Overview
- Richard Foster, a 17-year WPP veteran who led Motion Content Group, filed a lawsuit in New York on Tuesday claiming he was fired after warning about alleged kickback practices.
- The complaint alleges GroupM generated $3 billion to $4 billion from rebate-driven deals over five years and improperly retained about $1.5 billion to $2 billion.
- Foster says he submitted a 35-page internal report, was asked for a "sanitized" version, was sidelined from key roles, and was terminated on July 10, 2025.
- The suit centers on volume-based discounts and other incentives that were allegedly not consistently disclosed to clients, noting that rebates are lawful in the U.S. but nondisclosure can create legal and contractual risks.
- WPP says Foster was let go in a restructuring, disputes the allegations, and states no court has made findings as it prepares a vigorous defense.