JWT and Wunderman merge to form Wunderman Thompson
WPP has announced the merger of two of its advertising agencies, J. Walter Thompson and Wunderman, to create Wunderman Thompson.
The merger will see the newly-created Wunderman Thompson position itself as a creative, data, commerce, consulting and technology agency.
WPP has merged two of its global creative agencies
Wunderman Thompson will be led by the global CEO of Wunderman, Mel Edwards. Meanwhile, Tamara Ingram, currently CEO of JWT, will become the new agency’s chairman.
Mark Read, who was appointed as WPP’s global CEO in September, said in a statement: “Wunderman Thompson is a formidable combination, bringing together the capabilities our clients are demanding – award-winning creativity alongside deep expertise in technology, data and commerce – in a single organisation.
“Clients want greater simplicity from their partners and this development, like others at WPP, is designed to reshape our company around their needs.
“It’s great news for our clients that we can combine the best of JWT and Wunderman in a single agency, and it’s great news for WPP as it allows us to compete more effectively in the sectors with the most significant opportunities for future growth.”
Locally, WPP AUNZ said it is business as usual until the merger is complete next year.
“WPP has just announced the intent to unite Wunderman Thompson with the new organisation to be operational in 2019.
“There is a lot of detail to work through between now and then and as further information becomes available, we will make announcements accordingly. In the meantime, it’s business as usual in ANZ.”
Edwards said the newly-created agency will offer clients exactly what they want, “brilliant creativity, expertise in data and sophisticated technology skills.”
“To achieve transformative outcomes, clients today need inspiration that is rooted in data-driven insight.”
Ingram added: “Both JWT and Wunderman have been built by the commitment of many talented people, whose combined capabilities will further distinguish us in the market.
“Coming together was a decision driven by the opportunity to better serve our clients, expand our offering and create an agency effectively positioned for the future. As Wunderman Thompson we will deliver world-class services in every geography, and work that is more meaningful and more impactful than ever.”
The merger comes just two months after WPP merged Y&R and VML to form VMLY&R.
In early October, WPP lost three global accounts in just one week as United Airlines, Ford and American Express moved their accounts out of the holding group.
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can’t wait for the next WPP CEO to create
VMLY&RWhiteGreyWundermanThompson
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How many mergers has WPP seen this year? ten? twelve?
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The end of an era, a sad day. I wonder if they’ll do a mock funeral for the Commodore, the Great J. Walter Thompson. God bless all that sailed upon her. The University of Advertising is officially closed. Hopefully its the birth of a brand new successful era for both companies….
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You have to wonder how a company that sees itself as experts in branding and strategy could contemplate abandoning the JWT brand.
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Pulling out the standard M&A response, yet again.
“It’s great news for WPP as it allows us to compete more effectively in the sectors with the most significant opportunities for future growth.”
How did the purveyors of Thompson Total Branding, let this one get past the goalie?
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Tying a leaky boat together with one that hasn’t yet taken on water is not a merger with a plan.
If Wunderman has the digital tools to succeed, why do they need the extra weight of JWT’s bloated payroll and entrenched processes to slow them down.
Most clients aren’t fools.
And those who still can’t see the recent VMLY&R shotgun wedding as nothing more than an internal WPP ‘hail mary’ deserve the pain that is to come.
Just as these agencies reevaluate their business, clients should see the new entities with fresh eyes.
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How do you make a dinosaur look younger?
Dress it in Edwardian top hat and spats.
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“To achieve transformative outcomes, clients today need inspiration that is rooted in data-driven insight.”
Rooted is right
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My thoughts exactly. It strikes me as a decision made by someone with a financial viewpoint only, and not considering the scale and reputation of the agencies involved.
Particularly J Walter Thompson / JWT. It’s like merging Coca Cola with Monster and calling it Cola Monster.
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Super sad to read this, change takes many victims, sad to see such a great brand be one. Very few agencies can say they have weathered the storm for over 100 years old. RIP JWT.
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