Overview

• First-half revenue is now expected to fall 4.2–4.5%, with second-quarter sales sliding 5.5–6% year on year.
• Operating profit for the period is forecast at £400m–£425m, reflecting a 280–330 basis-point margin contraction.
• Full-year revenue is projected to drop 3–5%, with operating margins down 50–175 basis points following cost reductions.
• Shares plunged over 13% on the profit warning as client budget cuts and economic uncertainty intensify market pressures.
• CEO Mark Read will depart at year-end after seven years leading the group, as WPP targets over £150m in severance savings and deepens AI investments through acquisitions such as Infosum.