) |
Financial instruments (continued)
Financial instruments (continued)
| Derivatives | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| in | ||||||
| designated | Held | |||||
| hedge | for | Loans & | Available | Amortised | Carrying | |
| relationships | trading | receivables | for sale | cost | value | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| 2009 | ||||||
| Other investments | – | – | – | 294.6 | – | 294.6 |
| Cash and short-term deposits | – | – | 1,666.7 | – | – | 1,666.7 |
| Bank overdrafts and loans | – | – | – | – | (720.7) | (720.7) |
| Bonds and bank loans | – | – | – | – | (3,586.4) | (3,586.4) |
| Trade and other receivables: amounts | ||||||
| falling due within one year | – | – | 6,011.3 | – | – | 6,011.3 |
| Trade and other receivables: amounts | ||||||
| falling due after more than one year | – | – | 71.6 | – | – | 71.6 |
| Trade and other payables: amounts | ||||||
| falling due within one year | – | – | – | – | (6,482.6) | (6,482.6) |
| Trade and other payables: amounts | ||||||
| falling due after more than one year | – | – | – | – | (29.2) | (29.2) |
| Derivative assets | 182.8 | 5.3 | – | – | – | 188.1 |
| Derivative liabilities | (82.9) | (0.7) | – | – | – | (83.6) |
| Liabilities in respect of put options | – | (168.2) | – | – | – | (168.2) |
| 99.9 | (163.6) | 7,749.6 | 294.6 | (10,818.9) | (2,838.4) |
The following table provides an analysis of financial instruments that are measured subsequent to initial recognition at fair value, grouped into levels 1 to 3 based on the degree to which the fair value is observable:
Level 1 fair value measurements are those derived from quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2 fair value measurements are those derived from inputs other than quoted prices included within level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly (i.e. as prices) or indirectly (i.e. derived from prices);
Level 3 fair value measurements are those derived from valuation techniques that include inputs for the asset or liability that are not based on observable market data (unobservable inputs).
| Carrying | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | value | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| 2010 | ||||
| Derivatives in designated hedge relationships | ||||
| Derivative assets | – | 168.6 | – | 168.6 |
| Derivative liabilities | – | (123.3) | – | (123.3) |
| Held for trading | ||||
| Derivative assets | – | 26.1 | – | 26.1 |
| Derivative liabilities | – | (6.1) | – | (6.1) |
| Liabilities in respect of put options | – | – | (171.0) | (171.0) |
| Available for sale | ||||
| Other investments | – | – | 173.7 | 173.7 |
| – | 65.3 | 2.7 | 68.0 | |
| Carrying | ||||
| Level 1 | Level 2 | Level 3 | value | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| 2009 | ||||
| Derivatives in designated hedge relationships | ||||
| Derivative assets | – | 182.8 | – | 182.8 |
| Derivative liabilities | – | (82.9) | – | (82.9) |
| Held for trading | ||||
| Derivative assets | – | 5.3 | – | 5.3 |
| Derivative liabilities | – | (0.7) | – | (0.7) |
| Liabilities in respect of put options | – | – | (168.2) | (168.2) |
| Available for sale | ||||
| Other investments | 18.4 | – | 276.2 | 294.6 |
| 18.4 | 104.5 | 108.0 | 230.9 |
Reconciliation of level 3 fair value measurements:
| Liabilities in | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| respect of | Other | Carrying | |
| put options | investments | value | |
| £m | £m | £m | |
| 1 January 2009 | (122.1) | 292.8 | 170.7 |
| Gains/(losses) recognised in the income statement | 15.3 | (11.1) | 4.2 |
| Losses recognised in other comprehensive income | – | (15.1) | (15.1) |
| Exchange differences | 2.5 | (26.0) | (23.5) |
| Additions | (78.3) | 53.7 | (24.6) |
| Disposals | – | (18.1) | (18.1) |
| Settlements | 14.4 | – | 14.4 |
| 31 December 2009 | (168.2) | 276.2 | 108.0 |
| Losses recognised in the income statement | (3.6) | (35.3) | (38.9) |
| Losses recognised in other comprehensive income | – | (61.3) | (61.3) |
| Exchange differences | (3.1) | (23.4) | (26.5) |
| Additions | (5.9) | 20.2 | 14.3 |
| Disposals | – | (2.7) | (2.7) |
| Settlements | 9.8 | – | 9.8 |
| 31 December 2010 | (171.0) | 173.7 | 2.7 |
The fair value of financial assets and liabilities are based on quoted market prices where available. Where the market value is not available, the Group has estimated relevant fair values on the basis of publicly available information from outside sources or on the basis of discounted cash flow models where appropriate.
| Equity ordinary shares |
Nominal value £m |
|---|---|
| Authorised | |
| 1 January 2009 1,750,000,000 |
175.0 |
| 31 December 2009 1,750,000,000 |
175.0 |
| 31 December 2010 1,750,000,000 |
175.0 |
| Issued and fully paid | |
| 1 January 2009 1,255,343,263 |
125.5 |
| Exercise of share options 1,148,051 |
0.1 |
| 31 December 2009 1,256,491,314 |
125.6 |
| Exercise of share options 7,899,907 |
0.8 |
| 31 December 2010 1,264,391,221 |
126.4 |
The Company's holdings of own shares are stated at cost and represent shares held in treasury and purchases by the Employee Share Ownership Plan ('ESOP') trusts of shares in WPP plc for the purpose of funding certain of the Group's share-based incentive plans.
The trustees of the ESOP purchase the Company's ordinary shares in the open market using funds provided by the Company. The Company also has an obligation to make regular contributions to the ESOP to enable it to meet its administrative costs. The number and market value of the ordinary shares of the Company held by the ESOP at 31 December 2010 was 22,083,378 (2009: 24,941,529), and £174.3 million (2009: £152.0 million) respectively. The number and market value of ordinary shares held in treasury at 31 December 2010 was 2,172,126 (2009: 2,435,288) and £17.1 million (2009: £14.8 million) respectively.
As at 31 December 2010, unexercised options over ordinary shares of 6,206,412 and unexercised options over ADRs of 1,700,034 have been granted under the WPP Executive Stock Option Plan as follows:
| Number of ordinary | Exercise price | |
|---|---|---|
| shares under option | per share (£) | Exercise dates |
| 12,195 | 3.414 | 2012 - 2018 |
| 21,197 | 3.763 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 42,154 | 4.210 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 502,077 | 4.210 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 22,994 | 4.210 | 2005 - 2013 |
| 3,832 | 4.210 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 19,161 | 4.210 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 3,065 | 4.210 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 3,832 | 4.210 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 77,552 | 4.438 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 6,759 | 4.438 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 51,247 | 4.615 | 2007 - 2013 |
|---|---|---|
| 22,533 | 4.865 | 2004 - 2011 |
| 345,570 | 4.865 | 2004 - 2011 |
| 2,000,000 | 5.490 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 27,288 | 5.520 | 2008 - 2014 |
| 94,777 | 5.535 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 578,542 | 5.535 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 447,676 | 5.535 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 6,124 | 5.535 | 2008 - 2014 |
| 6,124 | 5.535 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 24,390 | 5.535 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 2,469 | 5.535 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 167,935 | 5.535 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 143,400 | 5.595 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 725,343 | 5.595 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 17,194 | 5.595 | 2006 - 2014 |
| 7,853 | 5.595 | 2007 - 2013 |
| 2,680 | 5.595 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 13,572 | 5.595 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 224,473 | 5.595 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 2,902 | 5.725 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 2,419 | 5.725 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 11,423 | 5.775 | 2009 - 2015 |
| 14,826 | 5.818 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 2,964 | 5.818 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 6,705 | 5.895 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 4,470 | 5.895 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 2,235 | 5.895 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 9,834 | 5.895 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 4,268 | 5.903 | 2011 - 2018 |
| 6,402 | 5.903 | 2011 - 2018 |
| 4,268 | 5.903 | 2011 - 2018 |
| 5,959 | 6.105 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 4,914 | 6.105 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 7,876 | 6.228 | 2011 - 2017 |
| 2,140 | 6.718 | 2009 - 2016 |
| 6,420 | 6.718 | 2009 - 2016 |
| 3,913 | 6.718 | 2009 - 2016 |
| Number of ordinary shares under option |
Exercise price per share (£) |
Exercise dates |
|---|---|---|
| 69,369 | 6.718 | 2009 - 2016 |
| 45,153 | 7.180 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 24,123 | 7.550 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 20,196 | 7.550 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 34,921 | 7.550 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 201,805 | 7.550 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 3,741 | 7.550 | 2006 - 2012 |
| 11,109 | 7.723 | 2010 - 2017 |
| 17,788 | 8.110 | 2004 - 2011 |
| 30,886 | 8.110 | 2004 - 2011 |
| 4,929 | 8.193 | 2004 - 2011 |
| 14,446 | 8.193 | 2004 - 2011 |
| Number of ADRs under option |
Exercise price per ADR (\$) |
Exercise dates |
| 3,844 | 26.010 | 2012 - 2019 |
| 1,662 | 30.080 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 2,692 | 30.080 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 1,644 | 30.410 | 2011 - 2018 |
| 282,563 | 33.200 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 3,764 | 33.200 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 164,040 | 35.380 | 2004 - 2011 |
| 454,270 | 47.410 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 14,338 | 47.410 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 21,610 | 47.410 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 1,548 | 48.450 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 10,061 | 50.670 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 197 | 50.670 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 487,784 | 50.800 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 196 | 50.800 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 9,938 | 50.800 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 2,952 | 50.800 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 25,486 | 50.800 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 18,252 | 51.220 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 8,624 | 53.030 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 10,878 | 54.050 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 99,855 | 54.050 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 4,581 | 54.570 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 4,486 | 55.740 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 898 | 55.740 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 898 | 55.740 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 2,691 | 57.020 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 14,925 | 57.020 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 13,178 | 58.238 | 2004 - 2011 |
| 856 | 58.460 | 2009 - 2016 |
| 14,113 | 58.460 | 2009 - 2016 |
| 856 | 58.460 | 2009 - 2016 |
| 8,324 | 58.886 | 2004 - 2011 |
| 844 | 59.170 | 2011 - 2018 |
| 1,267 | 59.170 | 2011 - 2018 |
| 1,641 | 63.900 | 2009 - 2020 |
| 4,278 | 75.940 | 2010 - 2017 |
As at 31 December 2010, unexercised options over ordinary shares of 9,339,277 and unexercised options over ADRs of 1,334,208 have been granted under the WPP Worldwide Share Ownership Program as follows:
| Number of ordinary | Exercise price | |
|---|---|---|
| shares under option | per share (£) | Exercise dates |
| 110,300 | 3.903 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 1,000 | 3.903 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 3,000 | 3.903 | 2007 - 2013 |
| 4,625 | 4.210 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 625 | 4.210 | 2005 - 2013 |
| 35,340 | 4.819 | 2011 - 2018 |
| 250 | 5.210 | 2004 - 2011 |
| 185,000 | 5.435 | 2007 - 2014 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,529,987 | 5.483 | 2012 - 2019 |
| 29,041 | 5.483 | 2012 - 2016 |
| 12,250 | 5.483 | 2012 - 2020 |
| 9,375 | 5.483 | 2013 - 2019 |
| 274,363 | 5.483 | 2013 - 2019 |
| 45,738 | 5.483 | 2012 - 2019 |
| 143,375 | 5.608 | 2012 - 2019 |
| 2,875 | 5.775 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 29,400 | 5.913 | 2011 - 2018 |
| 108,000 | 5.917 | 2011 - 2018 |
| 1,000 | 5.990 | 2004 - 2011 |
| 1,089,954 | 6.028 | 2011 - 2018 |
| 428,500 | 6.195 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 6,375 | 6.668 | 2009 - 2017 |
| 81,125 | 6.740 | 2009 - 2016 |
| 718,550 | 6.938 | 2009 - 2016 |
| 23,596 | 7.005 | 2010 - 2017 |
| 2,548,001 | 7.113 | 2013 - 2020 |
| 58,250 | 7.113 | 2013 - 2020 |
| 19,375 | 7.113 | 2013 - 2017 |
| 33,750 | 7.113 | 2014 - 2020 |
| 329,750 | 7.113 | 2014 - 2020 |
| 292,525 | 7.180 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 6,000 | 7.180 | 2006 - 2012 |
| 76,457 | 7.478 | 2011 - 2017 |
| 878,225 | 7.718 | 2010 - 2017 |
| 223,300 | 7.960 | 2004 - 2011 |
| Number of ADRs | Exercise price | |
| under option | per ADR (\$) | Exercise dates |
| 27,640 | 30.800 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 279,490 | 44.560 | 2012 - 2019 |
| 38,075 | 49.880 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 23,715 | 53.030 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 22,890 | 56.480 | 2004 - 2011 |
| 381,100 | 56.560 | 2013 - 2020 |
| 193,853 | 59.500 | 2011 - 2018 |
| 92,020 | 59.520 | 2008 - 2015 |
| 123,575 | 60.690 | 2009 - 2016 |
| 151,850 | 75.760 | 2010 - 2017 |
As at 31 December 2010, unexercised options over ordinary shares of 24,306 have been granted under the Tempus Group plc 1998 Long Term Incentive Plan as follows:
| Number of ordinary | Exercise price | |
|---|---|---|
| shares under option | per share (£) | Exercise dates |
| 24,306 | 4.920 | 2001 - 2011 |
As at 31 December 2010, unexercised options over ordinary shares of 54,365 and unexercised options over ADRs of 27,639 have been granted under the Grey Global Group, Inc 1994 Stock Incentive Plan as follows:
| Number of ordinary shares under option |
Exercise price per share (£) |
Exercise dates |
|---|---|---|
| 54,365 | 3.499 | 2007 - 2011 |
| Number of ADRs | Exercise price | |
| under option | per ADR (\$) | Exercise dates |
| 7,089 | 28.2100 | 2006 - 2013 |
| 1,827 | 28.3000 | 2007 - 2012 |
| 3,632 | 30.8300 | 2007 - 2012 |
| 6,371 | 31.4200 | 2005 - 2012 |
| 8,720 | 31.7500 | 2008 - 2011 |
As at 31 December 2010, unexercised options over ADRs of 54,020 have been granted under the 24/7 Real Media, Inc 2002 Stock Incentive Plan as follows:
| Number of ADRs | Exercise price | |
|---|---|---|
| under option | per ADR (\$) | Exercise dates |
| 8 | 1.3400 | 2007 - 2013 |
| 552 | 15.8800 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 427 | 17.1500 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 69 | 20.0100 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 187 | 20.0700 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 69 | 20.3300 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 12 | 20.8400 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 66 | 22.4900 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 79 | 23.1800 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 78 | 23.4400 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 19 | 23.8200 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 263 | 24.2000 | 2007 - 2014 |
| 50 | 25.1500 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 315 | 25.9200 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 79 | 26.1100 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 787 | 27.1200 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 14,852 | 27.5000 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 148 | 28.7700 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 170 | 34.6200 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 82 | 35.0600 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 89 | 38.8700 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 26,410 | 40.6500 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 110 | 41.4700 | 2007 - 2015 |
| 110 | 45.2900 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 118 | 46.0500 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 69 | 46.6200 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 345 | 48.3300 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 157 | 49.5400 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 115 | 49.6000 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 314 | 49.6700 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 89 | 50.4900 | 2007 - 2016 |
| Number of ADRs | Exercise price | |
|---|---|---|
| under option | per ADR (\$) | Exercise dates |
| 157 | 50.6800 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 236 | 50.7500 | 2008 - 2017 |
| 472 | 51.3800 | 2008 - 2017 |
| 156 | 52.5900 | 2008 - 2017 |
| 92 | 53.1000 | 2006 - 2017 |
| 157 | 53.4800 | 2008 - 2017 |
| 78 | 53.6700 | 2008 - 2017 |
| 314 | 54.1100 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 944 | 54.2400 | 2007 - 2016 |
|---|---|---|
| 472 | 54.5600 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 314 | 55.2600 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 74 | 55.6400 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 59 | 55.7600 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 105 | 55.8900 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 157 | 56.2700 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 574 | 56.7200 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 78 | 57.4800 | 2008 - 2017 |
| 235 | 58.9400 | 2007 - 2017 |
| 393 | 60.0200 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 78 | 61.2300 | 2008 - 2017 |
| 108 | 61.9200 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 314 | 62.0500 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 759 | 62.9400 | 2008 - 2017 |
| 157 | 63.3200 | 2008 - 2017 |
| 708 | 63.8900 | 2008 - 2017 |
| 112 | 64.2700 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 54 | 64.6500 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 78 | 64.9700 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 78 | 65.5400 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 112 | 67.5800 | 2007 - 2016 |
| 157 | 70.5000 | 2008 - 2017 |
As at 31 December 2010, unexercised options over ordinary shares of 62,828 have been granted under the Taylor Nelson Sofres plc 2005 Long Term Incentive Plan as follows:
| Number of ordinary | Exercise price | Exercise |
|---|---|---|
| shares under option | per share (£) | dates |
| 29,849 | – | 2012 |
| 32,979 | – | 2013 |
As at 31 December 2010, unexercised options over ordinary shares of 28,649 have been granted under the Taylor Nelson Sofres plc 2008 New Share Plan as follows:
| Number of ordinary | Exercise price | Exercise |
|---|---|---|
| shares under option | per share (£) | dates |
| 28,649 | – | 2012 |
As at 31 December 2010, unexercised options over ordinary shares of 4,519 have been granted under the Taylor Nelson Sofres plc 2005 Key Employee Equity Plan as follows:
| Number of ordinary | Exercise price | Exercise |
|---|---|---|
| shares under option | per share (£) | dates |
| 245 | – | 2011 |
| 4,274 | – | 2012 |
As at 31 December 2010, unexercised options over ordinary shares of 1,315,225 have been granted under the Taylor Nelson Sofres plc 1999 Worldwide Employee Sharesave Plan as follows:
| Number of ordinary shares under option |
Exercise price per share (£) |
Exercise dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1,115 | 1.2700 | 2011 |
| 797,386 | 1.7300 | 2013 - 2015 |
| 258,353 | 1.9500 | 2011 - 2012 |
| 22,940 | 2.2900 | 2009 - 2011 |
| 5,226 | 2.5600 | 2009 - 2012 |
| 142,653 | 2.6500 | 2012 - 2014 |
| 2,236 | 2.9900 | 2010 - 2011 |
| 85,316 | 3.0000 | 2011 - 2013 |
The aggregate status of the WPP Share Option Plans during 2010 was as follows:
| Outstanding | Exercisable | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 | 31 | ||||
| January | December | December | ||||
| 2010 | Granted | Exercised | Lapsed | 2010 | 2010 | |
| number | number | number | number | number | number | |
| WPP | 23,551,894 | – | (6,133,058) | (2,712,254) | 14,706,582 | 14,633,578 |
| WWOP | 13,593,366 | 5,022,250 | (417,951) | (2,187,348) | 16,010,317 | 5,442,153 |
| Y&R | 862,676 | – | (668,610) | (194,066) | – | – |
| Tempus | 56,468 | – | (32,162) | – | 24,306 | 24,306 |
| Grey | 392,950 | – | (178,645) | (21,745) | 192,560 | 192,560 |
| 24/7 | 616,205 | – | (293,095) | (53,010) | 270,100 | 222,220 |
| TNS | 1,657,024 | – | (175,246) | (70,557) | 1,411,221 | 31,517 |
| 40,730,583 | 5,022,250 | (7,898,767) | (5,238,980) | 32,615,086 | 20,546,334 |
Weighted-average exercise price for options over:
| Outstanding | Exercisable | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 | 31 | ||||
| January | December | December | ||||
| 2010 | Granted | Exercised | Lapsed | 2010 | 2010 | |
| Ordinary shares (£) | ||||||
| WPP | 5.566 | – | 5.147 | 6.934 | 5.489 | 5.492 |
| WWOP | 6.306 | 7.113 | 5.700 | 5.512 | 6.218 | 6.954 |
| Y&R | 7.052 | – | – | 7.052 | – | – |
| Tempus | 5.445 | – | – | – | 4.920 | 4.920 |
| Grey | 3.499 | – | – | – | 3.499 | 3.499 |
| TNS | 1.870 | – | 2.046 | 2.116 | 1.836 | 2.348 |
| ADRs (\$) | ||||||
| WPP | 46.939 | – | 37.307 | 54.148 | 45.814 | 45.857 |
| WWOP | 56.187 | 56.560 | 36.712 | 55.704 | 56.457 | 62.076 |
| Y&R | 52.298 | – | – | 57.376 | – | – |
| Grey | 30.949 | – | 30.733 | 36.110 | 30.417 | 30.417 |
| 24/7 | 38.578 | – | 37.920 | 42.054 | 38.610 | 38.121 |
Outstanding
| Range of exercise |
Weighted average | Weighted average |
|---|---|---|
| prices | exercise price | contractual life |
| £ | £ | Months |
| nil – 8.193 | 5.763 | 69 |
| Range of | ||
|---|---|---|
| exercise | Weighted average | Weighted average |
| prices | exercise price | contractual life |
| \$ | \$ | Months |
| 1.340 – 76.940 | 50.110 | 61 |
As at 31 December 2010 there was £6.8 million (2009: £5.8 million) of total unrecognised compensation cost related to share options. That cost is expected to be recognised over a weighted average period of 21 months (2009: 20 months).
The weighted average fair value of options granted in the year calculated using the Black-Scholes model, was as follows:
| 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair value of UK options (shares) | 144.5p | 115.5p | 129.5p |
| Fair value of US options (ADRs) | \$ 10.97 | \$ 8.95 |
\$ 8.36 |
| Weighted average assumptions: | |||
| UK Risk-free interest rate | 1.76% | 2.27% | 3.93% |
| US Risk-free interest rate | 1.05% | 1.85% | 2.25% |
| Expected life (months) | 48 | 48 | 48 |
| Expected volatility | 30% | 30% | 25% |
| Dividend yield | 2.5% | 2.5% | 1.75% |
Options are issued at an exercise price equal to market value on the date of grant.
The weighted average share price of the Group for the year ended 31 December 2010 was £6.78 (2009: £4.72, 2008: £5.12) and the weighted average ADR price for the same period was \$52.51 (2009: \$37.23, 2008: \$48.26).
Expected volatility is sourced from external market data and represents the historic volatility in the Group's share price over a period equivalent to the expected option life.
Expected life is based on a review of historic exercise behaviour in the context of the contractual terms of the options, as described in more detail below.
The Worldwide Share Ownership Program is open for participation to employees with at least two years' employment in the Group. It is not available to those participating in other share-based incentive programs or to executive directors. The vesting period for each grant is three years and there are no performance conditions other than continued employment with the Group.
The Executive Stock Option Plan has historically been open for participation to WPP Group Leaders, Partners and High Potential Group. It is not currently offered to parent company executive directors. The vesting period is three years and performance conditions include achievement of various TSR (Total Share Owner Return) and EPS (Earnings per Share) objectives, as well as continued employment. In 2005, the Group moved away from the issuance of stock options for Leaders, Partners and High Potential Group and has since largely made grants of restricted stock instead (note 22).
The Group grants stock options with a life of ten years, including the vesting period. The terms of stock options with performance conditions are such that if, after nine years and eight months, the performance conditions have not been met, then the stock option will vest automatically.
Other reserves comprise the following:
| Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Equity | Revaluation | Translation | other | |
| reserve | reserve | reserve | reserves | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| 1 January 2009 | (82.9) | 87.3 | 1,246.1 | 1,250.5 |
| Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments | – | – | (142.2) | (142.2) |
| Loss on revaluation of available for sale investments | – | (13.5) | – | (13.5) |
| Recognition and remeasurement of financial instruments | (36.4) | – | – | (36.4) |
| Equity component of convertible bonds (net of deferred tax) | 34.7 | – | – | 34.7 |
| 31 December 2009 | (84.6) | 73.8 | 1,103.9 | 1,093.1 |
| Exchange adjustments on foreign currency net investments | – | – | 146.6 | 146.6 |
| Loss on revaluation of available for sale investments | – | (59.8) | – | (59.8) |
| Recognition and remeasurement of financial instruments | 2.9 | – | – | 2.9 |
| 31 December 2010 | (81.7) | 14.0 | 1,250.5 | 1,182.8 |
The Group accounts for acquisitions in accordance with IFRS 3 (revised) Business Combinations. IFRS 3 (revised) requires the acquiree's identifiable assets, liabilities and contingent liabilities (other than non-current assets or disposal groups held for sale) to be recognised at fair value at acquisition date. In assessing fair value at acquisition date, management make their best estimate of the likely outcome where the fair value of an asset or liability may be contingent on a future event. In certain instances, the underlying transaction giving rise to an estimate may not be resolved until some years after the acquisition date. IFRS 3 (revised) requires the release to profit of any acquisition reserves which subsequently become excess in the same way as any excess costs over those provided at acquisition date are charged to profit. At each period end management assess provisions and other balances established in respect of acquisitions for their continued probability of occurrence and amend the relevant value accordingly through the consolidated income statement or as an adjustment to goodwill as appropriate under IFRS 3 (revised).
The Group acquired a number of subsidiaries in the year. The following table sets out the book values of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their fair value to the Group. The fair value adjustments for certain acquisitions have been determined provisionally at the balance sheet date.
| Fair | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Book | value | ||
| value at | Fair value | to | |
| acquisition | adjustments | Group | |
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Intangible assets | 0.7 | 25.5 | 26.2 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 9.1 | – | 9.1 |
| Cash | 57.0 | – | 57.0 |
| Trade receivables due within one year | 161.7 | – | 161.7 |
| Other current assets | 56.2 | – | 56.2 |
| Total assets | 284.7 | 25.5 | 310.2 |
| Current liabilities | (259.1) | – | (259.1) |
| Trade and other payables due after one year | (1.1) | (3.4) | (4.5) |
| Deferred tax liabilities | (0.1) | (9.3) | (9.4) |
| Provisions | (0.5) | (0.7) | (1.2) |
| Total liabilities | (260.8) | (13.4) | (274.2) |
| Net assets | 23.9 | 12.1 | 36.0 |
| Non-controlling interests | (0.5) | ||
| Fair value of equity stake in associate undertakings before acquisition of | |||
| controlling interest | (32.6) | ||
| Goodwill | 161.1 | ||
| Consideration | 164.0 | ||
| Consideration satisfied by: | |||
| Cash | 131.2 | ||
| Payments due to vendors (note 19) | 32.8 | ||
Goodwill arising from acquisitions represents the value of synergies with our existing portfolio of businesses and skilled staff to deliver services to our clients. Goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes is £14.3 million.
Non-controlling interests in acquired companies are measured at the non-controlling interest's proportionate share of the acquirees' identifiable net assets. The contribution to revenue and operating profit of acquisitions completed in the year was not material. There were no material acquisitions completed between 31 December 2010 and the date the financial statements have been authorised for issue.
The Group acquired a number of subsidiaries in the year. The following table sets out the book values of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their fair value to the Group. The fair value adjustments for certain acquisitions have been determined provisionally at the balance sheet date.
| Book | Fair | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| value at | Fair value | value to | |
| acquisition | adjustments | Group | |
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Intangible assets | – | 6.6 | 6.6 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 2.6 | – | 2.6 |
| Current assets | 17.0 | – | 17.0 |
| Total assets | 19.6 | 6.6 | 26.2 |
| Current liabilities | (11.8) | (0.1) | (11.9) |
| Trade and other payables due after one year | (1.2) | – | (1.2) |
| Deferred tax liabilities | – | (2.8) | (2.8) |
| Provisions | (0.1) | – | (0.1) |
| Total liabilities | (13.1) | (2.9) | (16.0) |
| Net assets | 6.5 | 3.7 | 10.2 |
| Non-controlling interest | (2.4) | ||
| Goodwill | 13.1 | ||
| Consideration | 20.9 | ||
| Consideration satisfied by: | |||
| Cash | 15.4 | ||
| Payments due to vendors | 4.6 | ||
| Capitalised acquisition costs | 0.9 |
Goodwill arising from acquisitions represents the value of synergies with our existing portfolio of businesses and skilled staff to deliver services to our clients.
The contribution to revenue and operating profit of acquisitions completed in the year was not material. There were no material acquisitions completed between 31 December 2009 and the date the financial statements have been authorised for issue.
On 29 October 2008 the Group completed its acquisition of the issued share capital of Taylor Nelson Sofres plc (TNS). The following table sets out the book values of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their fair value to the Group. The fair value adjustments have been determined provisionally at the corresponding balance sheet date.
| Book | Accounting | Fair | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Value at | policy | Fair Value | Value to | |
| Acquisition | 1 alignments |
2 adjustments |
Group | |
| £m | £m | £m | £m | |
| Intangible assets | 17.4 | – | 708.3 | 725.7 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 88.8 | (7.9) | 10.3 | 91.2 |
| Interests in associates and other investments | 2.8 | 15.1 | (1.4) | 16.5 |
| Deferred tax assets | 44.1 | – | (29.4) | 14.7 |
| Current assets | 601.8 | (119.0) | (9.3) | 473.5 |
| Total assets | 754.9 | (111.8) | 678.5 | 1,321.6 |
| Current liabilities | (548.2) | 115.9 | (51.7) | (484.0) |
| 3 Bonds and bank loans |
(577.8) | – | – | (577.8) |
| Trade and other payables due after one year | (18.7) | 0.1 | (38.0) | (56.6) |
| Deferred tax liabilities | (34.3) | – | (210.2) | (244.5) |
| Provisions | (41.2) | 0.4 | (16.0) | (56.8) |
| Total liabilities | (1,220.2) | 116.4 | (315.9) | (1,419.7) |
| Net (liabilities)/assets | (465.3) | 4.6 | 362.6 | (98.1) |
| Non-controlling interest | (9.6) | |||
| Goodwill | 1,132.7 | |||
| Consideration | 1,025.0 | |||
| Consideration satisfied by: | ||||
| Cash | 737.0 | |||
| 4 Shares |
267.7 | |||
| Shares to be issued | 2.8 | |||
| Capitalised acquisition costs | 17.5 |
Accounting policy alignments comprise adjustments to bring the assets and liabilities of TNS into compliance with WPP plc's accounting policies. These were principally in relation to revenue recognition and the application of the equity method of accounting to joint ventures which had been previously accounted for under the proportional method. 1
Fair value adjustments comprise adjustments to bring the book value of the assets and liabilities of TNS to fair value, principally through the recognition of intangible assets (comprising customer relationships, proprietary tools and brands), their related deferred tax liabilities and other provisions including taxes. 2
At acquisition date TNS had £577.8 million of debt, of which £395.7 million was paid off by WPP in November 2008 out of its own debt facilities. The total of consideration and debt acquired for TNS is therefore £1,602.8 million. 3
Share consideration comprises 80.5 million ordinary shares. 4
Net cash (outflows)/inflows in respect of TNS comprised:
| £m | |
|---|---|
| Cash consideration | (737.0) |
| Cash and cash equivalents (net) | 18.2 |
| Acquisition costs | (17.5) |
| (736.3) |
The post-acquisition contribution of TNS was £269.6 million to revenue and £12.4 million to operating profit. Operating profit is stated after charging £18.5 million amortisation of acquired intangible assets.
The Group acquired a number of other subsidiaries during 2008. The following table sets out the book values of the identifiable assets and liabilities acquired and their fair value to the Group. The fair value adjustments of certain acquisitions have been determined provisionally at the corresponding balance sheet date.
| Book | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| value at | Fair value | Fair value | |
| acquisition | adjustments | to Group | |
| £m | £m | £m | |
| Intangible assets | 1.7 | 18.7 | 20.4 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 5.5 | (0.1) | 5.4 |
| Current assets | 147.1 | – | 147.1 |
| Total assets | 154.3 | 18.6 | 172.9 |
| Current liabilities | (106.3) | (0.3) | (106.6) |
| Trade and other payables due after one year | (4.2) | (19.7) | (23.9) |
| Deferred tax liabilities | (0.2) | (4.3) | (4.5) |
| Provisions | (1.2) | – | (1.2) |
| Total liabilities | (111.9) | (24.3) | (136.2) |
| Net assets/(liabilities) | 42.4 | (5.7) | 36.7 |
| Non-controlling interest | (15.8) | ||
| Goodwill | 132.4 | ||
| Consideration | 153.3 | ||
| Consideration satisfied by: | |||
| Cash | 108.2 | ||
| Payments due to vendors | 37.4 | ||
| Capitalised acquisition costs | 7.7 | ||
In aggregate, other acquisitions completed in 2008 contributed £106.7 million to revenues and £17.9 million to operating profit.
If all acquisitions, including TNS, had been completed on the first day of the financial year, Group revenues for the period would have been £8,534.4 million and operating profit would have been £824.8 million.
The principal subsidiary undertakings of the Group are:
| Country of Incorporation | |
|---|---|
| Grey Global Group, Inc | US |
| J. Walter Thompson Company, Inc | US |
| GroupM Worldwide, Inc | US |
| The Ogilvy Group, Inc | US |
| Young & Rubicam, Inc | US |
| Taylor Nelson Sofres Group Holdings Ltd | UK |
All of these subsidiaries are operating companies and are 100% owned by the Group.
From time to time the Group enters into transactions with its associate undertakings. These transactions were not material for any of the years presented.
Reconciliation of profit before interest and taxation to headline PBIT:
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
2008 £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Profit before interest and taxation | 1,028.2 | 818.7 | 922.0 |
| Gains on disposal of investments | (4.1) | (31.1) | (3.4) |
| Gains on re-measurement of equity on acquisition of controlling interest | (13.7) | – | – |
| Goodwill impairment | 10.0 | 44.3 | 84.1 |
| Goodwill write-down relating to utilisation of pre-acquisition tax losses | – | – | 1.5 |
| Amortisation and impairment of acquired intangible assets | 170.5 | 172.6 | 78.4 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of exceptional losses of associates | 0.3 | 1.6 | 0.5 |
| Investment write-downs | 37.5 | 11.1 | 30.5 |
| Cost of changes to corporate structure | – | – | 4.6 |
| Headline PBIT | 1,228.7 | 1,017.2 | 1,118.2 |
| Headline PBIT margin (as a percent of revenue) | 13.2% | 11.7% | 15.0% |
WPP Finance (UK) is the issuer of \$650 million of 5.875% bonds due June 2014, with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Air 1 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited, and Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings as subsidiary guarantors, previously registered under the Securities Act of 1933. A Form 15 giving notice of termination of registration was filed with the SEC in relation to this security on 2 August 2006. In addition, during June 2009 WPP Finance (UK) issued \$600 million of 8% bonds due September 2014, with WPP plc as parent guarantor and WPP Air 1 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited and WPP 2005 Limited as subsidiary guarantors.
The issuer and guarantors of the bonds are each subject to the reporting requirements under section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Accordingly, condensed consolidating financial information containing financial information for WPP Finance (UK) and the guarantors is presented beginning on page F-42. Condensed consolidating financial information is prepared in accordance with the Group's IFRS accounting policies applied in the year ended 31 December 2010, except to the extent that, in the parent company, subsidiary issuer and subsidiary guarantors columns investments in subsidiaries are accounted for under the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, earnings of subsidiaries are reflected as "share of results of subsidiaries" in the income statement and as "investments in subsidiaries" in the balance sheet, as required by the SEC.
Although the \$600 million bonds do not have the identical subsidiary guarantor structure as the \$650 million bonds, the exclusion of the financial information of Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings has no financial impact on the columns presented in the condensed consolidating financial information for the years ended 31 December 2010, 2009 and 2008, as it is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of WPP Air 1 Limited with no operations or cash flows of its own and its sole assets are its interests in certain operating subsidiaries.
In the event that WPP Finance (UK) fails to pay the holders of the securities, thereby requiring WPP plc, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited, Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings or WPP Air 1 Limited to make payment pursuant to the terms of its full and unconditional guarantee of those securities, there is no impediment to WPP plc, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited, Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings or WPP Air 1 Limited in obtaining reimbursement for any such payments from WPP Finance (UK).
For the year ended 31 December 2010, £m
| WPP | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPP | Subsidiary | Finance | Other | Reclassifications / | Consolidated | |
| plc | 1 Guarantors |
(UK) | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | WPP plc | |
| Revenue | — | — | — | 9,331.0 | — | 9,331.0 |
| Direct costs | — | — | — | (770.5) | — | (770.5) |
| Gross profit | — | — | — | 8,560.5 | — | 8,560.5 |
| Operating costs | (3.1) | 19.4 | (0.1) | (7,603.7) | — | (7,587.5) |
| Operating profit/(loss) | (3.1) | 19.4 | (0.1) | 956.8 | — | 973.0 |
| Share of results of subsidiaries | 626.8 | 734.7 | — | — | (1,361.5) | — |
| Share of results of associates | — | — | — | 55.2 | — | 55.2 |
| Profit/(loss) before interest and taxation | 623.7 | 754.1 | (0.1) | 1,012.0 | (1,361.5) | 1,028.2 |
| Finance income | — | 94.6 | 18.3 | (31.2) | — | 81.7 |
| Finance costs | (37.7) | (224.5) | (57.6) | 43.0 | — | (276.8) |
| Revaluation of financial instruments | — | 0.7 | — | 17.5 | — | 18.2 |
| Profit/(loss) before taxation | 586.0 | 624.9 | (39.4) | 1,041.3 | (1,361.5) | 851.3 |
| Taxation | — | 1.9 | — | (192.2) | — | (190.3) |
| Profit/(loss) for the year | 586.0 | 626.8 | (39.4) | 849.1 | (1,361.5) | 661.0 |
| Attributable to: | ||||||
| Equity holders of the parent | 586.0 | 626.8 | (39.4) | 774.1 | (1,361.5) | 586.0 |
| Non-controlling interests | — | — | — | 75.0 | — | 75.0 |
| Profit/(loss) for the year | 586.0 | 626.8 | (39.4) | 849.1 | (1,361.5) | 661.0 |
| WPP | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPP | Subsidiary | Finance | Other | Reclassifications / | Consolidated | |
| plc | 1 Guarantors |
(UK) | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | WPP plc | |
| Revenue | — | — | — | 8,684.3 | — | 8,684.3 |
| Direct costs | — | — | — | (703.6) | — | (703.6) |
| Gross profit | — | — | — | 7,980.7 | — | 7,980.7 |
| Operating costs | (5.0) | (100.4) | — | (7,113.6) | — | (7,219.0) |
| Operating profit/(loss) | (5.0) | (100.4) | — | 867.1 | — | 761.7 |
| Share of results of subsidiaries | 465.5 | 733.6 | — | — | (1,199.1) | — |
| Share of results of associates | — | — | — | 57.0 | — | 57.0 |
| Profit before interest and taxation | 460.5 | 633.2 | — | 924.1 | (1,199.1) | 818.7 |
| Finance income | — | 165.8 | 14.6 | (30.0) | — | 150.4 |
| Finance costs | (22.8) | (340.3) | (42.5) | 50.2 | — | (355.4) |
| Revaluation of financial instruments | — | 6.0 | — | 42.9 | — | 48.9 |
| Profit/(loss) before taxation | 437.7 | 464.7 | (27.9) | 987.2 | (1,199.1) | 662.6 |
| Taxation | — | 0.8 | — | (156.5) | — | (155.7) |
| Profit/(loss) for the year | 437.7 | 465.5 | (27.9) | 830.7 | (1,199.1) | 506.9 |
| Attributable to: | ||||||
| Equity holders of the parent | 437.7 | 465.5 | (27.9) | 761.5 | (1,199.1) | 437.7 |
| Non-controlling interests | — | — | — | 69.2 | — | 69.2 |
| Profit/(loss) for the year | 437.7 | 465.5 | (27.9) | 830.7 | (1,199.1) | 506.9 |
Note
Includes: WPP Air 1 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited and Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings. 1
Condensed consolidating income statement information (continued) For the year ended 31 December 2008, £m
| WPP | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPP | Subsidiary | Finance | Other | Reclassifications / | Consolidated | |
| plc | 1 Guarantors |
(UK) | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | WPP plc | |
| Revenue | — | — | — | 7,476.9 | — | 7,476.9 |
| Direct costs | — | — | — | (467.5) | — | (467.5) |
| Gross profit | — | — | — | 7,009.4 | — | 7,009.4 |
| Operating costs | (0.3) | (96.7) | 1.5 | (6,037.9) | — | (6,133.4) |
| Operating profit/(loss) | (0.3) | (96.7) | 1.5 | 971.5 | — | 876.0 |
| Share of results of subsidiaries | 439.4 | 758.4 | — | — | (1,197.8) | — |
| Share of results of associates | — | — | — | 46.0 | — | 46.0 |
| Profit before interest and taxation | 439.1 | 661.7 | 1.5 | 1,017.5 | (1,197.8) | 922.0 |
| Finance income | — | 92.5 | 10.4 | 66.7 | — | 169.6 |
| Finance costs | — | (304.1) | (21.7) | 6.4 | — | (319.4) |
| Revaluation of financial instruments | — | (11.3) | — | (14.1) | — | (25.4) |
| Profit/(loss) before taxation | 439.1 | 438.8 | (9.8) | 1,076.5 | (1,197.8) | 746.8 |
| Taxation | — | 0.6 | — | (233.5) | — | (232.9) |
| Profit/(loss) for the year | 439.1 | 439.4 | (9.8) | 843.0 | (1,197.8) | 513.9 |
| Attributable to: | ||||||
| Equity holders of the parent | 439.1 | 439.4 | (9.8) | 768.2 | (1,197.8) | 439.1 |
| Non-controlling interests | — | — | — | 74.8 | — | 74.8 |
| Profit/(loss) for the year | 439.1 | 439.4 | (9.8) | 843.0 | (1,197.8) | 513.9 |
Includes: WPP Air 1 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited and Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings. 1
For the year ended 31 December 2010, £m
| WPP | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPP | Subsidiary | Finance | Other | Reclassifications / | Consolidated | |
| plc | 1 Guarantors |
(UK) | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | WPP plc | |
| Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities | 28.1 | (395.6) | (30.6) | 1,759.3 | — | 1,361.2 |
| Investing activities | ||||||
| Acquisitions and disposals | — | 20.2 | — | (220.3) | — | (200.1) |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | — | (3.9) | — | (186.6) | — | (190.5) |
| Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised | ||||||
| computer software) | — | — | — | (27.0) | — | (27.0) |
| Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment | — | — | — | 7.6 | — | 7.6 |
| Net cash (outflow)/inflow from investing activities | — | 16.3 | — | (426.3) | — | (410.0) |
| Financing activities | ||||||
| Share option proceeds | 42.7 | — | — | — | — | 42.7 |
| Cash consideration for non-controlling interests | — | — | — | (15.1) | — | (15.1) |
| Share repurchases and buy-backs | — | — | — | (46.4) | — | (46.4) |
| Net increase in borrowings | — | — | — | 19.8 | — | 19.8 |
| Financing and share issue costs | — | — | — | (3.5) | — | (3.5) |
| Capital contribution (paid)/received | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Equity dividends paid | (13.4) | (187.0) | — | — | — | (200.4) |
| Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary | ||||||
| undertakings | — | — | — | (66.7) | — | (66.7) |
| Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities | 29.3 | (187.0) | — | (111.9) | — | (269.6) |
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | 57.4 | (566.3) | (30.6) | 1,221.1 | — | 681.6 |
| Translation differences | 0.1 | (27.9) | 25.9 | 84.1 | — | 82.2 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | (56.1) | (2,245.0) | 726.7 | 2,520.4 | — | 946.0 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | 1.4 | (2,839.2) | 722.0 | 3,825.6 | — | 1,709.8 |
| For the year ended 31 December 2009, £m | WPP | |||||
| WPP | Subsidiary | Finance | Other | Reclassifications / | Consolidated | |
| plc | 1 Guarantors |
(UK) | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | WPP plc | |
| Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities | (468.3) | (223.6) | (28.5) | 1,539.3 | (0.1) | 818.8 |
| Investing activities | ||||||
| Acquisitions and disposals | — | — | — | (118.4) | — | (118.4) |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | — | (2.1) | — | (220.8) | — | (222.9) |
| Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised | ||||||
| computer software) | — | — | — | (30.4) | — | (30.4) |
| Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment | — | — | — | 9.2 | — | 9.2 |
| Net cash outflow from investing activities | — | (2.1) | — | (360.4) | — | (362.5) |
| Financing activities | ||||||
| Share option proceeds | 4.1 | — | — | — | — | 4.1 |
| Cash consideration for non-controlling interests | — | — | — | (26.4) | — | (26.4) |
| Share repurchases and buy-backs | (9.5) | — | — | — | — | (9.5) |
| Net (decrease)/increase in borrowings | 450.0 | (1,050.7) | 370.7 | (196.3) | — | (426.3) |
| Financing and share issue costs | (10.0) | — | — | (8.8) | — | (18.8) |
| Capital contribution (paid)/received | — | (111.7) | — | 111.7 | — | — |
| Equity dividends paid | (22.3) | (55.9) | — | (111.7) | 0.1 | (189.8) |
| Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary | ||||||
| undertakings | — | — | — | (63.0) | — | (63.0) |
| Net cash (outflow)/inflow from financing activities | 412.3 | (1,218.3) | 370.7 | (294.5) | 0.1 | (729.7) |
| Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents | (273.4) | |||||
| (56.0) | (1,444.0) | 342.2 | 884.4 | — | ||
| Translation differences | 0.1 | (207.8) | (41.4) | 150.4 | — | (98.7) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | (0.2) | (593.2) | 425.9 | 1,485.6 | — | 1,318.1 |
Note
Includes: WPP Air 1 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited and Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings. 1
For the year ended 31 December 2008, £m
| WPP | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPP | Subsidiary | Finance | Other | Reclassifications / | Consolidated | |
| plc | 1 Guarantors |
(UK) | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | WPP plc | |
| Net cash inflow/(outflow) from operating activities | (0.3) | 522.5 | (11.9) | 413.5 | (1.1) | 922.7 |
| Investing activities | ||||||
| Acquisitions and disposals | — | (1.3) | — | (1,028.1) | — | (1,029.4) |
| Purchases of property, plant and equipment | — | (2.1) | — | (194.7) | — | (196.8) |
| Purchases of other intangible assets (including capitalised | ||||||
| computer software) | — | — | — | (23.8) | — | (23.8) |
| Proceeds on disposal of property, plant and equipment | — | — | — | 11.5 | — | 11.5 |
| Net cash outflow from investing activities | — | (3.4) | — | (1,235.1) | — | (1,238.5) |
| Financing activities | ||||||
| Share option proceeds | — | 10.6 | — | — | — | 10.6 |
| Cash consideration for non-controlling interests | — | — | — | (19.7) | — | (19.7) |
| Share repurchases and buy-backs | — | (105.3) | — | — | — | (105.3) |
| Net increase/(decrease) in borrowings | — | 1,236.3 | — | (425.9) | — | 810.4 |
| Financing and share issue costs | 0.1 | (15.0) | — | (4.5) | — | (19.4) |
| Capital contribution (paid)/received | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| Equity dividends paid | — | (162.9) | — | — | 1.1 | (161.8) |
| Dividends paid to non-controlling interests in subsidiary | ||||||
| undertakings | — | — | — | (63.5) | — | (63.5) |
| Net cash inflow/(outflow) from financing activities | 0.1 | 963.7 | — | (513.6) | 1.1 | 451.3 |
| Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | (0.2) | 1,482.8 | (11.9) | (1,335.2) | — | 135.5 |
| Translation differences | — | 307.0 | 116.0 | (302.7) | — | 120.3 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | — | (2,383.0) | 321.8 | 3,123.5 | — | 1,062.3 |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | (0.2) | (593.2) | 425.9 | 1,485.6 | — | 1,318.1 |
Note 1
Includes: WPP Air 1 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited and Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings.
Condensed consolidating balance sheet information
At 31 December 2010, £m
| WPP | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPP | Subsidiary | Finance | Other | Reclassifications/ | Consolidated | |
| plc | 1 guarantors |
(UK) | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | WPP plc | |
| Non-current assets | ||||||
| Intangible assets: | ||||||
| Goodwill | — | — | — | 9,106.3 | — | 9,106.3 |
| Other | — | — | — | 1,904.5 | — | 1,904.5 |
| Property, plant and equipment | — | 4.6 | — | 703.8 | — | 708.4 |
| Investment in subsidiaries | 6,469.4 | 12,520.8 | — | — | (18,990.2) | — |
| Interests in associates | — | — | — | 792.1 | — | 792.1 |
| Other investments | — | — | — | 173.7 | — | 173.7 |
| Deferred tax assets | — | — | — | 79.1 | — | 79.1 |
| Trade and other receivables | — | 126.2 | — | 197.3 | — | 323.5 |
| 6,469.4 | 12,651.6 | — | 12,956.8 | (18,990.2) | 13,087.6 | |
| Current assets | ||||||
| Inventory and work in progress | — | — | — | 366.0 | — | 366.0 |
| Corporate income tax recoverable | — | — | — | 82.9 | — | 82.9 |
| Trade and other receivables | 0.3 | 50.1 | 2.8 | 8,790.2 | — | 8,843.4 |
| Cash and short-term deposits | 1.4 | 903.7 | 722.0 | 4,081.0 | (3,742.9) | 1,965.2 |
| 1.7 | 953.8 | 724.8 | 13,320.1 | (3,742.9) | 11,257.5 | |
| Current Liabilities | ||||||
| Trade and other payables | (4.8) | (72.6) | (10.1) | (11,616.1) | — | (11,703.6) |
| Corporate income tax payable | — | — | — | (115.8) | — | (115.8) |
| Bank overdrafts and loans | — | (3,742.9) | — | (255.4) | 3,742.9 | (255.4) |
| (4.8) | (3,815.5) | (10.1) | (11,987.3) | 3,742.9 | (12,074.8) | |
| Net current (liabilities)/assets | (3.1) | (2,861.7) | 714.7 | 1,332.8 | — | (817.3) |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 6,466.3 | 9,789.9 | 714.7 | 14,289.6 | (18,990.2) | 12,270.3 |
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||
| Bonds and bank loans | (413.2) | (1,608.8) | (797.4) | (778.8) | — | (3,598.2) |
| Trade and other payables | — | (110.1) | — | (278.5) | — | (388.6) |
| Corporate income tax liability | — | — | — | (481.8) | — | (481.8) |
| Deferred tax liabilities | — | — | — | (750.7) | — | (750.7) |
| Provisions for post-employment benefits | — | — | — | (241.5) | — | (241.5) |
| Provisions for liabilities and charges | — | — | — | (161.6) | — | (161.6) |
| (413.2) | (1,718.9) | (797.4) | (2,692.9) | — | (5,622.4) | |
| Net intercompany receivable/(payable) | 393.5 | (1,601.6) | — | 1,208.1 | — | — |
| Net assets/(liabilities) | 6,446.6 | 6,469.4 | (82.7) | 12,804.8 | (18,990.2) | 6,647.9 |
| Attributable to: | ||||||
| Equity share owners' funds | 6,446.6 | 6,469.4 | (82.7) | 12,603.5 | (18,990.2) | 6,446.6 |
| Non-controlling interests | — | — | — | 201.3 | — | 201.3 |
| Total equity | 6,446.6 | 6,469.4 | (82.7) | 12,804.8 | (18,990.2) | 6,647.9 |
Note
Includes: WPP Air 1 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited and Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings. 1
Condensed consolidating balance sheet information (continued)
At 31 December 2009, £m
| WPP | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WPP | Subsidiary | Finance | Other | Reclassifications/ | Consolidated | |
| plc | 1 guarantors |
(UK) | Subsidiaries | Eliminations | WPP plc | |
| Non-current assets | ||||||
| Intangible assets: | ||||||
| Goodwill | — | — | — | 8,697.5 | — | 8,697.5 |
| Other | — | — | — | 2,000.7 | — | 2,000.7 |
| Property, plant and equipment | — | 2.5 | — | 678.0 | — | 680.5 |
| Investment in subsidiaries | 5,905.2 | 11,659.7 | — | — | (17,564.9) | — |
| Interests in associates | — | — | — | 729.3 | — | 729.3 |
| Other investments | — | — | — | 294.6 | — | 294.6 |
| Deferred tax assets | — | — | — | 67.5 | — | 67.5 |
| Trade and other receivables | — | 115.3 | — | 170.8 | — | 286.1 |
| 5,905.2 | 11,777.5 | — | 12,638.4 | (17,564.9) | 12,756.2 | |
| Current assets | ||||||
| Inventory and work in progress | — | — | — | 306.7 | — | 306.7 |
| Corporate income tax recoverable | — | — | — | 73.0 | — | 73.0 |
| Trade and other receivables | 0.9 | 48.1 | 9.6 | 7,490.3 | — | 7,548.9 |
| Cash and short-term deposits | 1.7 | 1,296.8 | 727.8 | 3,182.2 | (3,541.8) | 1,666.7 |
| 2.6 | 1,344.9 | 737.4 | 11,052.2 | (3,541.8) | 9,595.3 | |
| Current Liabilities | ||||||
| Trade and other payables | (4.5) | (85.8) | (9.7) | (9,674.0) | — | (9,774.0) |
| Corporate income tax payable | — | — | — | (71.6) | — | (71.6) |
| Bank overdrafts and loans | (57.8) | (3,541.8) | (1.1) | (661.8) | 3,541.8 | (720.7) |
| (62.3) | (3,627.6) | (10.8) | (10,407.4) | 3,541.8 | (10,566.3) | |
| Net current (liabilities)/assets | (59.7) | (2,282.7) | 726.6 | 644.8 | — | (971.0) |
| Total assets less current liabilities | 5,845.5 | 9,494.8 | 726.6 | 13,283.2 | (17,564.9) | 11,785.2 |
| Non-current liabilities | ||||||
| Bonds and bank loans | (402.3) | (1,624.2) | (766.6) | (793.3) | — | (3,586.4) |
| Trade and other payables | — | (109.5) | — | (313.8) | — | (423.3) |
| Corporate income tax liability | — | — | — | (485.5) | — | (485.5) |
| Deferred tax liabilities | — | — | — | (809.6) | — | (809.6) |
| Provisions for post-employment benefits | — | — | — | (251.8) | — | (251.8) |
| Provisions for liabilities and charges | — | — | — | (152.9) | — | (152.9) |
| (402.3) | (1,733.7) | (766.6) | (2,806.9) | — | (5,709.5) | |
| Net intercompany receivable/(payable) | 450.8 | (1,855.9) | — | 1,405.1 | — | — |
| Net assets/(liabilities) | 5,894.0 | 5,905.2 | (40.0) | 11,881.4 | (17,564.9) | 6,075.7 |
| Attributable to: | ||||||
| Equity share owners' funds | 5,894.0 | 5,905.2 | (40.0) | 11,699.7 | (17,564.9) | 5,894.0 |
| Non-controlling interests | — | — | — | 181.7 | — | 181.7 |
| Total equity | 5,894.0 | 5,905.2 | (40.0) | 11,881.4 | (17,564.9) | 6,075.7 |
Note 1
Includes: WPP Air 1 Limited, WPP 2008 Limited, WPP 2005 Limited and Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings.
We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of WPP DAS Ltd (the "Trust") at 31 December 2010 and 2009 and the related cash flow statements and statements of changes in equity for each of the two years in the period ended 31 December 2010 and the period from 9 July 2008 through 31 December 2008. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Trust's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. The Trust is not required to have an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. Our audit includes consideration of internal control over financial reporting as a basis for designing audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing any opinion on the Trust's internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such separate opinion. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, such financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Trust as at 31 December 2010 and 2009, and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended 31 December 2010 and the period from 9 July 2008 through 31 December 2008, in conformity with International Financial Reporting Standards as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board.
/s/ Deloitte LLP Deloitte LLP London, United Kingdom 29 April 2011
| Notes | 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
2008 £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net cash inflow from operating activities | – | – | – | |
| Investing activities | – | – | – | |
| Financing activities | – | – | – | |
| Issue of ordinary shares | 3 | – | 111.7 | – |
| Dividends Paid | 4 | – | (111.7) | – |
| Net cash inflow from financing activities | – | – | – | |
| Net increase in cash and cash equivalents | – | – | – | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year | – | – | – | |
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of year | – | – | – | |
Note The accompanying notes form an integral part of this cash flow statement.
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
|
|---|---|---|
| Assets | – | – |
| Liabilities | – | – |
| Net assets | – | – |
| Equity | – | – |
Note The accompanying notes form an integral part of this balance sheet.
| Notes | Share capital £m |
Distributable Reserve £m |
Total £m |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issue of ordinary shares | – | – | – | |
| Capital reduction | – | – | – | |
| Dividends | – | – | – | |
| At 31 December 2008 | – | – | – | |
| Issue of ordinary shares | 3 | 167.6 | – | 167.6 |
| Capital reduction | 3 | (167.6) | 167.6 | – |
| Dividends | 4 | – | (167.6) | (167.6) |
| At 31 December 2009 | – | – | – | |
| Issue of ordinary shares | 3 | 187.0 | – | 187.0 |
| Capital reduction | 3 | (187.0) | 187.0 | – |
| Dividends | 4 | – | (187.0) | (187.0) |
| At 31 December 2010 | – | – | – |
Note
The accompanying notes form an integral part of this statement of changes in equity.
WPP DAS Limited (the "Trust") was established on 9 July 2008 by WPP plc ("WPP"). The Trust is governed by the applicable laws of England and Wales and is a resident for tax purposes in the United Kingdom, WPP is a resident for tax purposes in the Republic of Ireland. The Trust is a wholly owned subsidiary of WPP 2008 Limited which is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of WPP plc.
WPP DAS Limited was formed as part of WPP's Dividend Access Plan, which was primarily designed to ensure that WPP share owners may continue to receive UK dividends, meaning in particular that under the Dividend Access Plan, no Irish tax is required to be withheld from the payment of dividends to share owners. To facilitate WPP's Dividend Access Plan, the Trust issued one dividend access share to the trustee. WPP share owners will not have any interest in the dividend access share and will not have any rights against the Trust as the issuer of the dividend access share. The only assets held in trust for the benefit of share owners will be dividends paid to the trustee in respect of the dividend access share.
To ensure compliance with UK trust law rules, the period during which the dividend access trust may continue is restricted. However, the dividend access trust under current law is able to continue for 80 years.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention and in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) as they apply to the financial statements of the Trust for the year ended 31 December 2010.
The financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors and authorised for issue on 29 April 2011.
An income statement and a statement of comprehensive income are not presented with these financial statements because the Trust did not receive income, incur expense or recognise any gain or loss during the period under review.
The directors received no remuneration during the period for services to the Trust. The Trust had no other employees during the period. All operating expenses, including the auditors' remuneration of £1,000, were borne by WPP 2005 Limited.
The functional currency of the Trust is pounds sterling.
The Trust is not required to withhold at source any amount in respect of UK tax from dividend payments it makes under the Dividend Access Plan regardless of who the recipient of the payments is.
In July 2008 the Trust issued 1 ordinary share with a nominal value of £1 to WPP 2008 Limited and in April 2009 the Trust issued 1 non-voting dividend access share with a nominal value of £1.
On 30 June 2009 the Trust issued 111,691,009 ordinary shares of £1 each to another Group company and on the same date a capital reduction was performed. On 30 October 2009 the Trust issued a further 55,865,345 ordinary shares of £1 each and on the same date a capital reduction was performed. As a result of this transaction the Trust remained with called-up share capital of 1 ordinary share of £1 and 1 dividend access share of £1.
On 25 March 2010 the Trust issued 117,301,956 ordinary shares of £1 each to another Group company and on the same date a capital reduction was performed. On 28 October 2010 the Trust issued a further 69,706,978 ordinary shares of £1 each and on the same date a capital reduction was performed. As a result of this transaction the Trust remained with called-up share capital of 1 ordinary share of £1 and 1 dividend access share of £1.
| 2010 £m |
2009 £m |
2008 £m |
|---|---|---|
| – | 111.7 | – |
| – | 55.9 | – |
| 117.3 | – | – |
| 69.7 | – | – |
| 187.0 | 167.6 | – |
This dividend was settled in cash by another Group company on behalf of the Trust. 1
| Exhibit No. 4.23 |
Exhibit Title Service Agreement in the USA, effective 26 November 2010, between WPP Group USA, Inc. and Sir Martin Sorrell. |
|---|---|
| 8.1 | List of subsidiaries. |
| 12.1 | Certification of Group Chief Executive. |
| 12.2 | Certification of Group Finance Director. |
| 13.1 | Certification of Group Chief Executive under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
| 13.2 | Certification of Group Finance Director under 18 U.S.C. Section 1350. |
| 14.1 | Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. |
We hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of the original Dated 01/12/2010
HAMMONDS LLP 7, DEVONSHIRE SQUARE LONDON EC2M 4YH Hammonds LLP
DATED 26 NOVEMBER 2010
WPP GROUP USA, INC (1) and
SIR MARTIN STUART SORRELL (2)
SERVICE AGREEMENT
in the USA effective 26 November 2010
Hammonds LLP 7 Devonshire Square London EC2M 4YH DX 136546 Bishopsgate 2 Telephone +44 (0)20 7655 1000 Fax +44 (0)20 7655 1001
Website www.hammonds.com
Reference WPP.2-1375
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and the Executive (individually a "Party" and together the "Parties") agree that the 2004 Agreement is hereby amended and restated, effective 26 November, 2010 to read in its entirety as follows:
"Affiliate" of a person or other entity shall mean a person or other entity that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with the person or other entity specified.
"Appointment Letter" means the agreement between WPP plc (1) and Sir Martin Stuart Sorrell (2) dated even date relating to the Executive's directorship of the Parent and which is effective from 19 November 2008.
"Base Salary" shall mean the salary provided for in clause 7.1 below or any increased salary granted to the Executive pursuant to clause 7.1.
"Board" shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.
"Compensation Committee" shall mean the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Parent.
"Director's Fee" means the fee payable to the Executive under the Appointment Letter.
"Group" shall mean the Company and the Parent together with their Subsidiaries and Affiliates and "Group Company" shall be anyone of them.
"LEAP" shall mean the WPP Group plc Leadership Equity Acquisition Plan adopted by the share owners of WPP Group plc (now WPP 2008 Limited) on 16 April 2004, as amended.
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"LEAP III" shall mean the WPP plc Leadership Equity Acquisition Plan III adopted by the share owners of WPP plc on 2 June 2009, as amended.
"Parent" shall mean WPP plc a company incorporated in Jersey with registered number 101749.
"Schedule" shall mean Schedule 1 attached hereto.
"Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which the Parent owns, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of the Voting Stock.
"Term of Employment" shall mean the period specified in clause 3 below.
"UK Employment Contract" shall mean an agreement between WPP 2005 Limited and the Executive which is effective from 19 November 2008.
"Voting Power" shall mean the number of votes available to be cast (determined by reference to the maximum number of votes entitled to be cast by the holders of such Voting Stock upon any matter submitted to stockholders where the holders of all Voting Stock vote together as a single class) by the holders of Voting Stock.
"Voting Stock" shall mean capital stock of any class or classes having general voting power under ordinary circumstances, in the absence of contingencies, to elect the Executives of a corporation.
3.1 The Company hereby agrees to continue to employ the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts such continued employment and, subject to clause 15, the Company and the Executive
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can terminate the Term of Employment by written notice taking effect immediately on the date of its service on the other party, in which event the Executive's employment with the Company shall terminate as of the date of such notice. Any notice to terminate the Term of Employment given by either the Executive or the Company (other than a notice by the Company pursuant to clause 15.1 hereof) shall be deemed to be a notice given by such party on the grounds of the Executive's retirement and upon giving such notice, the Executive shall be deemed to have retired and qualified for retirement treatment for purposes of all plans, policies, programs, arrangements of, or other agreements with, the Company or any Group Company. If such notice is given by the Company, the termination of the Term of Employment shall be treated, for purposes of section 409A of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") and the regulations, rulings, notices and other guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") thereunder or interpreting same (collectively, "Code section 409A"), as an involuntary separation from service, with respect to any amounts that become payable to the Executive upon such termination hereunder, or under any other plan, policy, program arrangement of, or other agreement with, the Company or any Group Company and that are treated as deferred compensation for purposes of Code section 409A. In the event of any termination of the Term of Employment, save as provided in clauses 3.2,15.4,15.5, 15.6 and 19 below, the Executive will have no entitlement to any further payments from the Company hereunder and he hereby irrevocably waives any entitlement to notice or pay and/or benefits in lieu of any period of notice. Nothing in this clause 3.1 shall prejudice the Company's right to terminate the Term of Employment hereunder pursuant to clause 15.1 hereof.
3.2 Following termination of the Term of Employment the Executive shall continue to be entitled to receive amounts due hereunder which are accrued up to and including the date on which the employment terminates but not yet paid, subject to any adjustment under clause 7.2 and/or clause 12.3, if applicable.
Save for the Director's Fee and unless otherwise agreed in writing between the Company and the Executive the Executive shall not be entitled to any director's fees from the Company or from any Group Company in addition to the remuneration payable by the Company to the Executive hereunder; provided that if the Executive is at any time removed from the office of director whether of the Company or the Parent (other than as a consequence of the Executive being terminated in accordance with clauses 15.1 or 15.2 of this Agreement) the Term of Employment shall automatically terminate and such termination shall be deemed to be by the Company for a reason other than provided for in clauses 15.1 or 15.2 of this Agreement.
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6.1 The Executive shall work at such times and for such periods as the efficient and conscientious discharge of his duties hereunder shall reasonably require. There are no normal working hours for the Executive. The Company acknowledges that the Executive has obligations under the Appointment Letter and the UK Employment Contract for the provision of his services which will affect the time during which and the times at which he can discharge his duties under this Agreement.
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the Executive, provided always that the Company and the Parent will act reasonably and will consult with the Executive prior to making any changes to the companies in the peer group.
The performance levels and the criteria for achieving them will be agreed between the Executive and the Company in respect of each year and will take into account the following criteria inter alia:
Adjustments shall be made in relation to the Parent and the peer group of companies referred to above as necessary to enable an accurate comparison of performance to be made, provided always that the Company and the Parent will act reasonably and will consult with the Executive prior to making any such adjustments.
The total bonus comprising each of the three components shall be targeted so as to equal 100 per cent of the Base Salary under clause 7.1 as at 31 December of the relevant year (calculated in accordance with the Schedule) and the maximum bonus shall be 200 per cent of that Base Salary.
The Executive and the Compensation Committee may agree from time to time an alternative structure for determining the amount of the bonus payable under this clause, including the target and maximum amounts of that bonus.
8.2 If either the Executive or the Company terminates the Term of Employment for whatever reason (and in the Company's case other than pursuant to clause 15.1 hereof), after the end of the performance period to which the bonus period refers but prior to the payment date of any such bonus, the Executive will continue to be treated on the same basis as if he were employed on the relevant payment date. For the avoidance of doubt, if the Executive or Company terminate the Term of Employment at any time before the end of the performance period referred to then the Executive loses all and any rights under this clause and the Executive has no rights against the Company and/or Parent in respect of the same except as otherwise provided pursuant to the applicable annual incentive plan.
The Executive shall have no entitlement to participate in any incentive arrangements for executives, except as expressly provided herein, or as agreed in writing in advance by the
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Company or the Parent. The Executive shall be entitled at the discretion of the Compensation Committee to participate in the WPP 2004 Leadership Equity Acquisition Plan, the WPP Performance Share Plan and such other plans and arrangements which at the discretion of such Compensation Committee shall be made available for the most senior executives of the Company and the Group Companies, subject always to the rules of the applicable plan or scheme.
The Executive is authorised to incur reasonable expenses in carrying out his duties and responsibilities under this Agreement and the Company shall promptly reimburse him for all business expenses incurred in connection with carrying out the business of the Company, subject to documentation in accordance with the Company's policy.
To the extent that the reimbursement of any expenses or the provision of any in-kind benefits under this clause 10, or under clause 5.1, clause 5.2 or clause 11 hereof, is subject to Code section 409A, (i) the amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind benefits to be provided, during any one calendar year shall not affect the amount of such expenses eligible for reimbursement, or in-kind, benefits to be provided, in any other calendar year; (ii) reimbursement of any such expense shall be made by no later than 31 December of the year following the calendar year in which such expense is incurred; and (iii) the Executive's right to receive such reimbursements or in-kind benefits shall not be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit
The Company shall make available to the Executive as required a car and driver appropriate for his sole use. The Company shall maintain, service, and comprehensively insure the car as appropriate and shall arrange for the supply to the Executive of fuel for his use in such car. The Company shall also pay the cost and shall reimburse the Executive for his reasonable properly vouchered club expenses incurred in connection with the Company's business in accordance with Company policy as from time to time in effect.
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Contribution will be paid or funded, as the case may be, on the first day of January of each year during the Term of Employment under this Agreement in respect of the year for which it is paid equal to 40% of the Aggregate Pensions Provision (as defined in the Schedule) at that time, shall be paid or funded in equal instalments in arrears on 31 March, 30 June, 30 September and 31 December in respect of the year for which it is paid. All necessary adjustments to reflect US Time (as defined in the Schedule) shall be made at regular times during the year in accordance with the understanding between the Parties.
Subject to clause 3.1, the Company shall continue to pay to the Executive all sums due to him (without deduction) during any period of absence from work due to his illness or disability.
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Agreement and in particular to act as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Whether or not the Executive is permanently incapacitated shall be determined by a medical doctor selected by the Parties, and in default of agreement by such medical doctor appointed by the President of the British Medical Association.
15.3 If the Term of Employment under the UK Employment Contract terminates for any reason whatsoever the Company or the Executive (as the case may be) may terminate the Term of Employment hereunder, provided that any such termination shall be deemed to be on the same basis as the Term of Employment under the UK Employment Contract, as the case may be, was terminated.
15.4
(a) Subject always to the provisions of clause 15.5, in the event it shall be determined that any payment, benefit, entitlement or distribution in the nature of compensation (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) to or for the benefit of the Executive by the Company or any Group Company, whether paid or payable pursuant to this Agreement or otherwise (a "Payment"), would be subject to any excise tax imposed by Section 4999 of the Code (any such excise tax, together with any interest or penalties imposed with respect thereto, are hereinafter collectively referred to as the "Excise Tax"), then the Executive shall be entitled to receive an additional payment (a "Gross-Up Payment") in an amount such that and subject to the adjustments pursuant to the provision of clause 15.5, after payment by the Executive of all taxes, whether imposed under United States or United Kingdom tax laws, including, without limitation, any income, employment, excise or other taxes (which shall include social security, Medicare and similar imposts) and any interest or penalties imposed with respect thereto, the Executive retains an amount of the Gross-Up Payment equal to the Excise Tax imposed upon the Payment All determinations required to be made pursuant to this clause, including whether any Excise Tax is payable with respect to any Payment and if so, the amount thereof, whether and when a Gross-Up Payment is required, the amount of such Gross-Up Payment and the assumptions to be utilised in arriving at such determinations, shall be made by an independent auditor (the "Auditor") jointly selected by the Company and the Executive and paid by the Company. The Auditor shall be a nationally recognised United States public accounting firm which has not during the two years preceding the date of its selection, acted in any way on behalf of the Company or any Group Company. If the Executive and the Company cannot agree on the firm to serve as the Auditor, then the Executive and the Company shall each select one accounting firm and those two firms shall jointly select the accounting firm to serve as the Auditor. The Auditor shall be requested to provide detailed supporting calculations both to the Company and the Executive within 30 business days of a request for a determination by the Company. The Executive may request such determination by providing written notice thereof to the Company, which will promptly thereafter make such a request of the Auditor. The Auditor shall also make any determination as to whether any Payment shall be required to be reduced pursuant to Rule 11.1 of LEAP or LEAP III, as applicable. in the event the Auditor determines that the Executive will be better off with a reduction (after taking into account all arrangements between the Company and the Executive including the arrangement for the Gross-Up Payment pursuant to this clause 15.4(a)) such reduction shall be made even if not required by the terms of Rule 11.1 of LEAP or LEAP III, as applicable. If the Auditor determines that any reduction is so required, the Payments to be reduced, and the reduction to be made to such Payments, shall be determined by the Auditor in its sole discretion in a manner which will result in the least economic cost to the
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Executive, and if the reduction with respect to two or more Payments would result in equivalent economic cost to the Executive, such Payments shall be reduced in the inverse chronological order of the dates on which such Payments were otherwise scheduled to be made to the Executive, until the required reduction has been fully achieved.
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case the Company shall pay such Excise Tax to the applicable taxing authorities on the Executive's behalf on or before the expiration of such 30 day period and shall indemnify and hold harmless the Executive, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or income or employment taxes (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed on the Executive by reason of the Company's payment of such Excise Tax), the Executive shall:
provided, however, that the Company shall bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including additional interest and penalties) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify the Executive for and hold the Executive harmless from, on an after-tax basis, any Excise Tax or income or employment tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of the Company's payment of all costs and expenses related to such contest. Furthermore, the Company's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Executive shall be entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the IRS or other taxing authority, including any liability for Excise Tax in respect of which no Gross-Up Payment is payable.
(d) If, following a payment by the Company of an Excise Tax amount on the Executive's behalf pursuant to clause 15.4(c), the Executive becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to any amount so paid by the Company, the Executive shall promptly after its receipt by him pay to the Company the amount of such refund (together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes) including, without limitation, any income, employment, excise and other taxes (which shall include social security, Medicare and similar imposts) applicable thereto). Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall be entitled to apply as an offset against the amount payable by him to the Company pursuant to the preceding sentence any amounts which, at the time of the Executive's receipt of the refund referred to therein, the Company is still obligated to pay to the Executive with respect to its undertakings under clause 15.4(c) above (i) to bear and pay all costs and expenses in connection with the Executive's pursuing its claim for such refund at the Company's request, (ii) to indemnify the Executive on an after-tax basis for any Excise Tax or income or employment tax (including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed on the Executive by reason of the Company paying such costs and expenses, (iii) to indemnify the Executive on an after-tax basis for any Excise Tax or income or employment tax imposed on the Executive by reason of the Company paying the Excise Tax sought to be recovered by means of such claim for refund. If, after payment by the Company of an Excise Tax amount on the Executive's behalf pursuant to clause 15.4(c), a determination is made that
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the Executive shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to the Excise Tax amount so paid and the Company does not notify the Executive in writing of its intent to contest such denial of refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after such determination, then the amount of the Excise Tax so paid shall offset, to the extent thereof, the amount of the Gross-Up Payment required to be paid by the Company in respect of the Excise Tax asserted in the Claim contested by means of such refund suit
and that such adjustments as are necessary to give effect to that principle will be made to the calculation of the amount payable under clause 15.4 and including the following principles:
For the avoidance of doubt the Company shall not be required to make any Gross-Up Payment with respect to any Excise Taxes that are not actually paid by or on behalf of the Executive.
15.6 Notwithstanding any provision in clause 15.4 or clause 15.5 to the contrary, any Gross-up Payment payable to the Executive thereunder or any indemnification to be made thereunder to
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the Executive with respect to any Excise Tax or income or employment taxes payable by him and interest or penalties imposed with respect thereto, shall be made to the Executive by no later that the date by which the Excise Tax, income or employment taxes, interest or penalties to which such Gross-up Payment or indemnification relates are due and payable to the applicable taxing authorities, or if the amount of such Gross-up Payment or indemnification cannot be determined as of such date, as soon thereafter as it can be determined but in any event by no later that by December 31 of the year following the year in which such taxes, interest or penalties are remitted to the applicable taxing authorities.
15.7 Notwithstanding the foregoing, with regard to any payment to be made to the Executive by the Company hereunder, the Company shall be required to withhold taxes and transmit such taxes to the appropriate governmental authority in accordance with applicable law, and any payment made to the Executive by the Company hereunder shall be net of such withholding.
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of use or divulging be considered confidential or proprietary to, or capable of protection by, the Company in accordance with customary business practices in the United States of America;
This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parties and their respective successors, heirs (in the case of the Executive) and assigns. No rights or obligations of the Company under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Company except that such rights or obligations may be assigned or transferred pursuant to a merger or consolidation in which the Company is not the continuing entity, or the sale or liquidation of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company, provided that the assignee or transferee is the successor to all or substantially all of the assets of the Company and such assignee or transferee assumes the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company, as contained in this Agreement, either contractually or as a matter of law. The Company further agrees that, in the event of a sale of assets or liquidation as described in the preceding sentence, the Company shall take whatever action it legally can in order to cause such assignee or transferee to expressly assume the liabilities, obligations and duties of the Company hereunder. No rights or obligations of the Executive under this Agreement may be assigned or transferred by the Executive other than his rights to compensation and benefits, which may be transferred only by will or operation of law except as provided in clause 26 below.
18.1 No failure to exercise or delay in exercising or enforcing any right or remedy under this Agreement shall constitute a waiver thereof and no single or partial exercise or enforcement of any right or remedy under this Agreement shall preclude or restrict the further exercise or enforcement of any such right or remedy. The rights and remedies of the Parties are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights and remedies provided by law.
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18.2 Except as otherwise provided in the second sentence of this clause 18.2, time shall not be of the essence in this Agreement, but may be made so on the giving of not less than two clear days' (other than a Saturday, Sunday or public holiday in England and Wales) notice to that effect after any failure to comply with any provision of this Agreement To the extent required to avoid any violation of the requirements of Code section 409A, time shall be of the essence as to the provisions herein specifying the time for payment of any amount payable to the Executive that is subject to Code section 409A, or that would be subject to Code section 409A if not paid by the time specified herein for the payment of such amount.
Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in this Agreement or in any plan maintained by the Company or any of its Affiliates in which the Executive is a participant or in any other agreement
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between the Executive and the Company and any of its Affiliates (each such plan or agreement a "Plan"), if the Executive is a "specified employee" within the meaning of Code section 409A at the time of his "separation from service" with the Company and all of its Affiliates within the meaning of Code section 409A (as determined by the Company and its Affiliates), then any payment otherwise required to be made to the Executive under any Plan on account of the Executive's separation from service, to the extent such payment (after taking into account all exclusions applicable to such payment under Code section 409A) is properly treated as deferred compensation subject to Code section 409A's requirements, shall not be made until the first business day after (i) the expiration of six (6) months from the date of the Executive's separation from service, or (ii) if earlier, the date of the Executive's death (the "Delayed Payment Date"). On the Delayed Payment Date, there shall be paid to the Executive or, if the Executive has died, to the Executive's estate, all payments delayed pursuant to the preceding sentence, plus, in the case of any cash amounts payment of which was so delayed, interest thereon at the Delayed Payment Interest Rate (as defined below) computed from the date on which each such delayed payment otherwise would have been made to the Executive until the Delayed Payment Date. For purposes of the foregoing, the "Delayed Payment Interest Rate" shall mean the national average annual rate of interest payable on jumbo six-month bank certificates of deposit, as quoted in the business section of the most recently published Sunday edition of The New York Times preceding the date as of which the Executive is treated as having incurred a separation from service for purposes of Section 409A. In the case of each Plan under which the Executive is entitled to receive amounts treated as deferred compensation subject to the Code section 409A and which provides for payment of such amounts in the form of "a series of installment payments", as defined in Treas. Reg. §1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii), (A) the Executive's right to receive such payments shall be treated as a right to receive a series of separate payments under Treas. Reg. §1.409A-2(b)(2)(iii), and (B) to the extent such Plan does not already so provide, it is hereby amended to so provide, with respect to amounts payable to the Executive thereunder.
The Company represents and warrants that it is fully authorised and empowered to enter into this Agreement and that the performance of its obligations under this Agreement will not violate any agreement between it or any other person, firm or organisation. The Executive represents that he knows of no agreement between him and any other person, firm or organisation (other than the UK Employment Contract and the Appointment Letter) that would be violated by the performance of his obligations under this Agreement
This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement between the Parties concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and undertakings, whether written or oral, between discussions, negotiations and undertakings, whether written or oral, between the Parties with respect thereto including the agreement entered into on 16 August 2004 (other than any agreements with respect to any outstanding equity awards, including equity agreements providing for settlement in cash or other non-equity assets).
No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment is agreed to in writing and signed by the Executive and an authorised officer of the Company (other than the
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Executive). No waiver by either Party of any breach by the other Party of any condition or provision contained in this Agreement to be performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or dissimilar condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time. Any waiver must be in writing and signed by the Executive or an authorised officer of the Company (other than the Executive), as the case may be.
In the event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in part, the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.
The respective rights and obligations of the Parties under this Agreement shall survive any termination of the Term of Employment to the extent necessary to the intended preservation of such rights and obligations.
The Executive shall be entitled, to the extent permitted under any applicable law to select and change a beneficiary or beneficiaries to receive any compensation or benefit payable hereunder following the Executive's death by giving the Company written notice thereof. In the event of the Executive's death or a judicial declaration of his incompetence, reference in this Agreement to the Executive shall be deemed, where appropriate, to refer to his beneficiary, estate or other legal representative.
28.1 Any notice required or permitted to be given hereunder shall be given in writing delivered personally or sent by first class post prepaid recorded delivery (or if via United States mail, by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested) or by telefax to the Company at its registered office from time to time (or such address as it may have notified to the
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Executive in accordance with this clause) or to the Executive at the last address notified to the Company.
28.2 Any notice delivered personally shall be deemed to be received when delivered to the address referred to in clause 28.1 and any notice sent by pre-paid recorded delivery post (or if via United States mail, by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested) shall be deemed (in the absence of evidence of earlier receipt) to be received two days after posting and in proving the time of dispatch it shall be sufficient to show that the envelope containing such notice was properly addressed, stamped and posted. A notice sent by telefax shall be deemed to have been received on receipt by the sender of the correct "answerback".
The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement.
Where any amount is expressed as a sterling amount it shall be converted into United States dollars at the rate prevailing on the due date for payment and paid in United States Dollars.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts.
WPP Group USA, Inc.
By:
Sir Martin Stuart Sorrell
By: Martin Sorrell
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1 In addition to the definitions above in this Agreement, the following words and expressions shall have the following meanings except where inconsistent with the context.
"Aggregate Time" the aggregate of US Time and Services Time in respect of a calendar year.
"Aggregate Basic Income" means, as at the date of this Agreement the sum of £1,000,000 per annum as that sum may be adjusted pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Schedule 1.
"Aggregate Pensions Provision" the aggregate of the Pensions Contribution payable in respect of a calendar year under clause 12.3 of this Agreement and the Pensions Contributions payable under clause 11.3 of the UK Employment Contract being at the date of this Agreement £400,000 and subsequently such higher sum as may be agreed between the Company and the Executive for any year before the first day of January of that year, which in no event shall be less than 40% of the Aggregate Basic Income.
"Services Time" the aggregate of the amount of time (computed in working days) which the Director has spent during a calendar year in the provision of services pursuant to the UK Employment Contract as the case may be.
"US Time" the aggregate of the amount of time (computed in working days) which the Director has spent during a calendar year in performing the duties of his employment pursuant to this Agreement.
2 The annual Base Salary payable under clause 7.1 of the Agreement shall be calculated by applying the following formula:
Amount of annual Base Salary = US Time Aggregate Basic Income x
Pensions Contribution = Aggregate US Time Pensions Provision x
5 At all times and immediately after the end of each calendar year, the Executive will provide to the Company full details of the Aggregate Time, including US Time which the Executive has spent in that calendar year. The Company is entitled to rely without inquiry on any notice of the amount of Aggregate Time and US Time which the Executive has provided to the Company for any calendar year.
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JURISDICTION
United States 141 Hawaii, LLC Delaware 141 Worldwide Boomerang Inc. Delaware 24/7 Real Media US, Inc. Delaware 24/7 Real Media, Inc. Delaware A. Eicoff & Company, Inc. Delaware AAD:Fitch Architecture, PLLC New York AAD:Fitch, Inc. Arizona Absolute Color LLC Delaware Advertising Ventures Inc. Delaware All Global LLC New York Avenue Grey Inc. Delaware Avon Group, Inc. Connecticut Baker, Winokur, Ryder, Inc. California Barleycorn LLC Delaware Bates Advertising USA, Inc. New York Bates Worldwide, Inc. Delaware Berlin, Cameron & Partners, Inc. Delaware Blast Radius, Inc. Delaware Blue Interactive Marketing Inc. Delaware Blue Sky Green LLC Delaware Blue State Digital Inc. Delaware BrandEdge Inc. Delaware Bridge Worldwide LLC Delaware BSB Club Bar, Inc. New York Burson-Marsteller, LLC Delaware Capital IV LLC Delaware Center Partners, Inc. Delaware Cheskin California Cole & Weber, Inc. Oregon Commodore Thompson Music, Inc. Delaware Compas, Inc. New Jersey Compete, Inc. Delaware Competitive Media Reporting, LLC Delaware Cordiant Finance, Inc. Delaware Cordiant US Holdings, Inc. Delaware Crescendo Productions Inc. New York Current Medical Directions, LLC Delaware Cygnet Holdings Inc. Delaware Cymfony, Inc. Delaware Datacore Marketing, LLC Delaware Dewey Square Group, LLC Delaware Digitaria Interactive, Inc. California Direct.com LLC Delaware Drummer Associates, Inc. California DynamicLogic, Inc. Delaware
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
COMPANY NAME UNDER WHICH ORGANISED Elemental Interactive Design & Development Inc. Georgia Enfatico LLC Delaware Extension 11, Inc. California Eyepatch LA Inc. California Eyepatch Productions, Inc. New York FAST4WD Ogilvy US, Inc. Delaware Finsbury US LLC Delaware Fitch Inc. Ohio Food Group, Inc. New York Fortelligent LLC Delaware FOVA Inc. Delaware Future Vision Media LLC Michigan G2 Refinery LLC Delaware G2 Worldwide Inc. New York Geoff Howe Marketing Communications, Inc. Missouri Global Strategies Holding Inc. Delaware Global Strategies International, LLC Connecticut Go Direct LLC Delaware Good Neighbor Foundation Inc. New York Grey Direct Services Inc. Delaware Grey Global Atlanta Inc. Delaware Grey Global Group Inc. Delaware Grey Healthcare Group Inc. New York Grey IFC 2 LLC Delaware Grey IFC LLC Delaware Grey India Inc. Delaware Grey Maryland LLC Delaware Grey Ventures Inc. Delaware Grey Worldwide Inc. (US) Delaware Grey Worldwide Los Angeles Inc. Delaware Group M Movie Entertainment Holdings Inc. Delaware Group M Movie Entertainment, Inc. Delaware Group M Worldwide, Inc. Delaware GWE Inc. New York HealthAnswers Education LLC Delaware Healthworld Corporation Delaware Healthworld International Holdings Inc. Delaware Hi Resolution Inc. New York Hill & Knowlton/Samcor LLC Delaware Hill and Knowlton, Inc. Delaware HLS Holding LLC (DEL) Delaware Hurd Studios Inc. Delaware I-Behavior Inc. Delaware
COMPANY NAME Icodia Inc. California icon International, Inc. Delaware IEG, LLC Delaware Imaginet LLC Minnesota Innovative Customer Solutions LLC Delaware Insight Medical Communications Inc. Delaware International Meetings & Science Inc. Delaware J. Walter Thompson Company Delaware J. Walter Thompson Company Caribbean Delaware J. Walter Thompson Company Peruana Delaware J. Walter Thompson Far Eastern Company Delaware J. Walter Thompson U.S.A., Inc. Delaware J. Walter Thompson Venture Company, Limited Delaware JWT - Music, Inc. Delaware JWT Holdings, Inc. Delaware JWT SO5 LLC Delaware JWT Specialized Communications, Inc. California JWT/OgilvyAction Inc. Delaware JWTWO Productions LLC Delaware Kantar Health Inc. Delaware Kantar Media Research, Inc. Delaware Kantar Retail America, Inc. Delaware Kantar Retail LLC Delaware Kazaam! Inc. New York KMR Holdings Inc. Delaware KnowledgeBase Marketing Inc. Delaware Landor Associates International Ltd. California Landor Ohio LLC Delaware Landor, LLC Delaware Leopard Communications Inc. Colorado Level 2 Post LLC Delaware Lighthouse Global Network, Inc. Delaware Lightspeed Online Research LLC Delaware LiveWorld-WPP, L.L.C. Delaware Local Marketing Corporation Ohio Love Bug Productions LLC Delaware M 80 Services, Inc. California Marketing and Planning Systems LLC Delaware Marketing Direct LLC Delaware Mather Productions, LLC Delaware Maxus Communications LLC Delaware
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
Promotion Mechanics, Inc. Delaware
COMPANY NAME Public Relations & International Sports Marketing, Inc. Delaware Public Strategies, Inc. Texas Quinn Gillespie & Associates LLC Delaware Rasor Communications Inc. Delaware Rasor Holdings Inc. Delaware Red Magasin, Inc. Delaware RedWorks, Inc. Delaware Reese Communications Companies, Inc. District Of Columbia Ring Retail LLC Delaware Robinson Lerer & Montgomery, LLC Delaware S&S MCC and MCC. Inc. New York Schematic Inc. California Schematic Latin America, LLC Delaware SCPF America LLC Delaware Secondary Holding Company L.L.C. Delaware Sentinel Productions, Ltd. New York Soho Square Public Relations Inc. New York Soho Square, Inc. Delaware Spafax Airline Network Inc. Delaware Strategic Information Management, Inc. Indiana Studio 466 Inc. New York Studio 58 Inc. Delaware Studiocom.com Inc. Georgia Sudler & Hennessey, LLC Delaware Summit Grey Inc. New York Taxi, Inc. Delaware TeamDetroit Stat LLC Delaware TeamDetroit, Inc. Delaware Ted Bates Worldwide Inc. New York Tempus Group North America Holdings LLC Delaware The Brand Union Company, Inc. New York The Farm LA, Inc. Delaware The Focus Network Inc. New York The GCI Group LLC Delaware The Geppetto Group LLC Delaware The Harvard Group Inc. New York The Leonhardt Group Inc. Washington The Leverage Group Inc. New York
| JURISDICTION | |
|---|---|
| UNDER | |
| WHICH | |
| ORGANISED | |
COMPANY NAME The Midas Exchange Inc. Delaware The Ogilvy Group, Inc. New York The Partners (Brand Consultants) LLC Delaware The Reality Shop Inc. Delaware The Tape Center Inc. Delaware TNS Acquisition 2010, Inc. Delaware TNS Custom Research, Inc. Pennsylvania TNS Ireland LLC Delaware TNS Media Research, LLC Delaware TNS North America, Inc. Delaware Umagination Labs, L.P. Delaware VF Holding I Inc. Delaware VML, Inc. Missouri Vogel-Farina LLC Delaware WPP Deliver LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Eight) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Eighteen) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Eleven) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Fifteen) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Five) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Four) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Fourteen) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Nine) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Nineteen) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (One) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Seven) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Seventeen) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Six) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Sixteen) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Ten) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Thirteen) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Three) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Twelve) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Twenty) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Twenty-One) LLC Delaware
UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
JURISDICTION
COMPANY NAME WPP Dotcom Holdings (Twenty-Three) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Twenty-Two) LLC Delaware WPP Dotcom Holdings (Two) LLC Delaware WPP Finance Square LLC Delaware WPP Global Technology Services LLC Delaware WPP Group Holdings Corp. Delaware WPP Group Holdings Corp. II Delaware WPP Group Management Inc. Delaware WPP Group MTV III Holding LLC Delaware WPP Group U.S. Finance Corp. Delaware WPP Group US Investments, Inc. Delaware WPP Group USA, Inc. Delaware WPP Luxembourg Square LLC Delaware WPP Properties Delaware WPP Team Chemistry LLC Delaware WPP US Holdings, Inc. Delaware WPP/MIG Holdings, LLC Delaware WPPIH 2001, Inc. Delaware WPPTP Marketing, LLC IN Delaware Wunderman Media LLC Delaware Wunderman Worldwide, LLC Nevada Y&R Asia Holdings Inc. Delaware Y&R Far East Holdings Inc. Delaware Y&R Latin American Holding Co. Delaware Y&R PARTNER THREE L.L.C. Delaware Y&R Properties Holdings One LLC Delaware Y&R SNC Holdings-II, L.L.C. Delaware Yankelovich Holdings Inc. Delaware Yankelovich Partners LLC Delaware York Merger Square 2004 LLC Delaware York Merger Square 2009 Corp. Delaware Young & Rubicam Inc. Delaware Non-US
J Walter Thompson (Algeria) SARL Algeria Taylor Nelson Sofres S.a.r.l. Algeria 141 Bonta S.A. Argentina ADHL S.A. Argentina Burson-Marsteller S.A. Argentina Grey Argentina S.A. Argentina Hill & Knowlton de Argentina S.A. Argentina Información y Decisión Consultores, S.A. Argentina J Walter Thompson Argentina S.A. Argentina JWT S.A. Argentina LatinPanel Argentina S.A. Argentina
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
COMPANY NAME JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED Mediacom Argentina S.A. Argentina MindShare Argentina S.A. Argentina Multigap S.A. Argentina Ogilvy & Mather Argentina S.A. Argentina Red Cell S.A. Argentina Santo Buenos Aires S.A. Argentina SMA S.A. Argentina The Mediaedge S.A. Argentina Thompson Connect Worldwide S.A. Argentina TNS Gallup SA (Argentina) Argentina Wunderman Cato Johnson S.A. Argentina Y&R Inversiones Publicitarias S.A. Argentina Young & Rubicam S.A. Argentina 20:20 Brand Action Pty Limited Australia 24/7 Real Media Pty Ltd. Australia ABKP Ideaworks Pty Ltd. Australia Added Value Australia Pty Limited Australia Beyond Interactive Pty Ltd. Australia Blaze Advertising Pty Ltd. Australia Burson-Marsteller Pty Ltd. Australia Candle Lit Films Pty Ltd. Australia Carl Byoir & Associates Australia Pty. Limited Australia CAW Marketing Pty. Ltd. Australia Chameleon Digital Systems Pty Ltd. Australia Collins Thomas Cullen Pty Ltd. Australia Corplite Pty Ltd. Australia Daipro Pty. Ltd. Australia Dialog Marketing Communications Pty Ltd. Australia ENFATICO PTY LTD. Australia eSaratoga Lab Pty Ltd. Australia EWA Heidelberg Pty Ltd. Australia Expanded Media Holdings Pty Limited Australia Expanded Media Investments Pty Limited Australia Financial & Management Services (Australia) Pty Ltd. Australia Fudge Group Pty Ltd. Australia G2 Graffiti Pty Ltd. Australia G2 Pty Ltd. Australia GCI Group Australia Pty Ltd. Australia George Patterson Partners Pty Limited Australia George Patterson Y&R Pty Limited Australia Glendinning Management Consultants Australia Pty Ltd. Australia
| WHICH | |
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Grey Australia New Zealand Pty. Ltd. | Australia |
| Grey Canberra Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Grey Global Group Australia Pty. Ltd. | Australia |
| Grey Healthcare Pty. Ltd. | Australia |
| Grey Healthcare Unit Trust | Australia |
| Grey Worldwide Pty. Ltd. | Australia |
| Group Employee Services Pty Limited | Australia |
| GroupM Communications Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Hill and Knowlton Australia Pty. Limited | Australia |
| Howorth Communications Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Ideaworks (Holdings) Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Ideaworks Collateral Services Pty Limited | Australia |
| Ideaworks Design Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Ideaworks Environmental Design Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Ideaworks Media Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Impact Employee Communications Pty | |
| Ltd. | Australia |
| Interface Advertising Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| ITX Corporation Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| J Walter Thompson Australia Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Jay Grey Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| JWT Specialised Communications Pty | |
| Limited | Australia |
| Kinetic Worldwide Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Landor Associates Pty Limited | Australia |
| Lightspeed Research Australia Pty Limited | Australia |
| M Media Group Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Marketing Communications Holdings | |
| Australia Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Maxx Marketing Pty Limited | Australia |
| Mediacom Australia Pty Limited | Australia |
| Mediacompete Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Mediaedge:cia Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Millward Brown Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Mindshare Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Motivator Media Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Ogilvy Healthworld Pty Limited | Australia |
| Ogilvy Health PR Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Pty | |
| Limited | Australia |
| Outrider Australia Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| JURISDICTION |
|---|
| UNDER WHICH |
| ORGANISED |
| JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Phase Five Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| PPR (WA) Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| PR Dynamics Australia Pty Limited | Australia |
| Premier Automotive Advertising Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| PRISM Team Australia Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Professional Public Relations Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Pulse Communications Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Research International Australia Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Salespoint Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Sudler & Hennessey Australia Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Taylor Nelson Sofres Asia Pacific Pty Ltd. Taylor Nelson Sofres Australia Proprietary |
Australia |
| Limited | Australia |
| The Added Value Group (Aust.) Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| The Campaign Palace Melbourne Unit | |
| Trust | Australia |
| The Campaign Palace Pty Limited | Australia |
| The Campaign Palace Sydney Unit Trust | Australia |
| The Communications Group Holdings Pty | |
| Ltd. | Australia |
| WhizzbangArt Pty. Ltd. | Australia |
| WPP Holdings (Australia) Pty Ltd. | Australia |
| Wunderman Pty Limited | Australia |
| Young & Rubicam Brands Holding Pty | |
| Ltd. | Australia |
| Young & Rubicam Brands Pty Limited | Australia |
| Young & Rubicam Group Pty Limited | Australia |
| Young & Rubicam Pty Limited | Australia |
| 141 Austria Werbeagentur GmbH | Austria |
| aha puttner red cell Werbeagentur GmbH | Austria |
| DavidO Werbeagentur GmbH | Austria |
| Engage CEE GmbH | Austria |
| GroupM Holding GmbH | Austria |
| International Facilities Holding GmbH | Austria |
| JWT Wien Werbeangentur Gesellschaft | |
| mbH | Austria |
| Maxus Media Communications GmbH | Austria |
| JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED | COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| "MediaCom" Agentur fur Media Beratung, | LDV United NV | Belgium | |
| Planug - Forschung und Einkauf | Ludon SA | Belgium | |
| Gesellschaft m.b.H. | Austria | Marketing Services Risk Surety Ltd. | Belgium |
| Mediaedge:cia GmbH | Austria | Media+ SA | Belgium |
| MindShare GmbH & Co. KG | Austria | Mediaedge:cia Belgium SA | Belgium |
| Ogilvy & Mather CIS Media Services | Mindshare SA | Belgium | |
| GmbH | Austria | NID SA | Belgium |
| Ogilvy & Mather Gesellschaft m.b.H. | Austria | Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide SA | Belgium |
| Ogilvy & Mather Media Services GmbH | Austria | Ogilvy Shared Services SA | Belgium |
| Ogilvy & Mather Media Services | Ogilvy & Mather SA | Belgium | |
| GmbH & Co. KG | Austria | OgilvyOne Worldwide SA | Belgium |
| OgilvyInteractive Worldwide Multimedia | Redworks S.A. | Belgium | |
| Beratung GmbH | Austria | Sobemap Marketing NV | Belgium |
| OgilvyOne worldwide Werbeagentur und | Sudler & Hennessey Belgium SA | Belgium | |
| Marketingberatung GmbH | Austria | Tagora SA | Belgium |
| Red Cell Werbeagentur Gesellschaft mbH | Austria | The European Omnibus Survey scrl | Belgium |
| Redworks GmbH | Austria | These Days NV | Belgium |
| rmg:connect Marketing Gesellschaft mbH | Austria | WPP Algani SNC | Belgium |
| Wunderman Direct Marketing Agentur | WPP Group Services SNC | Belgium | |
| GmbH | Austria | Wunderman NV | Belgium |
| Young & Rubicam Vienna GmbH | Austria | Young & Rubicam Belgium SPRL | Bermuda |
| AMRB MENA W.L.L. | Bahrain | Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide SA | Bolivia |
| Gulf Hill & Knowlton WLL | Bahrain | Redworks S.A. | Bolivia |
| Intermarkets Bahrain S.P.C. | Bahrain | 141 SoHo Square Comunicação Ltda | Brazil |
| J Walter Thompson - Bahrain WLL | Bahrain | 9ine Sports & Entertainment Consultoria | |
| J Walter Thompson Middle East and North | Ltda | Brazil | |
| Africa E.C. | Bahrain | Ação Produções Gráficas e Electrônicas | |
| TNS Middle East & Africa WLL (Bahrain) | Bahrain | Ltda | Brazil |
| Grey Advertising (Bangladesh) Ltd. | Bangladesh | Action Line Telemarketing do Brasil Ltda | Brazil |
| Ogilvy & Mather Communications Private | Bates Latin America Holdings Ltda | Brazil | |
| Limited | Bangladesh | Bates Propaganda e Produções Ltda | Brazil |
| Software People Bangladesh Limited | Bangladesh | Burson Marsteller Ltda | Brazil |
| Behigh SA | Belgium | CBBA Propaganda Ltda | Brazil |
| Burson-Marsteller sprl/bvba | Belgium | DCSNET SA | Brazil |
| Dimarso S.A. | Belgium | Energia Brasil Propaganda Ltda | Brazil |
| Dorland & Grey SA | Belgium | Energia, Y&R Communicações de Varejo | |
| Friday Communications SA | Belgium | Ltda | Brazil |
| GroupM Belgium SA | Belgium | Energy Marketing & Communição Ltda | Brazil |
| Hill & Knowlton International Belgium | G2.Grey Comunicação e Marketing Ltda | Brazil | |
| SA | Belgium | Goldfarb Consultants Brasil Ltda | Brazil |
| J Walter Thompson SA | Belgium | GPAT S.A. - Propaganda e Publicidade | Brazil |
| Kinetic Belgium SA | Belgium | Grey Communição Ltda | Brazil |
| JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED | COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Grey Interactive Ltda | Brazil | Blast Radius Inc. | Canada |
| Grey Zest Direct Marketing e Publicidade | Feinstein Kean Partners - Canada, Ltd. | Canada | |
| Ltda | Brazil | GCI Communications Inc./Communication | |
| Hill & Knowlton Brasil Ltda | Brazil | GCI Inc. | Canada |
| HotWorks Comunicação Ltda | Brazil | Grey Advertising (Vancouver) ULC | Canada |
| ICherry Publicidade E Propoganda Ltda | Brazil | Grey Advertising ULC/Publicite Grey | |
| J Walter Thompson Publicidade Ltda | Brazil | ULC | Canada |
| LatinPanel do Brasil Ltda | Brazil | GroupM Canada Inc. | Canada |
| Marketdata Solutions Brasil Ltda | Brazil | Hill and Knowlton Canada Limited | Canada |
| Marsteller Limitada | Brazil | Hill and Knowlton/Ducharme Perron Ltee | Canada |
| Master Pubicidade SA | Brazil | J. Walter Thompson Company Limited La | |
| Millward Brown do Brasil Ltda | Brazil | Compagnie J. Walter Thompson | |
| Newcomm Holdings Ltda | Brazil | Limitee | Canada |
| Newdesign Participações Ltda | Brazil | Marketforce Communication ULC | Canada |
| Ogilvy Publicidade Ltda | Brazil | Marketing Communication Group Inc. | Canada |
| Ogilvy & Mather Brasil Comunicação | Media Buying Services ULC | Canada | |
| Ltda | Brazil | Media Evolution Technologies Inc. | Canada |
| OgilvyInteractive Brasil Comunicação | Mediacom Canada | Canada | |
| Ltda | Brazil | Mediacom Canada ULC | Canada |
| OgilvyOne Brasil Comunicação Ltda | Brazil | Millward Brown Canada, Inc. | Canada |
| One Publicidade Ltda | Brazil | MindShare Canada | Canada |
| P2All Serviços Temporários Ltda | Brazil | OgilvyAction Quebec Ltd./OgilvyAction | |
| PTR Comunicações Ltda | Brazil | Quebec Ltee | Canada |
| RMG Connect Comunicação Ltda | Brazil | OgilvyOne Worldwide Ltd. | Canada |
| Supermirella Participações Ltda | Brazil | Soho Square Advertising Ltd. | Canada |
| TNS Interscience S.A. | Brazil | Spafax Canada Inc. | Canada |
| TNS Interscience Serviços S.A. | Brazil | Taxi Canada Ltd./Taxi Canada Ltée | Canada |
| TNS Serviços de Pesquisa de Mercado | The Meadow Wood Communication | ||
| Ltda | Brazil | Group Inc. Le Group De | |
| Tribeca Propaganda Publicidade e | Communication Meadow Wood, Inc. | Canada | |
| Participações Ltda | Brazil | The Young & Rubicam Group of | |
| WPP (Curitiba) Participações Ltda | Brazil | Companies ULC | Canada |
| WPP (Porto Alegre) Participações Ltda | Brazil | TNS Canadian Facts Inc. | Canada |
| WPP do Brasil - Participações Ltda | Brazil | WPP Group Canada Communications | |
| Wunderman Brasil Comunicações Ltda | Brazil | Limited | Canada |
| Y&R Propaganda Ltda | Brazil | WPP Group Canada Finance, Inc. | Canada |
| Young & Rubicam do Brasil Ltda | Brazil | WPP Group Quebec Limited / Groupe | |
| Grey Worldwide Bulgaria EOOD | Bulgaria | WPP Québec Limitée | Canada |
| Index AD | Bulgaria | WPP Simcoe Square Ltd. | Canada |
| Research and Marketing Company Limited | Cameroon | Y&R Canada Investments LP | Canada |
| 24/7 Media Canada Holding Company | Canada | ||
| 24/7 Real Media Inc. (Canada) | Canada |
| COMPANY NAME | JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED |
|---|---|
| Actionline Chile SA | Chile |
| Burson-Marsteller Communicaciones | |
| Limitada | Chile |
| Design Direct Chile SA | Chile |
| Energía Young & Rubicam SA | Chile |
| Estrategia Integral de Comunicaciones SA | Chile |
| Glue Chile SAC | Chile |
| Grey Chile SA | Chile |
| GroupM Chile SAC | Chile |
| Hill & Knowlton Captiva SA | Chile |
| Inversiones CI S.A. | Chile |
| J Walter Thompson Chilena SAC | Chile |
| Kantar Worldpanel Chile Investigación de | |
| Mercados Limitada | Chile |
| Media Edge Comunicaciones Chile | |
| Limitada | Chile |
| Ogilvy Action Chile S.A. | Chile |
| Ogilvy & Mather Chile SA | Chile |
| Ogilvyone Chile SA | Chile |
| Prolam Young & Rubicam SA | Chile |
| Spafax Medios y Publicidad Ltda | Chile |
| Time Research Chile S.A. | Chile |
| TNS Chile S.A. | Chile |
| Wunderman Chile Consultoría y | |
| Comunicaciones Ltda | Chile |
| Young Media SA | Chile |
| Agenda (Beijing) Ltd. | China |
| Always (Shanghai) Marketing Services | |
| Co. Ltd. | China |
| BatesApex Integrated Marketing Co. Ltd. | China |
| Beijing Channel Marketing Service Center | |
| Co. Ltd. | China |
| Beijing Contract Advertising Co. Ltd. | China |
| Beijing ITOP 24/7 Co. Ltd. | China |
| Beijing J Walter Thompson Advertising | |
| Co. Ltd. | China |
| Beijing Ogilvyone Marketing Co., Ltd. | China |
| Beijing Soho Square Marketing Co. Ltd. | China |
| Beijing WDT Advertising Co. Ltd. | China |
| Blue Interactive Technology Department | |
| (Beijing) Co. Ltd. | China |
| JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Cohn & Wolfe Marketing | |
| Communications Consulting (Shanghai) | |
| Co. Ltd. | China |
| David Communications (Beijing) Group | |
| Co. Ltd. | China |
| DAYI (Shanghai) Consulting Co. Ltd. | China |
| Effort Ogilvy (Fujian) Advertising Limited | China |
| G2 Aviavision China Sourcing Co. Ltd. | China |
| G2 China Co. Ltd. | China |
| G2 Star Echo Marketing Communications | |
| Co. Ltd. | China |
| Glendinning Management Consultants | |
| (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. | China |
| Grey China Advertising Co. Ltd. (Beijing) | China |
| Grey China Marketing Communications | |
| Co. Ltd. | China |
| GroupM (Shanghai) Advertising Co. Ltd. | China |
| Guangdong Burson-Marsteller Public | |
| Relations Co., Ltd. | China |
| Guangzhou Bates Dahua Advertising Co., | |
| Ltd. | China |
| Guangzhou Dawson Human Resources | |
| Service Co. Ltd. | China |
| Guangzhou Dawson Marketing | |
| Communications Consulting Co. Ltd. | China |
| Guangzhou G2 Aviavision Trading Co. | |
| Ltd. | China |
| Guangzhou G2 Star Echo Human | |
| Resources Co. Ltd. | China |
| Guangzhou Kai Dai Advertising Ltd. | |
| (Batey) | China |
| Guangzhou Win-Lin Management | |
| Consulting Co. Ltd. | China |
| Guangzhou Zdology Market Research Co., | |
| Ltd. | China |
| Hill & Knowlton (China) Public Relations | |
| Co. Ltd. | China |
| H-Line Ogilvy Communications Company | |
| Ltd. | China |
| J. Walter Thompson Bridge Advertising | |
| Co. Ltd. | China |
| UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Kinetic Advertising (Shanghai) Co. Ltd. | China |
| Millward Brown ACSR Co. Ltd. | China |
| Neo@ogilvy Co. Ltd. | China |
| Oracle Added Value Market Research | |
| Company Limited | China |
| PowerForce (Shanghai) Marketing | |
| Services Co. Ltd. | China |
| Red Wasabi Marketing Consulting | |
| (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. | China |
| Research International China (Guangzhou) | |
| Ltd. | China |
| RMG Relationship Marketing Group Ltd. | China |
| Shanghai Bates Evision Digital Marketing | |
| Consulting Co. Ltd. | China |
| Shanghai Bates MeThinks Marketing | |
| Communications Co. Ltd. | China |
| Shanghai Iconmobile Co. Ltd. | China |
| Shanghai Ogilvy & Mather Advertising | |
| Ltd. | China |
| Shanghai Ogilvy & Mather Marketing | |
| Communications Consulting Co. Ltd. | China |
| Shanghai Star Echo Marketing & | |
| Communication Co., Ltd. | China |
| Shanghai Sudler MDS Healthcare | |
| Communications Co., Ltd. | China |
| Shenzhen Black Arc Ogilvy Advertising | |
| Media Limited | China |
| Soho Square Advertising Co. Ltd. | China |
| The Brand Union China | China |
| TNS China Co., Ltd. | China |
| TNS Marketing Consultancy (Shanghai) | |
| Co. Ltd. | China |
| WPP (China) Management Co. Limited | China |
| Young & Rubicam (Beijing) Advertising | |
| Co. Ltd. | China |
| C & C Action Marketing Ltda | Colombia |
| Energía Y&R Ltda. | Colombia |
| G2 Colombia Ltda | Colombia |
| J. Walter Thompson Colombia Ltda | Colombia |
| LatinPanel Perú S.A. Sucursal Colombia | Colombia |
| Mediaedge: Cia Ltda | Colombia |
| Millward Brown Colombia Ltda | Colombia |
| MindShare de Colombia Ltda | Colombia |
| JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED |
|---|
COMPANY NAME Ogilvy & Mather S.A. (Colombia) Colombia REP Grey Worldwide S.A. Colombia RMG Connect Colombia Ltda Colombia SCPF Colombia S.A.S Colombia Young & Rubicam Brands Ltda Colombia J Walter Thompson SA Costa Rica Schematic Costa Rica Ltda Costa Rica TNS Data S.A. (Costa Rica) Costa Rica Research & Marketing Services International Sarl Cote d'Ivoire Grey Zagreb d.o.o. Zatrisno Kommuniciranje Croatia Mediacom Zagreb d.o.o. Croatia Poster Publicity SEE (South East Europe) Croatia Grey Worldwide Middle East Network Ltd. Cyprus Pelerdon Holdings Ltd. Cyprus Bates Praha s.r.o. Czech Republic Bi Praha Red Cell s.r.o. Czech Republic GCI/Hill&Knowton s.r.o. Czech Republic GroupM s.r.o. Czech Republic Kantar Media a.s. Czech Republic LGM s.r.o. Czech Republic Mather Activation s.r.o. Czech Republic Mather Advertures s.r.o. Czech Republic Mather Communications s.r.o. Czech Republic Mather Public Relations s.r.o. Czech Republic MAXUS Czech Republic s.r.o. Czech Republic MediaCom Praha s.r.o. Czech Republic Mediaedge:cia Czech Republic s.r.o. Czech Republic Millward Brown Czech Republic s.r.o. Czech Republic MindShare s.r.o. Czech Republic MQI Brno spol. s.r.o. Czech Republic Ogilvy Action s.r.o. Czech Republic Ogilvy CID s.r.o. Czech Republic Ogilvy One A.S. Czech Republic Ogilvy Public Relations s.r.o. Czech Republic Ogilvy & Mather Morava spol. s r.o. Czech Republic Ogilvy & Mather spol. s r.o. Czech Republic RedWorks s.r.o. Czech Republic Rmg:connect s.r.o. Czech Republic Team Red s.r.o. Czech Republic The Core Group s.r.o. Czech Republic TNS AISA s.r.o. Czech Republic
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED Wunderman s.r.o. Czech Republic
COMPANY NAME Young & Rubicam Praha s.r.o. Czech Republic ADPeople A/S Denmark ADProduction A/S Denmark Bates/Red Cell Gruppen A/S Denmark Burson Marsteller A/S Denmark Cohn & Wolfe A/S Denmark Dyhr / Hagen A/S Denmark Friendly Film A/S Denmark Future Lab Business ApS Denmark Future Lab Business Group A/S Denmark Futurelab Business Consulting A/S Denmark Grey Nordic ApS Denmark Grey Shared Services A/S Denmark Grey Worldwide Kobenhavn A/S Denmark GroupM Denmark A/S Denmark Halbye Kaag JWT A/S Denmark Hill & Knowlton A/S Denmark Hundred Percent Film Production A/S Denmark JLM Holdings ApS Denmark Mannov A/S Country Denmark Mannov Holding A/S Denmark Maxus Communications A/S Denmark MEC: Access ApS Denmark Mediabroker A/S Denmark MediaCom Danmark A/S Denmark Mediaedge:CIA Denmark A/S Denmark Mediaedge:CIA Denmark Holding A/S Denmark Mindshare A/S Denmark Nordic Retails Group A/S Denmark Ogilvy Danmark A/S Denmark Outrider A/S Denmark Ogilvy Danmark A/S Denmark Mindshare A/S Denmark WPP Holding Denmark A/S Denmark Uncle Grey A/S Denmark Y&R Denmark Holdings II APS Denmark Burson Marsteller A/S Denmark ProMedia A/S Denmark ADProduction A/S Denmark J. Walter Thompson Dominicana S.A. Dominican Republic LatinPanel Ecuador S.A. Ecuador
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
| UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| A.M.R.B. Egypt L.L.C. | Egypt |
| Grey Worldwide Middle East Network | |
| Limited | Egypt |
| MediaCom Egypt | Egypt |
| Team Y&R LLC (Egypt) | Egypt |
| TMI J Walter Thompson Egypt Ltd. | Egypt |
| TNS Egypt Ltd. | Egypt |
| J Walter Thompson S.A. de C.V. | El Salvador |
| TNS Data S.A. de C.V. (El Salvador) | El Salvador |
| Emor AS | Estonia |
| Hill A Knowlton Eesti As | Estonia |
| Extern Finland Oy | Finland |
| GroupM Finland Oy | Finland |
| Happi Mindshare Finland Oy | Finland |
| Hill & Knowlton Finland Oy | Finland |
| J Walter Thompson Finland Oy | Finland |
| Maxus Oy | Finland |
| MEC Finland Oy | Finland |
| Mediaedge:CIA Finland OY | Finland |
| Mindshare Finland Oy | Finland |
| Suomen Gallup Elintarviketieto Oy | Finland |
| Taylor Nelson Sofres Suomi OY | Finland |
| TNS Gallup OY | Finland |
| Young & Rubicam Finland OY | Finland |
| 141 France SAS | France |
| 24/7 Real Media France SARL | France |
| Added Value SAS | France |
| Argonautes SA | France |
| Audit Et Systemes Consultants SAS | France |
| AV Co. Sarl | France |
| AxiCom Communications SARL | France |
| Banner Media France SASU | France |
| Bates SAS | France |
| Burson-Marsteller SAS | France |
| CB Associees SAS | France |
| CBA Architecture Commerciale et Design | |
| D'environnement SA | France |
| Cohn & Wolfe SA | France |
| Compagnie Fonciere Les Yvelines | France |
| Concorde Finance France SAS | France |
| CT Finances SA | France |
| Design Direct SAS | France |
| Fieldwork RI SAS | France |
| Financiere RKW Holding SAS | France |
| Fitch Vendome SAS | France |
| G2 France SAS | France |
| GIE Media Insight | France |
| GIE Mindshare | France |
JURISDICTION
COMPANY NAME Grey Global Group France SAS France Grey Healthcare Paris SA France Grey Paris SAS France GroupM SAS France HFT SA France Hill & Knowlton SAS France Impiric Interactive France J Walter Thompson SAS France JFC Informatique & Media SAS France Kantar Health SAS France Kantar Retail France SAS France Kantar SAS France Kassius SA France Kinetic SAS France Knowledgebase Marketing France SAS France Landor Associates SAS France Le Lab Consulting SAS France Les Ouvriers du Paradis Babylone United SAS France Les Ouvriers du Paradis Bourgognes SAS France Lob Conseils SA France Louiseholding SAS France Lumiere Publicite SARL France Mather Communications SAS France Mediacom Paris SA France Mediaedge:CIA France SAS France Millward Brown SAS France Ogilvy Action SAS France Ogilvy Healthworld France SAS France Ogilvy Public Relations SAS France Ogilvy & Mather S.A.S France OgilvyOne Worldwide SAS France Peclers Paris SAS France Plein Papier SARL France Prism SAS France Pro Deo SAS France Public Relations AKKA SAS France Relations Publiques Caroline Allain RPCA SAS France RMG SAS France Rmg:connect SAS France Sofres Asia Pacific SAS France Sofres Communication SAS France Sofres Lyon SARL France Strateme SARL France Sudler & Hennessey SAS France Taylor Nelson Sofres SAS France
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
| JURISDICTION UNDER |
|
|---|---|
| WHICH | |
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| The Brand Union Paris SARL | France |
| The Shop SARL | France |
| TNS Direct SAS | France |
| TransGrey SAS | France |
| WPP Finance Holdings SAS | France |
| WPP Finance SA | France |
| Wunderman SAS | France |
| Young & Rubicam SAS | France |
| 141 worldwide GmbH | Germany |
| 24/7 Real Media Deutschland GmbH | Germany |
| AdGenus GmbH | Germany |
| Advanced Techniques Group (ATG) | |
| GmbH | Germany |
| argonauten G2 GmbH | Germany |
| Atletico Germany GmbH | Germany |
| AxiCom Axiom Communications GmbH | Germany |
| Best of Media GmbH | Germany |
| Burson-Marsteller GmbH | Germany |
| Cohn & Wolfe Public Relations GmbH & | |
| Co. KG | Germany |
| Cohn & Wolfe Verwaltungs GmbH | Germany |
| Concept Media Gesellschaft für Planung | |
| und Beratung mbH | Germany |
| Concept Media Gesellschaft für Planung | |
| und Beratung mit beschränkter Haftung | Germany |
| Concept! Venture GmbH | Germany |
| CONNECT 21 GmbH | Germany |
| Cordiant Holdings GmbH | Germany |
| cpz Ogilvy Public Relations GmbH | Germany |
| Diebitz, Stöppler, Braun & Kuhlmann | |
| Werbeagentur GmbH | Germany |
| Dorland Werbeagentur GmbH | Germany |
| EMNID Gesellschaft mit beschränkter | |
| Haftung | Germany |
| F + I GmbH, Research Consulting | |
| Marktforschung | Germany |
| facts + fiction GmbH | Germany |
| FutureCom GmbH | Germany |
| G2 Düsseldorf GmbH | Germany |
| G2 Kommunikationsagentur GmbH | Germany |
| Global "Sportnet" Beteiligungs GmbH | Germany |
| Global "Sportnet" Sportmarketing | |
| GmbH & Co. KG | Germany |
| GRAMM Werbeagentur GmbH | Germany |
| Grey CIS Werbeagentur GmbH | Germany |
COMPANY NAME Grey G2 Group GmbH Germany Grey GmbH Germany Grey Healthcare GmbH Germany Grey Holding Central Europe GmbH Germany Grey Worldwide GmbH Germany GroupM Competence Center GmbH Germany groupm Germany GmbH Germany HealthLive GmbH Germany Hering Schuppener Consulting Strategieberatung für Kommunikation GmbH Germany Hering Schuppener Unternehmensberatung für Kommunikation GmbH Germany Hill & Knowlton Communications GmbH Germany icon added value GmbH Germany icon Wirtschafts- und Finanzmarktforschung GmbH Germany "INCH" Design-Service GmbH Germany InfraLive GmbH Germany Infratest dimap Gesellschaft für Trendund Wahlforschung mbH Germany Infratest Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Germany InterBates Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH & Co. KG Germany InterCom Management GmbH Germany IntraMedic GmbH Germany J. Walter Thompson GmbH Germany J. Walter Thompson Verwaltungs GmbH Germany JWT Engage GmbH Germany JWT Germany GmbH Germany Kantar Health GmbH Germany Kantar Media GmbH Germany KBM GmbH Germany Kinetic Worldwide Germany GmbH Germany Landor Associates GmbH Germany Magic Moments Agentur für Kommunikation GmbH Germany Magic Poster GmbH Germany Mather Direct GmbH Germany Maxus Communications GmbH Germany MEC Access GmbH Germany MEC GmbH Germany Media Consult WPP GmbH Germany
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
COMPANY NAME JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED MediaCom Agentur für Media-Beratung GmbH Germany MediaCom CIS GmbH Germany MediaCom Hamburg GmbH Germany MediaCom Holding Central and Eastern Europe GmbH Germany MediaCom Interaction GmbH Germany MediaCom München GmbH Germany Mediaedge:cia Germany Holding GmbH Germany Michael Vagedes GmbH Germany Millward Brown Germany GmbH Germany MindShare GmbH Germany MM MEDIA MARKETING GMBH Germany Neo@Ogilvy GmbH Germany NFO International GmbH Holding Germany Ogilvy Action GmbH Germany Ogilvy Brand Center GmbH Germany Ogilvy Brand Center Verwaltungs GmbH Germany Ogilvy Healthworld GmbH Germany Ogilvy & Mather Advertising GmbH Germany Ogilvy & Mather Deutschland GmbH Germany Ogilvy & Mather Werbeagentur GmbH Germany OgilvyBrains GmbH Germany OgilvyFinance AG Germany OgilvyOne Düsseldorf GmbH Germany OgilvyOne GmbH Germany OSCAR Service GmbH Germany Performance SportEnt Worldwide GmbH Germany PQ PLAKATQUALITÄT Agentur für Außenwerbung GmbH Germany PRISM INTERNATIONAL GmbH Germany Quisma GmbH Germany Red Cell Werbeagentur GmbH Germany RedWorks GmbH Germany RMG Connect GmbH Germany s&kGrey GmbH Germany santamaria GmbH Germany spring infotainment Wirtz und Pischke Verwaltungsgesellschaft mbH Germany spring Wirtz und Pischke GmbH & Co. KG Germany
| UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Sudler & Hennessey Berlin GmbH | Germany |
| Sudler & Hennessey GmbH | Germany |
| The Brand Union GmbH | Germany |
| Tillmanns, Ogilvy & Mather GmbH | Germany |
| TNS EMNID GmbH & Co. KG | Germany |
| TNS Emnid Medien- und Sozialforschung | |
| GmbH | Germany |
| TNS Infratest Beteiligungs GmbH | Germany |
| TNS Infratest Forschung GmbH | Germany |
| TNS Infratest GmbH | Germany |
| TNS Infratest Holding GmbH | Germany |
| TNS Infratest RI GmbH | Germany |
| TNS Infratest Sozialforschung GmbH | Germany |
| TNS Infratest Verwaltungs GmbH | Germany |
| Transmission Advertising Services GmbH | Germany |
| Verwaltungsgesellschaft Global "Sportnet" | |
| Sportmarketing mbH | Germany |
| WPP Deutschland Holding GmbH & Co. | |
| KG | Germany |
| WPP Deutschland Verwaltungs GmbH | Germany |
| WPP Digital Germany GmbH | Germany |
| WPP Marketing Communications | |
| Germany B.V., Zweigniederlassung | |
| Frankfurt am Main | Germany |
| WPP Marketing Communications | |
| Germany GmbH | Germany |
| WPP Media Holdings GmbH | Germany |
| WPP Service GmbH | Germany |
| Wunderman Consulting GmbH | Germany |
| Wunderman GmbH | Germany |
| Wunderman GmbH | Germany |
| Wunderman Verwaltungs GmbH | Germany |
| Young & Rubicam Brands Germany | |
| GmbH | Germany |
| Young & Rubicam GmbH | Germany |
| Young & Rubicam GmbH | Germany |
| ZEG-Zentrum für Epidemiologie und | |
| Gesundheitsforschung Berlin GmbH | Germany |
| Millward Brown West Africa Limited | Ghana |
| Mindshare Ghana Ltd. | Ghana |
| RMS International (GH) Limited | Ghana |
| GEO Young & Rubicam S.A. | Greece |
| Grey Athens SA | Greece |
| JURISDICTION |
|---|
| UNDER |
| WHICH ORGANISED |
| COMPANY NAME | JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED |
|---|---|
| Maxus Commercial Communications SA | Greece |
| MediaCom Ltd. | Greece |
| Movielab SA | Greece |
| Panmail Advertising SA | Greece |
| Publicom Hill & Knowlton Hellas Ltd. | Greece |
| Red Cell Advertising SA | Greece |
| Research International Hellas S.A | Greece |
| Salesplus Ltd. | Greece |
| Screen Design & Production of | |
| Advertising and Promotional Material | |
| Ltd. | Greece |
| Spot Thompson Total Communication | |
| Group SA | Greece |
| Taylor Nelson Sofres ICAP Market | |
| Research SA | Greece |
| The Media Edge SA | Greece |
| Tribe Advertising Services SA | Greece |
| WCJ Advertising SA | Greece |
| Hill & Knowlton SA | Guatemala |
| J Walter Thompson SA | Guatemala |
| TNS Data S.A. (Guatemala) | Guatemala |
| TNS Finance (CI) Limited | Guernsey |
| TNS Finance (G) Limited | Guernsey |
| TNS Finance Limited | Guernsey |
| J Walter Thompson SA | Honduras |
| Agenda (China) Limited | Hong Kong |
| Agenda (Hong Kong) Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Agenda Group (Asia) Limited | Hong Kong |
| Bates China Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Bates Hong Kong Limited | Hong Kong |
| BatesAsia Hong Kong Limited | Hong Kong |
| BatesAsia Limited | Hong Kong |
| Beyond Communications Hong Kong | |
| Limited | Hong Kong |
| Beyond Interactive Co. Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Blue Interactive Marketing Limited | Hong Kong |
| Burson-Marsteller (Asia) Limited | Hong Kong |
| Burson-Marsteller (Hong Kong) Limited | Hong Kong |
| Carl Byoir Asia Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Conquest Marketing Communications | |
| (Hong Kong) Limited | Hong Kong |
| Conquest Marketing Communications | |
| (Taiwan) Limited | Hong Kong |
| UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Contract Advertising Company Limited | Hong Kong |
| CSM HK Limited | Hong Kong |
| David Communications Group Limited | Hong Kong |
| Design Direct (Hong Kong) Limited | Hong Kong |
| Era Ogilvy Public Relations Co., Limited | Hong Kong |
| Fitch Design Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Freeway Communications Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| G2 Hong Kong Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| G2 Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Grand Wealth International Holdings | |
| Limited | Hong Kong |
| Grey Advertising Hong Kong Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Grey Advertising Limited | Hong Kong |
| Grey Healthcare Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Grey Interactive China Company Limited | Hong Kong |
| Grey Interactive Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Grey International Limited | Hong Kong |
| Grey Public Relations Company Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| GroupM Communications Hong Kong | |
| Limited | Hong Kong |
| GroupM Limited | Hong Kong |
| HeathWallace (HK) Limited | Hong Kong |
| Hill and Knowlton Asia Limited | Hong Kong |
| Hill and Knowlton Asia Pacific Limited | Hong Kong |
| H-Line Worldwide Limited | Hong Kong |
| HWGL Investment (Holding) Company | |
| Limited | Hong Kong |
| IMRB MILLWARD BROWN | |
| INTERNATIONAL LIMITED | Hong Kong |
| iPR Ogilvy (China) Limited | Hong Kong |
| iPR Ogilvy Holdings Limited | Hong Kong |
| iPR Ogilvy Limited | Hong Kong |
| J. Walter Thompson (Taiwan) Limited | Hong Kong |
| J. Walter Thompson Company (North | |
| Asia) Limited | Hong Kong |
| J. Walter Thompson Company Limited | Hong Kong |
| Landor Associates Designers & | |
| Consultants Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Lightspeed Research HK Limited | Hong Kong |
| Maximise (Hong Kong) Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Maxus Communications Limited | Hong Kong |
| COMPANY NAME | JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED |
|---|---|
| Maxx Marketing Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Media Investment Holdings Limited | Hong Kong |
| Mediacom Limited | Hong Kong |
| MediaCompany Communications Limited | Hong Kong |
| Mediaedge:CIA Hong Kong Pte Limited | Hong Kong |
| Millward Brown Limited | Hong Kong |
| MindShare Communications Limited | Hong Kong |
| MindShare Hong Kong Limited | Hong Kong |
| NFO Asia Pacific Limited | Hong Kong |
| Ogilvy Health Limited | Hong Kong |
| Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide | |
| Limited | Hong Kong |
| Ogilvy & Mather (China) Holdings | |
| Limited | Hong Kong |
| Ogilvy & Mather (China) Limited | Hong Kong |
| Ogilvy & Mather (Hong Kong) Private | |
| Limited | Hong Kong |
| Ogilvy & Mather Marketing | |
| Communications Limited | Hong Kong |
| Ogilvy & Mather Marketing Services | |
| Limited | Hong Kong |
| OgilvyAction Hong Kong Limited | Hong Kong |
| OgilvyActivation Global Launch Limited | Hong Kong |
| OgilvyInteractive Asia Pacific Limited | Hong Kong |
| OgilvyInteractive Worldwide Hong Kong | |
| Limited | Hong Kong |
| OgilvyOne Worldwide Hong Kong | |
| Limited | Hong Kong |
| Oracle Added Value Limited | Hong Kong |
| Promotional Campaigns (Asia) Limited | Hong Kong |
| Pulse Communications Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Red Wasabi Limited | Hong Kong |
| RedWorks Limited | Hong Kong |
| Relationship Marketing Group Limited | Hong Kong |
| Research International Asia Limited | Hong Kong |
| Rikes Hill & Knowlton Limited | Hong Kong |
| RMG Connect Ltd. | Hong Kong |
| Sapphire Bright Limited | Hong Kong |
| Shengshi International Media (Group) | |
| Limited | Hong Kong |
| Signature Promotions Limited | Hong Kong |
| Soho Square Hong Kong Limited | Hong Kong |
JURISDICTION
| JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED | COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Taylor Nelson Sofres Hong Kong Limited | Hong Kong | Young & Rubicam Budapest International | |
| Team Y&R Holdings Hong Kong Limited | Hong Kong | Advertising Agency Kft | Hungary |
| The Brand Union Limited The Bridge Communications Company |
Hong Kong | Atlas Advertising Private Ltd. Bates India Private Ltd. |
India India |
| Limited | Hong Kong | Brand David Communications Private | |
| TOTAL GLORY INTERNATIONAL | Limited | India | |
| LIMITED | Hong Kong | Contract Advertising India Pvt Ltd. | India |
| Underline:Fitch Hong Kong Ltd. | Hong Kong | Encompass Events Private Ltd. | India |
| Whizzbangart Hong Kong Ltd. | Hong Kong | Fortune Communications Ltd. | India |
| Wit Ocean Limited | Hong Kong | G2 Communications Pvt Ltd. | India |
| WPP Captive Holdings Limited | Hong Kong | G2 Rams India Pvt Ltd. | India |
| WPP Group (Asia Pacific) Limited | Hong Kong | G3 Communications Pvt. Ltd. | India |
| WPP Marketing Communications (Hong | Genesis Burson-Marsteller Public | ||
| Kong) Limited | Hong Kong | Relations Private Ltd. | India |
| XM Hong Kong Limited | Hong Kong | Grey Worldwide (India) Pvt.Ltd. | India |
| Young & Rubicam (HK) Limited | Hong Kong | GroupM Media India Pvt Ltd. | India |
| Barci es Partners Kft | Hungary | Hindustan Thompson Associates Private | |
| Bates 141 Hungary Advertising Kft | Hungary | Limited | India |
| GRAMM Kft | Hungary | Icon Added Value Private Ltd. | India |
| Grey Worldwide Hungary Kft | Hungary | Indian Market Research Bureau Ltd. | India |
| Hill and Knowlton Hungary Public | Interactive Television Private Limited | India | |
| Relations Kft | Hungary | Kantar Market Research Services Pvt Ltd. | India |
| JWT Budapest Marketing Szolgáltató KFT | Hungary | Loose Screws Production Pvt Ltd. | India |
| Kantar Media Kft | Hungary | Matrix Publicities & Media India Pvt Ltd. | India |
| Mac-Mester Kft | Hungary | Mediacom Media India Private Ltd. | India |
| Mather Communications | Mediaedge:cia India Pvt Ltd. | India | |
| Reklamugynokseg Kft | Hungary | Meridian Communication Pvt. Ltd. | India |
| MC MediaCompany Nemzetkozi | Meritus Analytics India Pvt Ltd. | India | |
| Mediaugynoki Kft | Hungary | Millward Brown Market Research | |
| MEC Interaction Hungary Kft | Hungary | Services India Private Ltd. | India |
| Media Zone Hungary Kft. | Hungary | Mindshare India Pvt Ltd. | India |
| Mediaedge: cia Hungary Kft | Hungary | Ogilvy & Mather Pvt Ltd. | India |
| Millward Brown Hungary Kft. | Hungary | Optima India Private Ltd. | India |
| Ogilvy Group Zrt | Hungary | Options Communications India Pvt Ltd. | India |
| Portland Kozteruleti Reklamugynokseg | Portland India Outdoor Advertising Private | ||
| Kft | Hungary | Ltd. | India |
| Redworks Budapest Kft | Hungary | Quasar Media Private Ltd. | India |
| Taylor Nelson Sofres Hungary Business | Ray & Keshavan Design Associates Pvt. | ||
| and Social Marketing and Consulting | Ltd. | India | |
| Limited | Hungary | Results India Communications Pvt Ltd. | India |
| Team Hungary Kft | Hungary | Sercon India Private Limited | India |
| TGI Hungary Marketing Research | Sharp Shooter Films Private Ltd. | India | |
| Company Kft | Hungary | ||
| The Mediaedge Kft | Hungary | ||
| Wunderman Kft | Hungary |
| JURISDICTION UNDER |
JURISDICTION UNDER |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| WHICH | WHICH | ||
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED | COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Sudler & Hennessey India Pvt Ltd. | India | WPP Ireland Limited | Ireland |
| TNS India Private Limited | India | WPP Ireland UK | Ireland |
| TNS Mode Private Limited | India | WPP Ireland US | Ireland |
| Triyaka Communications Pvt. Ltd. | India | WPP UK Holdings Ltd. (Ireland) | Ireland |
| Triyaka First Serve Advertising (Pvt) Ltd. | India | Wunderman Ireland Ltd. | Ireland |
| Arena Productions Limited | Ireland | Y&R Advertising Ireland Ltd. | Ireland |
| Bell Advertising Limited | Ireland | Young & Rubicam Brands Ireland Ltd. | Ireland |
| Culverbridge Limited | Ireland | Connect Sales Promotions Direct | |
| Dearadh Teoranta "Interact" | Ireland | Marketing and Events Ltd. | Israel |
| Drumgoff Holdings | Ireland | JTC Scan Ltd. | Israel |
| EWA Ireland Ltd. | Ireland | JWT Israel Ltd. | Israel |
| Grey Advertising Limited (Ireland) | Ireland | Media Edge Israel Ltd. | Israel |
| Group M WPP Ltd. | Ireland | Meishav Hafakot Ltd. | Israel |
| Hill & Knowlton Limited | Ireland | Netking (1999) Ltd. | Israel |
| Hunter/Red Cell Ireland Ltd. | Ireland | Shalmor Avnon Amichay Advertising Ltd. | Israel |
| Imagecom Graphics Ltd. | Ireland | Single Source Research Israel (1999) | |
| John Hunter Ltd. | Ireland | Limited | Israel |
| Kinetic Advertising Limited (Ireland) | Ireland | Taylor Nelson Sofres Teleseker Limited | Israel |
| Lansdowne Market Research Ltd. | Ireland | Tele-gal The Israeli Rating Company Ltd. | Israel |
| Mediacom (Media Planning and Buying) | TNS Teleseker - Policy Qualitat Research | ||
| Ltd. | Ireland | Ltd. | Israel |
| Mediaedge:cia Ireland Limited | Ireland | TNS-Tel-Gal Media Research Ltd. | Israel |
| MediaWatch Limited | Ireland | United Media (R.S. 2005) Ltd. | Israel |
| Millward Brown Ireland Ltd. | Ireland | Y&R Interactive 2.1 Ltd. | Israel |
| Millward Brown Irish Marketing Surveys | 1861 United Srl | Italy | |
| Ltd. | Ireland | 24/7 Real Media Italy Srl | Italy |
| MindShare Limited | Ireland | Added Value Srl | Italy |
| Mindshare Media Ireland Limited | Ireland | AxiCom Italia Srl | Italy |
| Ogilvy One Worldwide Limited | Ireland | Bates Srl | Italy |
| Ogilvy & Mather Group Limited | Ireland | Burson Marsteller Srl | Italy |
| Ogilvy & Mather Limited | Ireland | Carl Byoir Srl | Italy |
| Rational Decisions Limited | Ireland | CIA Medianetwork Club Srl | Italy |
| RMG Connect Ireland Limited | Ireland | CIA Medianetwork Milano Srl | Italy |
| Sudler & Hennessey Healthcare Ireland | Cohn & Wolfe Srl | Italy | |
| Ltd. | Ireland | Digital PR Srl | Italy |
| Taylor Nelson Sofres Ireland Limited | Ireland | FAST - Financial Administration | |
| The Brand Union Limited | Ireland | Solutions & Technologies Srl | Italy |
| The Helme Partnership Limited | Ireland | G2 Srl | Italy |
| The Helme Production Limited | Ireland | G2-Promotions Italia SpA | Italy |
| TNS Marketing Pathways Limited | Ireland | Grey Healthcare Italia Srl | Italy |
| Wilson Hartnell Public Relations Limited | Ireland | Grey Worldwide Italia Srl | Italy |
| WPP Air 1 Limited | Ireland | GroupM plus Srl | Italy |
| WPP Air 2 Limited | Ireland | GroupM Srl | Italy |
| WPP Air 3 Limited | Ireland | H-Art Srl | Italy |
| WPP Ireland Holdings Limited | Ireland | Hill & Knowlton Gaia Srl | Italy |
| JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
||
|---|---|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED | COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| International Strategic Communications | Grey Direct Inc. | Japan | |
| Srl | Italy | Grey Healthcare Japan Inc. | Japan |
| Intramed Communications Srl | Italy | Grey Worldwide Inc. (Japan) | Japan |
| J Walter Thompson Roma Srl | Italy | GroupM Japan KK | Japan |
| J. Walter Thompson Italia SpA | Italy | GroupM KK | Japan |
| Kantar Health Srl | Italy | Hill & Knowlton Japan Ltd. | Japan |
| Kinetic Srl | Italy | International Creative Marketing KK | Japan |
| Landor Associates Srl | Italy | J Walter Thompson Japan KK | Japan |
| LGM Little Green Men Srl | Italy | Japan Kantar Research Inc. | Japan |
| Lorien Consulting Srl | Italy | Logic Inc. | Japan |
| MAXUS MC2 Spa | Italy | Millward Brown Japan KK | Japan |
| Maxus Srl | Italy | Neo@Ogilvy KK | Japan |
| Media Club SpA | Italy | Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide | |
| Media Insight Srl | Italy | (Japan) KK | Japan |
| Mediacom Italia Srl | Italy | Ogilvy & Mather Japan KK | Japan |
| Mediaedge:CIA Italy Srl | Italy | OgilvyAction Japan KK | Japan |
| Millward Brown Srl | Italy | OgilvyOne Japan KK | Japan |
| Mindshare SpA | Italy | Redworks Japan KK | Japan |
| Mindshare Trevenzie Srl | Italy | Soho Square Japan K.K. | Japan |
| Nexthealth Srl | Italy | TNS Infoplan Limited | Japan |
| Ogilvy Healthworld Srl | Italy | WPP Marketing Communications | |
| Ogilvy Interactive Srl | Italy | KK | Japan |
| Ogilvy & Mather SpA | Italy | WPP plc | Jersey |
| OgilvyOne Worldwide SpA | Italy | Ogilvy & Mather Kazakhstan | |
| One Four One Srl | Italy | Limited Liability Company | Kazakhstan |
| Quisma Italy Srl | Italy | TNS Gallup Media Asia | Kazakhstan |
| Red Cell Srl | Italy | BluePrint Marketing Limited | Kenya |
| Red Productions Srl | Italy | Millward Brown East Africa Ltd. | Kenya |
| rmg:connect Srl | Italy | MindShare Kenya Limited | Kenya |
| Sentrix Global Health Communications Srl | Italy | Ogilvy & Mather (Eastern Africa) | |
| Soho Square Srl | Italy | Limited | Kenya |
| sPrint Production Srl | Italy | Ogilvy Africa Media Ltd | Kenya |
| Sudler & Hennessey Srl | Italy | Ogilvy East Africa Limited | Kenya |
| Team Alfa Srl | Italy | Ogilvy Public Relations Limited | Kenya |
| TNS Infratest S.P.A. | Italy | TNS Research International Ltd. | Kenya |
| TNS Italia Srl | Italy | 24/7 Real Media Inc. (Korea) | Korea, Republic of |
| WPP Holdings (Italy) Srl | Italy | Burson-Marsteller Korea Co. Ltd. | Korea, Republic of |
| WPP Marketing Communications (Italy) | Burson-Marsteller Korea Inc. | Korea, Republic of | |
| Srl | Italy | Diamond Ogilvy Ltd. | Korea, Republic of |
| Wunderman Srl | Italy | Grey Worldwide Korea Inc. | Korea, Republic of |
| Y&R Italia Srl | Italy | JWT Adventure Co. Ltd. | Korea, Republic of |
| Y&R Roma Srl | Italy | Lee & Jang OgilvyOne Worldwide | |
| Bates Asia Japan Inc. | Japan | Co. Ltd. | Korea, Republic of |
| Burson-Marsteller Co. Ltd. | Japan | Longitude One LLC | Korea, Republic of |
| Carl Byoir Japan Ltd. | Japan | ||
| David Communications KK | Japan | ||
| Design Direct Japan KK | Japan |
Enfatico Tokyo Inc. Japan
r.l Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg Holdings Eight Sarl Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg Holdings Sarl Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg Holdings Seven SARL Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg Holdings Six SARL Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg Holdings Three Sarl Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg Holdings Two Sarl Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg IH 2001 Holdings Sarl Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg Sarl Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg Square LLC Sarl Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg Theta Sarl Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg US Holdings Sarl Luxembourg WPP Luxembourg YMC Sarl Luxembourg WPP Quebec Square S.a r.l. Luxembourg WPP TNS US S.a.r.l. Luxembourg WPP Union Square Sarl Luxembourg J.Walter Thompson Company (Malawi) Ltd. Malawi Advertising Ventures Pvt Ltd. Mauritius Millward Brown Mauritius Limited Mauritius Research and Marketing Group Investment Limited Mauritius WPP Holdings (Mauritius) Ltd. Mauritius 141 Worldwide, SA de CV Mexico
UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
JURISDICTION
| WHICH | |
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | |
| Agencia de Comunicación Interactiva, SA | |
| de CV Asesoría Estratégica Maxus, S.A. de C.V. |
Mexico Mexico |
| Burson Marsteller México, S.de R.L. de | |
| C.V. | Mexico |
| Cohn & Wolfe México, S.A. de C.V. | Mexico |
| Compañía Hill & Knowlton México, SA | |
| de CV | Mexico |
| Comunicaciones Connect SA de CV | Mexico |
| Dinamica Multiple SA | Mexico |
| Empresas del Sur, SRL de CV | Mexico |
| Estudios de Mercado LP de México, S.A. | |
| de C.V. | Mexico |
| G7.0 Servicios Gráficos, SA de CV | Mexico |
| Goldfarb Consultants México, S.A. de | |
| C.V. | Mexico |
| Grey México, S.A. de C.V. | Mexico |
| Greycomex, S.A. de C.V. | Mexico |
| J. Walter Thompson de México, S.A. | Mexico |
| JWT México, S.R.L. de C.V. | Mexico |
| Millward Brown México, S.A. de C.V. | Mexico |
| Millward Brown Servicios SA de CV | Mexico |
| MindShare de México, S.A. de C.V. | Mexico |
| Multidim SA | Mexico |
| Mystery Shopper México, S.A. de C.V. | Mexico |
| Ogilvy & Mather SA | Mexico |
| Ogilvyinteractive SA de CV | Mexico |
| OgilvyOne SA | Mexico |
| RedWorks SA de CV | Mexico |
| Segarra, Cuesta, Puig, Fernandez De | |
| Castro, SRL de CV | Mexico |
| Servicios de Publicidad Interactivos SA de | |
| CV | Mexico |
| Servicios Profesionales de Administración | |
| LPM, S.A. de C.V. | Mexico |
| Taylor Nelson Sofres México, S.A. de | |
| C.V. | Mexico |
| The Media Edge S de RL de CV | Mexico |
| TNS México, S.A. de C.V. | Mexico |
| Walter Landor y Asociados, S de RL de | |
| CV | Mexico |
COMPANY NAME JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED Worldwide Mediacom México, S.A. de C.V. Mexico WPP México, S.R.L. de C.V. Mexico WPP Second, S. de R.L. de C.V Mexico Wunderman SRL de CV Mexico Young & Rubicam S de RL de CV Mexico CBS-AXA (Limited) Moldova, Republic of Grey Worldwide North Africa Network SARL Morocco J Walter Thompson Morocco SARL Morocco Mediacompete Morocco Morocco Mediaedge:cia Morocco SARL Morocco NFO WorldGroup (Maroc) S.a.r.l. Morocco Team Y&R SARL Morocco TNS Maroc S.a.r.l. Morocco Wunderman SARL (Morocco) Morocco Thompson Nepal Private Ltd. Nepal 141 Amsterdam BV Netherlands 24/7 Real Media Investment Holding BV Netherlands AdValue International BV Netherlands AdValue Nederland BV Netherlands Akron Reclame en Marketing BV Netherlands Arbour Square B.V. Netherlands Atface Internet Facility Centre BV Netherlands Axicom BV Netherlands Bates Nederland Holding BV Netherlands Bates Not Just Film B.V. Netherlands Bercum Boender Cardozo & Werkendam BBCW B.V. Netherlands Berkeley Square Holding BV Netherlands Blast Radius BV Netherlands Borgi Advertising BV Netherlands Brown KSDP Netherlands BV Netherlands Burson-Marsteller B.V. Netherlands Cato Johnson B.V. Netherlands Cavendish Square Holding BV Netherlands Chafma B.V. Netherlands CIA Holding B.V. Netherlands Colon Marketing BV Netherlands Consult Brand Strategy B.V. Netherlands Dentsu 24/7 Search Holdings BV Netherlands Dolphin Square Holding B.V. Netherlands GCI Nederland BV Netherlands Grey Advertising B.V. Netherlands Grey Brasil Holdings B.V. Netherlands Grey Communications Group B.V. Netherlands
19
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
COMPANY NAME Grey Netherlands Holding B.V. Netherlands Group M BV Netherlands Group M India Holding B.V. Netherlands Healthworld BV Netherlands Healthworld Communications Group (Netherlands) B.V. Netherlands Hill & Knowlton Nederland BV Netherlands Integres Holding BV Netherlands J Walter Thompson Company B.V. Netherlands JWT (Netherlands) Holding BV Netherlands JWT International BV Netherlands Kader Advertising Holding B.V. Netherlands KSM B.V. Netherlands La Communidad, Interactive & Event Marketing BV Netherlands LdB Ogilvy & Mather B.V. Netherlands Leicester Square Holding B.V. Netherlands Lexington International B.V. Netherlands Lightspeed Research B.V. Netherlands Luxembourg Finance Beta CV Netherlands Luxembourg Finance Europe CV Netherlands Luxembourg Finance Gamma CV Netherlands Luxembourg Finance Holdings Six C.V. Netherlands Luxembourg Finance Holdings Two CV Netherlands Marketique Interactive Marketing Services BV Netherlands Maxus B.V. Netherlands MB Centrum BV Netherlands Media Basics BV Netherlands MediaCom B.V. Netherlands Mediaedge:cia BV Netherlands Millward Brown BV Netherlands MindShare BV Netherlands Miniato B.V. Netherlands Netherlandser G.C.I. B.V. Netherlands Nipo Software B.V. Netherlands Ogilvy Groep (Nederland) B.V. Netherlands Ogilvy & Mather Africa B.V. Netherlands PPGH/JWT Groep VOF Netherlands Process Blue B.V. Netherlands Promotion Makers BV Netherlands Promotional Campaigns BV Netherlands Reddion BV Netherlands Research International Nederland BV Netherlands Research Resources Rotterdam BV Netherlands Research SA B.V. Netherlands
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
COMPANY NAME Russell Square Holding BV Netherlands Santo Europe BV Netherlands Scribble Beheer BV Netherlands Sirolf II BV Netherlands Taylor Nelson Sofres BV Netherlands TBK/G2 BV Netherlands The Office Advertising Group BV Netherlands These Days BV Netherlands Tiddens, Brahler, De Kemp Reklame en Marketing B.V. Netherlands TNS Consult B.V. Netherlands TNS Nipo BV Netherlands Trafalgar Square Holding B.V. Netherlands Trefpunt Sports and Leisure Marketing B.V. Netherlands UFO Centrum BV Netherlands Uforce BV Netherlands VBAT BV Netherlands Veldkamp Marktonerzoek BV Netherlands Vincent Square Holding BV Netherlands WPP Equity Portugal B.V. Netherlands WPP Frankfurt Square B.V. Netherlands WPP Herald Square B.V. Netherlands WPP Holdings (Holland) B.V. Netherlands WPP International Holding B.V. Netherlands WPP Japan Holding B.V. Netherlands WPP Kiev Square B.V. Netherlands WPP Kraken 2 B.V. Netherlands WPP Kraken B.V. Netherlands WPP Madison Square B.V. Netherlands WPP Management Services (Holland) B.V. Netherlands WPP Marketing Communications Germany B.V. Netherlands WPP Minotaur B.V. Netherlands WPP Netherlands B.V. Netherlands WPP Ontario Square BV Netherlands WPP Rio Square BV Netherlands WPP Sheridan Square B.V. Netherlands WPP Square 4 B.V. Netherlands WPP Square one B.V Netherlands WPP Superior Square BV Netherlands WPP US Investments BV Netherlands WPP Washington Square B.V. Netherlands Y & R Minority Holdings C.V. Netherlands Young & Rubicam Amsterdam B.V. Netherlands Young & Rubicam Group Netherlands
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
B.V. Netherlands
COMPANY NAME Young & Rubicam International Group B.V. Netherlands Young & Rubicam Netherlands BV Netherlands Team Holdings Curacao N.V. Netherlands Antilles Endicott Enterprises Limited New Zealand Financial & Media Services (NZ) Ltd. New Zealand Focus Research Limited New Zealand Grey Global Group New Zealand Ltd. New Zealand J Walter Thompson International (NZ) Limited New Zealand MediaCom (New Zealand) Ltd. New Zealand Millward Brown NZ Ltd. New Zealand MindShare New Zealand Limited New Zealand NeedScope International Limited New Zealand NFO Worldgroup N.Z. Holdings Ltd. New Zealand P R Dynamics Limited New Zealand Professional Public Relations NZ Holdings Limited New Zealand Professional Public Relations NZ Limited New Zealand Research International N.Z. Limited New Zealand TNS New Zealand Ltd. New Zealand WPP Holdings (New Zealand) Limited New Zealand Y&R Limited New Zealand Young & Rubicam Holdings Limited New Zealand J Walter Thompson SA Nicaragua Aqvilo Norway AS Norway Bates United AS Norway Bates–Gruppen AS Norway Brindfors Enterprise IG AS Norway Burson-Marsteller AS Norway CIA Norway Holdings AS Norway Gambit Hill & Knowlton AS Norway GCI Communique AS Norway Grey Oslo AS Norway GroupM Norway AS Norway Maxus Communications AS Norway Media.com Interactive AS Norway MediaCom AS (Norway) Norway
COMPANY NAME UNDER WHICH ORGANISED Mediaedge:CIA Norway AS Norway MediaPLUS AS Norway Mindshare Norway AS Norway Norsk Gallup Institute AS Norway Ogilvy & Mather AS Norway TNS Gallup AS Norway Uncle Grey Oslo AS Norway WPP Norway AS Norway Wunderman Oman - Diamonds Screen SOC Oman GroupM Pakistan (Private) Ltd. Pakistan WPP Marketing Communications (Pvt) Ltd. Pakistan ASDAA Public Relations Holding Inc. Panama G2 International Corp. Panama IMT Advertising (Holding) Inc. Panama J Walter Thompson S.A. Panama TNS Data S.A. (Panama) Panama WNDRM Inc. Panama JWT SA Paraguay Ad-Hoc SA Peru Energía Publicitaria S.A. Peru GCG Perú S.A.C. Peru LatinPanel Perú S.A. Peru Millward Brown Perú S.R.L. Peru MindShare Perú S.A.C. Peru Momentum Ogilvy & Mather SA Peru The MediaEdge SA Peru Y&R SA Peru 360 TTL Sp.z.o.o. Poland Argonauts sp.z.o.o Poland Bates Poland Sp. z.o.o. Poland Cohn & Wolfe Sp.z.o.o. Poland Grey Worldwide Warszawa Sp. z.o.o Poland GroupM Sp.z.o.o. Poland Gruppa 66 Ogilvy Sp. z.o.o. Poland Hill and Knowlton Sp. z o.o Poland J Walter Thompson Warszawa Sp. z.o.o. Poland JWT Engage Spz.o.o. Poland Kantar Media sp. z o.o Poland Mather Communications Sp. z.o.o. Poland Maxus Sp.z.o.o. Poland Maxus Warszawa Sp z.o.o Poland MEC Sp.z.o.o Poland Media Plan Sp.z.o.o. Poland MediaCom - Warszawa Sp.z.o.o. Poland
JURISDICTION
| UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | |
| MindShare Polska Sp. z.o.o. | Poland |
| Ogilvy Action Sp z.o.o. | Poland |
| Ogilvy Brand Consulting Sp. z.o.o. | Poland |
| Ogilvy One Sp. z.o.o. | Poland |
| Ogilvy PR Sp. z o.o. | Poland |
| Osrodek Badania Opinii Publicznej | |
| Sp.z.o.o. | Poland |
| Pentor Research International Poznan Sp. | |
| z.o.o | Poland |
| Pentor Research International S.A. | Poland |
| Raymond Sp. z.o.o | Poland |
| Redworks Sp z.o.o. | Poland |
| SMG/KRC Poland Media S.A. | Poland |
| Soho Square Sp. z.o.o. | Poland |
| Taylor Nelson Sofres Poland Sp.z o.o | Poland |
| Testardo Gram Sp. z.o.o. | Poland |
| The Media Insight Polska Sp. z.o.o. | Poland |
| Wunderman Polska Sp. z.o.o. | Poland |
| Young & Rubicam Poland Sp. z.o.o. | Poland |
| APP - Agencia Portugesa de Producao | |
| ACE | Portugal |
| Bates Red Cell Portugal - Publicidade e | |
| Marketing S.A. | Portugal |
| Easy Media Central de Meios de | |
| Publicidade S.A. | Portugal |
| Euroteste-Marketing e Opiniao, SA | Portugal |
| Futurecom (Portugal) - Marketing, | |
| Telemarketing e Sistemas de | |
| Informacao Lda | Portugal |
| Grey Lisboa- Agencia de Publicidad S.A. | Portugal |
| GroupM Publicidade Advertising S.A. | Portugal |
| Hill & Knowlton Portugal SA | Portugal |
| J Walter Thompson Publicidade S.A. | Portugal |
| Maxus Portugal Lda | Portugal |
| Media Insight - Tempo e Meios | |
| Publicitarios, Lda | Portugal |
| Mediaedge:CIA - Servicos Publicitarios | |
| Ltda | Portugal |
| MindShare - Planeamento e Compra de | |
| Tempo e Meios Publicitarios ACE | Portugal |
| Mindshare II - Meios Publicitarios Lda | Portugal |
| Ogilvy Interactive SA | Portugal |
| JURISDICTION UNDER |
|---|
| WHICH ORGANISED |
| COMPANY NAME | JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED |
|---|---|
| Ogilvy Public Relations, Unipessoal, Lda | Portugal |
| Ogilvy & Mather Design,Unipessoal Lda Ogilvy & Mather Portugal - Publicidade, |
Portugal |
| Unipessoal, Lda Ogilvy & Mather Portugal Directo |
Portugal |
| Servicos S.A. Outrider Search Marketing - Consultoria e |
Portugal |
| Servicos Web Lda Publimeios Publicidade e Distribucao de |
Portugal |
| Meios S.A. | Portugal |
| Red Partner Unipessoal, Lda | Portugal |
| Synergy Connect - Communicacao De | |
| Publicidade Interactiva Unipessoal, Lda WPP (Portugal) Sociedade Gestora de |
Portugal |
| Participacoes Sociais Lda WPP Portugal - Servicos Partihados, |
Portugal |
| Unipessaoal, Lda | Portugal |
| Wunderman Cato Johnson (Portugal) Lda Young & Rubicam (Portugal) - |
Portugal |
| Publicidade, S.A. | Portugal |
| Young & Rubicam (Portugal) - Sociedade | |
| Gestora de Participacoes Sociais | |
| Unipessoal, Lda | Portugal |
| Grey Puerto Rico, Inc. | Puerto Rico |
| GroupM Puerto Rico Inc. | Puerto Rico |
| Hill & Knowlton PR Inc. | Puerto Rico |
| J Walter Thompson Promotions & Direct | |
| Inc. | Puerto Rico |
| J. Walter Thompson Puerto Rico, Inc. | Puerto Rico |
| Young & Rubicam of Puerto Rico Inc. | Puerto Rico |
| Grey Worldwide Middle East Network | |
| Qatar W.L.L. | Qatar |
| Gulf Hill & Knowlton LLC | Qatar |
| Team Y&R WLL (Qatar) | Qatar |
| Grey Worldwide Romania SRL | Romania |
| Kantar Media Audiences S.R.L. | Romania |
| Kinetic Worldwide Romania SRL | Romania |
| Mather Communications SRL | Romania |
| MediaCom Romania Srl | Romania |
| Mediaedge:cia Romania Srl | Romania |
| MindShare Media Srl | Romania |
COMPANY NAME Ogilvy & Mather Advertising SRL Romania OgilvyAction Romania SRL Romania OgilvyOne Advertising SRL Romania Portland Romania Advertising SRL Romania Alite LLC Russian Federation LLC 'Ogilvy & Mather' Russian Federation LLC "Mather Communications" Russian Federation LLC "Maximise" Russian Federation LLC "Mindshare Interaction" Russian Federation LLC "Mindshare" Russian Federation LLC Young & Rubicam FMS Russian Federation Marketing Information Center Russian Federation Mediacom LLC Russian Federation TNS Gallup Adfact Russian Federation TNS Gallup Media Russian Federation TNS Marketing Information Center St. Petersburg Russian Federation TNS Marketing Information Center Tula Russian Federation Wunderman LLC Russian Federation Advanced Marketing Results Al Baheth LLC Saudi Arabia Arab for Advertising LLC (Grey Saudi Arabia) Saudi Arabia Arab for Advertising LLC (MediaCom Saudi Arabia) Saudi Arabia International Marketing Company WLL Saudi Arabia RMG Connect (Altawasol International For Advertising) Ltd. Saudi Arabia Team Advertising SP Saudi Arabia Tihama al Mona International Advertising Ltd. Saudi Arabia Research & Marketing Services International Senegal SA (to be renamed TNS RMS Senegal SA) Senegal Grey d.o.o. Belgrad Serbia, Republic of 10AM Communications Pte Ltd. Singapore Bates 141 Pte Ltd. Singapore Bates 141 Singapore Pte Ltd. Singapore Batey (Pte) Ltd. Singapore Batey Holdings Pte Ltd. Singapore Blue Interactive Marketing Pte Ltd. Singapore
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
Burson-Marstelller (S.E.A.) Pte Ltd. Singapore Carl Byoir (SEA) Pte Ltd. Singapore Comwerks Pte Ltd. Singapore Cybersoft OgilvyInteractive Pte Ltd. Singapore Deliriumcybertouch (Asia) Pte Ltd. Singapore Demand Pte Ltd. Singapore Dentsu Young & Rubicam Pte Ltd. Singapore Encompass Private Ltd. Singapore Enfatico Pte Limited Singapore Fitch Design Pte Ltd. Singapore Grey Group PTE Ltd. Singapore GroupM Asia Pacific Holdings Pte Ltd. Singapore GroupM ESP Pte Ltd. Singapore GroupM Singapore Pte Ltd. Singapore Hill & Knowlton (SEA) Pte Ltd. Singapore IMRB Millward Brown International Pte Ltd. Singapore J Walter Thompson (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Singapore Kinetic Worldwide Media Pte Ltd. Singapore Landor Associates Designers & Consultants Pte Ltd. Singapore MEC Media Singapore Pte. Ltd. Singapore Ogilvy & Mather (Singapore) Private Ltd. Singapore Redworks (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Singapore Research International Asia Pte Ltd. Singapore Saffron Hill Research Pte Limited Singapore Scotts Road Management Services LLP Singapore Sercon Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. Singapore Siang Design International Pte Ltd. Singapore Soho Square Pte Ltd. Singapore Spafax Airline Network (Singapore) Pte Ltd. Singapore Taylor Nelson Sofres Singapore Pte Limited Singapore The Brand Union Pte Ltd. Singapore WPP Holdings (S) Pte. Ltd. Singapore WPP Singapore Pte Ltd. Singapore Wunderman Asia Holdings Pte Ltd. Singapore Wunderman Pte Ltd. Singapore XM Asia Pacific Pte Ltd. Singapore Creo/Young & Rubicam s.r.o. Slovakia Barci & Partner Bratislava s.r.o. Slovakia Mediaedge:cia Slovak Republic s.r.o Slovakia Mindshare Slovakia s.r.o. Slovakia MediaCom Bratislava s.r.o. Slovakia TNS Slovakia s.r.o Slovakia
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
| UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| TNS Infratest Slovakia s.r.o. | Slovakia |
| GroupM Slovakia s.r.o. | Slovakia |
| Redworks Digital Bratislava s.r.o. | Slovakia |
| Grey Ljubiljana Agencija za truze | |
| kommunique d.o.o. | Slovenia |
| Poster Publicity Ltd. Ljubljana | Slovenia |
| Aqua Online (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Base Two Digtital (Propietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Bates 141 (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| BLGK Bates (Proprietary) Limited (South | |
| Africa) | South Africa |
| Brand Activation 141 (Proprietary) | |
| Limited | South Africa |
| CiForce (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Code Red Communications (Pty) Ltd. | South Africa |
| Coley Porter Bell South Africa | |
| (Proprietary) Ltd. | South Africa |
| Glendinning Management Consultants | |
| South Africa (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| GrappelGroup 141 (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Grey Channel (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Grey Financial Services (Proprietary) | |
| Limited | South Africa |
| Grey Group South Africa (Proprietary) | |
| Limited | South Africa |
| Grey Worldwide South Africa | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| GroupM Media South Africa (Proprietary) | |
| Limited | South Africa |
| Hamilton Russell South Africa | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Harrison Human Bates (Proprietary) | |
| Limited | South Africa |
| Interactive Edge (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| J Walter Thompson Cape Town | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| J Walter Thompson Company (CT) | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| J Walter Thompson Company (JHB) | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| J Walter Thompson Company South | |
| Africa (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| J Walter Thompson South Africa Holdings | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
|---|
| ORGANISED |
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
|---|---|
| Kantar South Africa (Pty) Limited | South Africa |
| KSDP Brandafrica (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| KSDP Group (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| KSDP Johannesburg (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| KSDP Pentagraph (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Mediacompete (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Mediaedge:cia (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Millward Brown South Africa (Pty) Ltd. | South Africa |
| Mindshare South Africa (Cape) | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Mindshare South Africa (Gauteng) | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| MindShare South Africa (Proprietary) | |
| Limited | South Africa |
| Mother Russia Communications (Pty) Ltd. | South Africa |
| Nota Bene Media Planning Agency | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Ogilvy Action (Pty) Ltd. | South Africa |
| Ogilvy Cape Town (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Ogilvy Healthworld South Africa | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Ogilvy Interactive Worldwide | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Ogilvy Johannesburg (Proprietary) | |
| Limited | South Africa |
| Ogilvy Neo South Africa (Pty) Ltd. | South Africa |
| Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Ogilvy South Africa (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| OgilvyOne Worldwide Cape Town | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| OgilvyOne Worldwide Johannesburg | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Orange Juice Design (Cape Town) | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Redworks Communications (Pty) Ltd. | South Africa |
| Redworks Communications Johannesburg | |
| (Pty) Ltd. | South Africa |
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH
| UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Research International (South Africa) | |
| (Proprietary) Ltd. | South Africa |
| The Added Value Group (Proprietary) | |
| Limited | South Africa |
| The Brand Union (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| The Customer Equity Company (SA) | |
| (PTY) Limited | South Africa |
| Thompson Connect (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| TNS Research Surveys (Pty) Limited | South Africa |
| WPP Memeza Holding (Proprietary) | |
| Limited | South Africa |
| Young & Rubicam Hedley Byrne | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Young & Rubicam South Africa | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Zing Communications (Proprietary) | |
| Limited | South Africa |
| Zoom Advertising South Africa | |
| (Proprietary) Limited | South Africa |
| Added Value Planners SL | Spain |
| Adhoc Share Holdings SL | Spain |
| Ad-Hoc Young & Rubicam SL | Spain |
| Agora GCI Barcelona SL | Spain |
| Atletico International Advertising SL | Spain |
| Axicom Spain SL | Spain |
| Bassat Ogilvy Comunicación SL | Spain |
| Bassat, Ogilvy & Mather Barcelona SA | Spain |
| Bassat, Ogilvy & Mather Madrid SA | Spain |
| Beaumont Bennett Madrid SLU | Spain |
| Boole Relaciones Inteligentes con Clientes | |
| SL | Spain |
| BSB Publicidad Asturias SL | Spain |
| BSB Publicidad SA | Spain |
| BSB Publicidad Tenerife SL | Spain |
| Burson-Marsteller SL | Spain |
| CB'a Graell Design, SL | Spain |
| Centro de investigacion y Compra de | |
| Medios SL | Spain |
| Comercial de Productos y Alquileres, S.A. | Spain |
| Comunicacion y Servicio Consultores de | |
| Marketing y Publicidad SL | Spain |
JURISDICTION
| JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Cordiant Advertising Holding SA | Spain |
| Delvico 2IN SL | Spain |
| Delvico Communicacion SLU | Spain |
| Estudio Graphic Line SLU | Spain |
| Expansion de Ventas SL | Spain |
| Focus Media SL | Spain |
| Full Contact la Agencia de Comunicacion | |
| Integrada SLU | Spain |
| G2 Intelligence SL | Spain |
| G2 Worldwide Spain S.L.U | Spain |
| GMBG Holdings Spain SL | Spain |
| Grey Espana SLU | Spain |
| Grey Healthcare Spain SL | Spain |
| Grey Iberia SL | Spain |
| GroupM Publicidad Worldwide SAU | Spain |
| Healthworld España SL | Spain |
| Hill & Knowlton Espana SA | Spain |
| Indecsa Research International SA | Spain |
| JWT Delvico SLU | Spain |
| Kantar Media S.A. | Spain |
| Kantya Estrategias de Marca SL | Spain |
| Kinetic Worldwide SA | Spain |
| Madrid Redes de Campo SA | Spain |
| Mass Media Station SA | Spain |
| MEC Interaction Worldwide SL | Spain |
| MEC Sponsorship Worldwide SL | Spain |
| Mediacom Iberia SA | Spain |
| Mediaedge:cia Mediterranea SA | Spain |
| Mediaedge:CIA, SL | Spain |
| Mediasur Agencia De Medios SA | Spain |
| Millward Brown Spain SAU | Spain |
| Mindshare Spain SA | Spain |
| Mr John Sample S.L. | Spain |
| Neo Ogilvy SA | Spain |
| NFO Infratest SL | Spain |
| Ogilvy Action BCN SA | Spain |
| Ogilvy Action SA | Spain |
| Ogilvy Healthworld Barcelona SA | Spain |
| Ogilvy Healthworld Madrid S.L.U. | Spain |
| Ogilvy Interactive SA | Spain |
| OgilvyOne Worldwide SA | Spain |
| Outrider SL Unipersona | Spain |
| Power Station Factory SL | Spain |
| Real Media SA | Spain |
| Red de Medios SA | Spain |
| Red Shots SL | Spain |
| RMG Connect SL | Spain |
| JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|---|
| ORGANISED | COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Spain | Grey Holdings AB | Sweden |
| Spain | Grey Reklamebyrå i Malmo AB | Sweden |
| Spain | Grey Worldwide Stockholm AB | Sweden |
| Spain | GroupM Holding AB | Sweden |
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| Sweden | ||
| OgilvyOne Worldwide AB | Sweden | |
| Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Spain Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Sri Lanka Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden Sweden |
Cohn & Wolfe Gruppen AB Cohn & Wolfe Stockholm AB Cronert & Co. AB Everystone Nordic AB G2 Stockholm AB GCI Mannov Malmo AB Grey Direkt AB Grey Global Group Sweden AB GroupM Sweden AB Hall & Cederqvist/Young & Rubicam AB Halson Partners AB Hill & Knowlton Sweden AB Impiric AB Infratest Burke International AB J Walter Thompson Oresund AB KGM Datadistribution AB Kinetic Sweden AB Maxus Communications AB Media Insikt AB Media Support Scandanavian AB Mediacommunications Göteborg AB MediaCommunications Services Sverige AB Mediacommunications Sverige I Stockholm AB MediaCompany Sweden AB Mediaedge:cia Content AB Mediaedge:cia Nordic AB Mediaedge:cia Sweden AB Mindshare BroadMind Sweden AB Mindshare Sweden AB Moller Mortensen Annonsbyra AB Navigare Medical Marketing Research AB Nomina Prospecting AB O&A Purchaser AB Observera Grey Annonsbyrå AB Ogilvy Activation AB Ogilvy Advertising AB Ogilvy Nordic AB Ogilvy Sweden AB |
Ogvily Group AB Sweden
COMPANY NAME Ogvily PR AB Sweden Old Bates AB Sweden Outrider Sweden AB Sweden Promedia Sverige AB Sweden PS International AB Sweden Real Media Scandinavia AB Sweden Research International Sweden AB Sweden SCP AB Sweden Sifo International AB Sweden Sifo Management Group AB Sweden Sifo Sweden AB Sweden Spielvogel Bates Helsingborg AB Sweden Strenstrom Red Cell AB Sweden Svenska Gallup AB Sweden Taylor Nelson Sofres Sverige AB Sweden The Brand Union AB Sweden Tidningsstatistik AB Sweden TNS Automotive AB Sweden TNS Gallup AB Sweden TNS Prospera AB Sweden WPP Sweden AB Sweden Wunderman Sweden AB Sweden Young & Rubicam Sweden AB Sweden 24/7 Real Media Europe Holding SA Switzerland 24/7 Real Media Technology SA Switzerland Advico Young & Rubicam AG Switzerland All Access AG Switzerland Burson-Marsteller AG Switzerland Dr Schlegel Pharmamarketing AG Switzerland FutureCom Interactive AG Switzerland Grey Worldwide AG Switzerland GroupM Switzerland AG Switzerland Guye Benker Werbeagentur AG Switzerland J Walter Thompson AG Switzerland Kinetic Worldwide Switzerland AG Switzerland Landor Associates Branding Consultants and Designers Worldwide (Switzerland) Sarl Switzerland MC Media Company AG Switzerland Mediaedge:CIA Switzerland AG Switzerland MindShare AG Switzerland Ogilvy PR AG Switzerland Ogilvy & Mather AG Switzerland OgilvyOne AG Switzerland Red Cell AG Switzerland TNS International SARL Switzerland Wunderman AG Switzerland
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
| JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH |
|
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | ORGANISED |
| Young & Rubicam Business | |
| Communications SA | Switzerland |
| Young & Rubicam Holding AG | Switzerland |
| Agenda Taiwan Ltd. | Taiwan |
| Bates Taiwan Co. Ltd. | Taiwan |
| David Advertising (Taiwan) Co. Ltd. | Taiwan |
| Dentsu Young & Rubicam Co. Ltd. | Taiwan |
| G2 Taiwan Co. Ltd. | Taiwan |
| Mediaedge:cia Taiwan Ltd. | Taiwan |
| Millward Brown Ltd., Taiwan Branch | Taiwan |
| Ogilvy Identity Enterprise IG (Taiwan) | |
| Co. Ltd. | Taiwan |
| Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Co. | |
| Ltd. | Taiwan |
| Ogilvy & Mather (Taiwan) Co. Ltd. | Taiwan |
| Ogilvy & Mather Direct (Taiwan) Co. Ltd. | Taiwan |
| Ogilvy & Mather Identity Management | |
| Ltd. | Taiwan |
| Taylor Nelson Sofres Taiwan Ltd. | Taiwan |
| Team-Mate Marketing Consultants Co. | |
| Ltd. | Taiwan |
| Team-Mate Marketing Development & | |
| Services Ltd. | Taiwan |
| 141 (Thailand) Co. Ltd. | Thailand |
| 141 Worldwide Ltd. | Thailand |
| Bates (Thailand) Co. Ltd. | Thailand |
| Conquest Communicatons Co. Ltd. | Thailand |
| Contract Advertising (Thailand) Co. Ltd. | Thailand |
| Dentsu Young & Rubicam Ltd. | Thailand |
| Enterprise IG Limited | Thailand |
| Grey (Thailand) Co. Ltd. | Thailand |
| Grey Direct Interactive Co. Ltd. | Thailand |
| Grey Siam Co. Ltd. | Thailand |
| Kinetic Worldwide (Thailand) Co. Ltd. | Thailand |
| MDK Consultants (Thailand) Ltd. | Thailand |
| MediaCom Co. Ltd. | Thailand |
| Millward Brown Firefly Ltd. | Thailand |
| Minteraction Company Ltd. | Thailand |
| Monday People Co., Ltd. | Thailand |
| Ogilvy Brands by Design Ltd. | Thailand |
| Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide | |
| Limited | Thailand |
| OgilvyAction Ltd. | Thailand |
| WHICH | |
|---|---|
| COMPANY NAME | |
| OgilvyOne Worldwide Limited | Thailand |
| Power Response Advertising Limited | Thailand |
| Research International Asia (Thailand) | |
| Ltd. | Thailand |
| Taylor Nelson Sofres (Thailand) Limited | Thailand |
| WhizzbangArt Ltd. | Thailand |
| WPP (Thailand) Ltd. | Thailand |
| WPP Marketing Communications | |
| (Thailand) Ltd. | Thailand |
| J Walter Thompson (Tunisia) Limited | Tunisia |
| Capitol Halkla Iliskiler ve Iletisim | |
| Hizmetleri A.S. | Turkey |
| Gram Reklamcilik Ltd. Sti | Turkey |
| Grey Worldwide Istanbul Reklamcilik Ltd. | |
| Sti | Turkey |
| GroupM Medya Hizmetleri Ltd. Sti | Turkey |
| Kinetic Reklam Hizmetleri Limited | Turkey |
| Maxus Medya Hizmetleri Ticaret A.S. | Turkey |
| MEC Ýletiþim Planlama Hizmetleri | |
| Limited Þirketi | Turkey |
| MediaCom Istanbul Medya Hizmetleri | |
| A.S. | Turkey |
| Millward Brown Pazar Arastirmalari | |
| Ticaret Limited Sti | Turkey |
| Mindshare Medya Hizmetleri A.S. | Turkey |
| Ogilvy and Mather Reklamcilik A.S. | Turkey |
| Ogilvy Healthworld Reklamcilik | |
| Hizmetleri A.S. | Turkey |
| Ogilvy One Dogrudan Pazarlama A.S. | Turkey |
| Soho Square Reklamcilik Limited Sirketi | Turkey |
| Studyo Reklamcilik Sanayi LTD. Sti | Turkey |
| Team Red Reklamcýlýk ve Yayýncýlýk | |
| Limited Þirketi | Turkey |
| TNS Piyasa Araþtýrma Danýþmanlýk ve | |
| Ticaret Anonim Þirketi | Turkey |
| Young & Rubicam Reklamevi Reklamcilik | |
| LTD. Sti | Turkey |
| Enterprise Grey LLC | Ukraine |
| Mather Communications LLC | Ukraine |
| Mediacom LLC | Ukraine |
| Mediaedge:cia LLC | Ukraine |
| Mindshare LLC | Ukraine |
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
COMPANY NAME Ogilvy Group Ltd. Ukraine Taylor Nelson Sofres Ukraine Limited Ukraine Young & Rubicam LLC Ukraine ADVERTISING & MARKETING RESULTES - AL BAHETH (A.M.R.B) L.L.C. United Arab Emirates Asdaa Advertising FZ LLC United Arab Emirates Asdaa Advertsing LLC United Arab Emirates Classic Partnership Advertising FZ LLC United Arab Emirates Grey Worldwide Co. LLC United Arab Emirates gsFITCH FZ-LLC United Arab Emirates Intermarkets Advertising FZ-LLC United Arab Emirates Intermarkets Advertising LLC United Arab Emirates J Walter Thompson LLC United Arab Emirates MEC (Mediaedge CIA) FZ LLC United Arab Emirates RMG Connect Consultancy FZE United Arab Emirates Tatoo FZ LLC United Arab Emirates Team Gulf Advertising LLC United Arab Emirates Team Y&R Advertising LLC (Abu Dhabi) United Arab Emirates Wunderman WCJ FZ LLC United Arab Emirates Wunderman WCJ FZ LLC United Arab Emirates 141 Blue Skies Limited United Kingdom 24/7 Real Media UK Ltd. United Kingdom Added Value Group Holdings Limited United Kingdom Added Value Limited United Kingdom Addison Corporate Marketing Limited United Kingdom Addison Investments Limited United Kingdom Airport Media International Ltd. United Kingdom All Global Limited United Kingdom Allan Burrows Limited United Kingdom Alton Wire Products Ltd. United Kingdom Ambassador Square United Kingdom Applied Research & Communications Limited United Kingdom Art Company (Creative Services)
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Limited (The) United Kingdom
Artwork Direct Ltd. United Kingdom Asset Marketing Limited United Kingdom Atlas Advertising Limited United Kingdom Automotive Marketing Ltd. United Kingdom Aviator Media Limited United Kingdom Axicom Group Limited United Kingdom Axicom Limited United Kingdom B1 Media Limited United Kingdom B1.com Limited United Kingdom Bamber Forsyth Limited United Kingdom Banner Corporation PLC United Kingdom Banner Public Relations Limited United Kingdom Bates Communications Limited United Kingdom Bates Europe Limited United Kingdom Bates Healthcom Limited United Kingdom Bates Integrated Communications Limited United Kingdom Bates Overseas Holdings Limited United Kingdom BDG Facilities Ltd. United Kingdom BDG MCCOLL LIMITED United Kingdom BDGWORKFUTURES LIMITED United Kingdom Beaumont Square United Kingdom Beaumont-Bennett Limited United Kingdom Belgrave Square United Kingdom Beyond Interactive Limited United Kingdom Bisqit Design Limited United Kingdom BJK & E Holdings Ltd. United Kingdom BJM Research and Consultancy Limited United Kingdom Black Cat Direct Ltd. United Kingdom Black Cat RMG Connect Ltd. United Kingdom Blanc And Otus (UK) Limited United Kingdom Blue Skies Agency Limited (The) United Kingdom Blue State Digital UK Limited United Kingdom BMRB Customer Satisfaction Ltd. United Kingdom BMRB Customer Satisfaction Measurements Ltd. United Kingdom BMRB UK Ltd. United Kingdom Bone Studio Limited United Kingdom Brand Futures Consultancy Limited (The) United Kingdom Brand Union Holdings Ltd. (The) United Kingdom Brand Union Limited (The) United Kingdom Brand Union Worldwide Ltd. (The) United Kingdom Brandamp Ltd. United Kingdom
Brandmade Media Group Limited (The) United Kingdom
Brilliant Books Ltd. United Kingdom British Market Research Bureau Ltd. United Kingdom Buchanan Communications Ltd. United Kingdom Bulletin International Limited United Kingdom Bulletin International UK Limited United Kingdom Burson-Marsteller (UK) Limited United Kingdom Burson-Marsteller Ltd. United Kingdom Business Design Group McColl Ltd. United Kingdom Business Planning and Research Limited United Kingdom Campaign Planning Ltd. United Kingdom Carl Byoir (UK) Ltd. United Kingdom CCG.XM (UK) Limited United Kingdom CCG.XM Holdings Limited United Kingdom Cheetham Bell JWT Ltd. United Kingdom Chelsea Market Research Limited United Kingdom CIA Medianetwork Ireland Holdings Limited United Kingdom CIA Nominees Limited United Kingdom City Research Associates Limited United Kingdom City Research Group Limited United Kingdom City & Corporate Counsel Ltd. United Kingdom Clarion Communications (P.R.) Limited United Kingdom CLEVER MEDIA PRODUCTIONS LTD. United Kingdom CME Scholar Limited United Kingdom Cockpit Holdings Limited United Kingdom Cockpit Two Limited United Kingdom Cohn & Wolfe Ltd. United Kingdom Coley Porter Bell Ltd. United Kingdom Colwood Healthworld Limited United Kingdom Common Technology Centre EEIG United Kingdom Communique Public Relations Ltd. United Kingdom Connect Five Limited United Kingdom Connect One Limited United Kingdom Connect Six Limited United Kingdom Conquest Creative Services Ltd. United Kingdom Conquest Europe (UK) Limited United Kingdom Conquest Media Ltd. United Kingdom Cordiant (US) Holdings Limited United Kingdom Cordiant Communications Group Limited United Kingdom Cordiant Communications Group Trustees Limited United Kingdom
Cordiant Group Limited United Kingdom Cordiant Overseas Holdings Limited United Kingdom Cordiant Pension Trustee Company Limited United Kingdom Cordiant Property Holdings Limited United Kingdom Corporate Vision Ltd. United Kingdom Creative Services Unit Ltd. United Kingdom Creative Strategy Limited United Kingdom Credit Call Research United Kingdom Darwin - Grey Limited United Kingdom Decision Shop Limited (The) United Kingdom Deckchair Studio Limited United Kingdom Dialogue Marketing Partnership Ltd. United Kingdom Digital Artwork & Reprographic
Technology Limited United Kingdom Digitlondon Limited United Kingdom Direct MediaCom Limited United Kingdom DirectCom Limited United Kingdom Dovetail Contract Furniture Limited United Kingdom Dr. Puttner And Bates Limited United Kingdom Dynamiclogic (Europe) Limited United Kingdom Eaton Square Limited United Kingdom Ecumedia Limited United Kingdom Effective Sales Personnel Limited United Kingdom Enduring Organisation United Kingdom Enduring Organisation Three United Kingdom Enduring Organisation Two United Kingdom Enfatico Ltd. United Kingdom Enterprise IG UK Limited United Kingdom Euroclearing Limited United Kingdom Eurocrew Limited United Kingdom European Market Research Bureau Limited United Kingdom Everystone Limited United Kingdom EWA Ltd. United Kingdom Farm Post Production Limited (The) United Kingdom FAST4WD OGILVY LIMITED United Kingdom Fieldcontrol Limited United Kingdom Finchdean Limited United Kingdom Finsbury Limited United Kingdom Finsbury.com Ltd. United Kingdom FIPRA EU Limited United Kingdom
Fipra UK Ltd. United Kingdom First Music Ltd. United Kingdom Fitch Design Consultants Limited United Kingdom Fitch International Limited United Kingdom Fitch Limited United Kingdom Fitch Live Ltd. United Kingdom Fitch Worldwide Limited United Kingdom Fitch: Qatar Limited United Kingdom Flamingo Perspectives Limited United Kingdom Flexible Organisation United Kingdom Forward Data Management Limited United Kingdom Forward Limited United Kingdom Forward Publishing Agency Ltd. United Kingdom Forward Publishing Ltd. United Kingdom Foster Turner & Benson Ltd. United Kingdom G2 Agency Limited United Kingdom G2 Branding and Design Limited United Kingdom G2 Data Dynamics Limited United Kingdom G2 Interactive Limited United Kingdom G2 London Limited United Kingdom Garrott Dorland Crawford Holdings Limited United Kingdom GCI Financial (Holdings) Limited United Kingdom GCI Financial Group Limited United Kingdom GCI Group Limited United Kingdom GCI Healthcare Limited United Kingdom GCI Jane Howard Limited United Kingdom GCI London Limited United Kingdom GCI UK Limited United Kingdom Genesis Studios Ltd. United Kingdom GfK Taylor Nelson Sofres Limited United Kingdom GfK-TNS Limited United Kingdom GHG Access Limited United Kingdom GI Consulting Limited United Kingdom Global Sportnet UK Limited United Kingdom Goldfarb Consultants UK Ltd. United Kingdom Goldfarb Focus Ltd. United Kingdom Grey Advertising Limited United Kingdom Grey Communications Group Limited United Kingdom Grey Direct Limited United Kingdom Grey Entertainment and Media Limited United Kingdom
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COMPANY NAME Grey Europe Limited United Kingdom Grey GB Limited United Kingdom Grey Global Group (UK) Limited United Kingdom Grey Group Services Limited United Kingdom Grey Healthcare London Limited United Kingdom Grey Interactive Europe Limited United Kingdom Grey Limited United Kingdom Grey London Limited United Kingdom Grey Midlands Limited United Kingdom Grey Network Limited United Kingdom Grey North Limited United Kingdom Grey NT Limited United Kingdom Grey PTK Advertising Limited United Kingdom Grey Technology Services Limited United Kingdom Grey Worldwide Limited United Kingdom Greycom Limited United Kingdom Group Activation Ltd. United Kingdom GroupM Entertainment Ltd. United Kingdom GROUPM UK Ltd. United Kingdom Hamsard 2750 Limited United Kingdom Harrison Patten Troughton Limited United Kingdom Headcount Worldwide Field Marketing Limited United Kingdom Headlight Vision Ltd. United Kingdom Healthworld Holdings Limited United Kingdom Heath Wallace Limited United Kingdom Henley Centre Headlight Vision Ltd. United Kingdom Hereford Telecommunications United Kingdom Hi Resolution (Production) Limited United Kingdom Hill & Knowlton CIS Ltd. United Kingdom Hill & Knowlton Limited United Kingdom Hilton Advertising Limited United Kingdom Hive Management Services Limited United Kingdom Horizon Video Ltd. United Kingdom HP:ICM Limited United Kingdom Icomms Media Group Ltd. United Kingdom Icon Holdings (UK) Ltd. United Kingdom Ignite JV Limited United Kingdom Infratest Burke Asia Pacific Limited United Kingdom Infratest Burke Core Company Limited United Kingdom Infratest Burke Group Limited United Kingdom Infratest Burke International Services Limited United Kingdom
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
COMPANY NAME Infratest Burke Ltd. United Kingdom Intact Limited United Kingdom Intelliquest, Ltd. United Kingdom International Market Research Bureau Limited United Kingdom International Presentations Ltd. United Kingdom Interstar Holdings Limited United Kingdom i-syt Limited United Kingdom J Walter Thompson Company (Manchester) Ltd. United Kingdom J. Walter Thompson Company Ltd. United Kingdom J. Walter Thompson Group Limited United Kingdom J. Walter Thompson U.K. Holdings Limited United Kingdom Jack Morton Company Limited (The) United Kingdom Jermyn Street Communications Centre Limited United Kingdom JWT Specialized Communications Limited United Kingdom Kantar Group Limited (The) United Kingdom Kantar Media Intelligence Ltd. United Kingdom Kantar Media Research Group Limited United Kingdom Kantar Media UK Ltd. United Kingdom Kantar Retail UK Limited United Kingdom Key Lead Limited United Kingdom Kinetic Worldwide Group Limited United Kingdom Kinetic Worldwide Limited United Kingdom Kingsway Media Services Ltd. United Kingdom Lambie-Nairn & Company Ltd. United Kingdom Landor Associates Europe Ltd. United Kingdom Lighthouse Holdings (UK) Limited United Kingdom Lightspeed Research Ltd. United Kingdom Line Exchange Limited United Kingdom M 101 Limited United Kingdom Management Ventures Europe Limited United Kingdom Mando Corporation Limited United Kingdom Mando Services Ltd. United Kingdom Market Behaviour Limited United Kingdom Market Research Bureau Group Limited United Kingdom Market Research Bureau Limited United Kingdom Marketing Blueprint Limited United Kingdom Marketing Consultancy Ltd. (The) United Kingdom
UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
JURISDICTION
Limited United Kingdom
COMPANY NAME Mone Limited United Kingdom Moonraid Limited United Kingdom Mortimer Square Limited United Kingdom MRB Group Limited United Kingdom MRB International Limited United Kingdom MRB Research Group Ltd. United Kingdom MRB Research Ltd. United Kingdom Netcoms Europe Limited United Kingdom Network (The Ogilvy Media Company) Limited (The) United Kingdom Newcrosse Limited United Kingdom NFO European Access Panels Limited United Kingdom NFO Worldwide Limited United Kingdom North Kent Plastic Cages Ltd. United Kingdom Nylon Marketing Communications Ltd. United Kingdom O&M Consulting Ltd. United Kingdom O&M Europe Limited United Kingdom Oakley, Young Associates Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy 4D Limited United Kingdom Ogilvy Adams & Rinehart Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy Advertising Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy And Mather Advertising Limited United Kingdom Ogilvy Health PR Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy Healthworld Advertising Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy Healthworld Europe Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy Healthworld UK Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy Primary Contact Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy & Mather Dataconsult Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy & Mather Direct Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy & Mather Europe Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvy & Mather Group (Holdings) Limited United Kingdom Ogilvy & Mather International Media Limited United Kingdom Ogilvy & Mather Management Services United Kingdom Ogilvy & Mather Partners Limited United Kingdom Ogilvy & Mather Public Relations Ltd. United Kingdom
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
Ogilvy & Mather Teleservices Ltd. United Kingdom
COMPANY NAME Ogilvyinteractive Limited United Kingdom OgilvyOne Connections Group Ltd. (The) United Kingdom OgilvyOne Dataservices Ltd. United Kingdom OgilvyOne Ltd. United Kingdom Ogilvyone Management Services United Kingdom OgilvyOne Teleservices Ltd. United Kingdom OGILVYONE WORLDWIDE LTD. United Kingdom Ohal Limited United Kingdom Onezeroone Media Limited United Kingdom Opinion Research Limited United Kingdom Optitech Ltd. United Kingdom Outdoor Connection Ltd. United Kingdom Outdoor Focus Ltd. United Kingdom Outdoor MediaCom Limited United Kingdom Outrider Ltd. United Kingdom Outside The Box Communications Limited United Kingdom Oxford Academy for Professional Health Education Ltd. (The) United Kingdom P S D Associates Limited United Kingdom P.O.A. Holdings Limited United Kingdom Parker Bishop Limited United Kingdom Partners (Design Consultants) Limited (The) United Kingdom PCI:Live Ltd. United Kingdom PDM Communications Limited United Kingdom Peacock Services Ltd. United Kingdom Permanent Organisation United Kingdom Permanent Organisation Two United Kingdom Piler Ltd. United Kingdom Piranhakid Communications Limited United Kingdom Portland Outdoor Advertising Limited United Kingdom Possible Worldwide Limited United Kingdom Poster Business Ltd. (The) United Kingdom Poster Publicity Group Ltd. United Kingdom Poster Publicity Holdings Ltd. United Kingdom Poster Publicity Ltd. United Kingdom Poster Sites Management Limited United Kingdom Precis (567) Limited United Kingdom Precis Limited United Kingdom Premiere Consultants Ltd. United Kingdom Premiere Elite Limited United Kingdom Premiere Group Holdings Limited United Kingdom Premiere Licensing Ltd. United Kingdom Premiere Management Ltd. United Kingdom
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Sadek Wynberg Millward Brown Ltd. United Kingdom Sampson Tyrrell Corporate Marketing Ltd. United Kingdom Schemetype Limited United Kingdom Scott Stern Associates Limited United Kingdom Scott Stern Limited United Kingdom Secure Two Limited United Kingdom SGA Research International Ltd. United Kingdom Sharpen Troughton Owens Response Ltd. United Kingdom Showcase Placements (UK) Limited United Kingdom Signposter.com Ltd. United Kingdom Sirius Holdings United Kingdom SJS Management Services Ltd. United Kingdom Softmedia Limited United Kingdom Soho Square (Advertising) Ltd. United Kingdom Sonic Sun Limited United Kingdom Spafax Airline Network Ltd. United Kingdom SparkLab Limited United Kingdom SponsorCom Limited United Kingdom Sponsorship Business Limited (The) United Kingdom Squash DVD Ltd. United Kingdom Stickleback Limited United Kingdom Strategic Marketing Consultancy Limited United Kingdom Stream Digital Artwork Systems Ltd. United Kingdom Sudler & Hennessey Ltd. United Kingdom Taylor Nelson Sofres International Limited United Kingdom Taylor Nelson Sofres Services Limited United Kingdom Taylor Nelson Sofres Trustees Limited United Kingdom TBU Holdings Ltd. United Kingdom Ted Bates Holdings Limited United Kingdom Telebingo Limited United Kingdom Telephone Market Research Bureau Ltd. United Kingdom Tempest Online Marketing Ltd. United Kingdom Tempus Employees United Kingdom Tempus Group Holdings Limited United Kingdom Tempus Group Limited United Kingdom Tempus Group Trust Company (1990) Limited (The) United Kingdom
Ultimate Square United Kingdom Uncle Post Production Limited United Kingdom
COMPANY NAME United London Communications Ltd. United Kingdom VAP Group Limited United Kingdom VAP International Communications Ltd. United Kingdom Visual Art Productions (Oxford) Limited United Kingdom VML London Ltd. United Kingdom Voluntarily United Creative Agencies Limited United Kingdom Warwicks UK Ltd. United Kingdom Watershed Studio Ltd. United Kingdom Westbourne Terrace Management Services Ltd. United Kingdom WG Consulting Healthcare Ltd. United Kingdom Wildfire Word of Mouth Limited United Kingdom Wire & Plastic Products Limited United Kingdom Wise Conclusion United Kingdom WOW Factory Ltd. (The) United Kingdom WPP 1177 United Kingdom WPP 1178 United Kingdom WPP 2005 Limited United Kingdom WPP 2008 Ltd. United Kingdom WPP 2318 Ltd. United Kingdom WPP 2323 Limited United Kingdom WPP 2709 Limited United Kingdom WPP 2828 Ltd. United Kingdom WPP AMC Holdings United Kingdom WPP ATTICUS United Kingdom WPP Beans Limited United Kingdom WPP Brandz United Kingdom WPP Cap Limited United Kingdom WPP Communications Ltd. United Kingdom WPP COMPETE United Kingdom WPP Consulting Limited United Kingdom WPP CP Finance plc United Kingdom WPP Das Limited United Kingdom WPP Direct Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Eight) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Eleven) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Fifteen) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Five) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Four) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Fourteen) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Nineteen) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (One) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Seven) United Kingdom
WPP Dotcom Holdings (Seventeen) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Six) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Sixteen) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Ten) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Thirteen) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Three) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Twelve) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Twenty) United Kingdom WPP Dotcom Holdings (Two) United Kingdom WPP Dutch Holdings Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Enterprise Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Finance (UK) United Kingdom WPP Finance 2010 United Kingdom WPP Finance Co. Limited United Kingdom WPP Finance One plc United Kingdom WPP Flame United Kingdom WPP Global United Kingdom WPP Group (Nominees) Limited United Kingdom WPP Group (UK) Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Group Holdings Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Group Nominees Five Limited United Kingdom WPP Group Nominees Four Limited United Kingdom WPP Group Nominees One Limited United Kingdom WPP Group Nominees Three Limited United Kingdom WPP Group Nominees Two Limited United Kingdom WPP GUSA UK United Kingdom WPP Headline United Kingdom WPP India Limited United Kingdom WPP Insight Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Investments Ltd. United Kingdom WPP James Holdings Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Jargon Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Knowledge United Kingdom WPP LN Limited United Kingdom WPP Madrid Square Limited United Kingdom WPP Magic Limited United Kingdom WPP Marketing Communications Holdings Limited United Kingdom WPP Marketing Communications Spain United Kingdom WPP Montreal Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Netherlands United Kingdom
JURISDICTION UNDER WHICH ORGANISED
WPP No. 2337 Limited United Kingdom
COMPANY NAME WPP No. 2356 Limited United Kingdom WPP North Atlantic Limited United Kingdom WPP Ottawa Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Pearls Limited United Kingdom WPP Pension Trustees Limited United Kingdom WPP Phoenix 2004 United Kingdom WPP Phoenix Limited United Kingdom WPP Phoenix Two Limited United Kingdom WPP PREDICTIONS United Kingdom WPP Rasor UK United Kingdom WPP Rocky Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Sparkle Limited United Kingdom WPP Sparky Limited United Kingdom WPP Spike Limited United Kingdom WPP Toronto Ltd. United Kingdom WPP Unicorn Limited United Kingdom WPP Vancouver Ltd. United Kingdom WPP.Com Ltd. United Kingdom Wunderman Cato Johnson Nominees Limited United Kingdom Wunderman Limited United Kingdom XM United Kingdom Y & R Brazilian Holdings Limited United Kingdom Yes Solutions UK Ltd. United Kingdom Young & Rubicam Brands US Holdings United Kingdom Young & Rubicam Development (Holdings) Limited United Kingdom Young & Rubicam Europe Ltd. United Kingdom Young & Rubicam Group Ltd. United Kingdom Young & Rubicam Holdings (UK) Ltd. United Kingdom Young & Rubicam Pension Trustees Limited United Kingdom Despatch S.A. Uruguay J. Walter Thompson Uruguaya S.A. Uruguay Renier S.A. Uruguay
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COMPANY NAME UNDER WHICH ORGANISED Young & Rubicam S.A. Uruguay 141 Coimbra Publicidad, C.A. Venezuela Burson Marsteller de Venezuela CA Venezuela Grey Advertising de Venezuela, C.A. Venezuela J Walter Thompson de Venezuela C.A. Venezuela LatinPanel Venezuela C.A. Venezuela MindShare, C.A. Venezuela Ogilvy & Mather Andina C.A. Venezuela Servicios Portland de Venezuela C.A. Venezuela Bates 141 Vietnam Ltd. Vietnam Dentsu Young & Rubicam Vietnam Limited Vietnam Grey Global Group Vietnam Co. Ltd. Vietnam Millward Brown Vietnam Company Limited Vietnam NFO Vietnam Ltd. Vietnam Ogilvy & Mather Vietnam Ltd. Vietnam T&A Ogilvy Joint Venture Company Limited Vietnam T&A Ogilvy Joint Venture Company Ltd. Vietnam Taylor Nelson Sofres Vietnam Pte Limited Vietnam WPP Marketing Communications Vietnam Company Limited Vietnam WPP Media Ltd. Vietnam
Infinitude Holdings Ltd. Virgin Islands, British Impact Market Management Ltd. Virgin Islands, British
JURISDICTION
I, Sir Martin Sorrell, certify that:
Date: 29 April 2011
/s/ Sir Martin Sorrell Sir Martin Sorrell Group Chief Executive (principal executive officer)
I, Paul Richardson, certify that:
Date: 29 April 2011
/s/ Paul W.G. Richardson Paul W.G. Richardson Group Finance Director (principal financial officer)
In connection with the Annual Report of WPP plc (the "Company") on Form 20-F for the period ending 31 December 2010 (the "Report"), I, Sir Martin Sorrell, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
Date: 29 April 2011
/s/ Sir Martin Sorrell
Sir Martin Sorrell Group Chief Executive
In connection with the Annual Report of WPP plc (the "Company") on Form 20-F for the period ending 31 December 2010 (the "Report"), I, Paul Richardson, Group Finance Director of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:
Date: 29 April 2011
/s/ Paul W.G. Richardson
Paul W.G. Richardson Group Finance Director
We consent to the incorporation by reference in these Registration Statements No. 333-06378, No. 333-40516, No. 333- 103888, No. 333-108149, No. 333-119949, No. 333-129640, No. 333-129733, No. 333-145041, No. 333-152662 and No. 333-157729, each on Form S-8, and Registration Statement No. 333-158262 and 333-159691 each on Form F-3 of our reports relating to the consolidated financial statements of WPP plc and subsidiaries (the "Company") the effectiveness of the Company's internal control over financial reporting dated 29 April 2011, appearing in the Annual Report on Form 20-F of WPP plc for the year ended 31 December 2010.
/s/ Deloitte LLP DELOITTE LLP London, United Kingdom 29 April 2011
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