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
can’t wait for the next WPP CEO to create
VMLY&RWhiteGreyWundermanThompson
How many mergers has WPP seen this year? ten? twelve?
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….
You have to wonder how a company that sees itself as experts in branding and strategy could contemplate abandoning the JWT brand.
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.
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?
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.
How do you make a dinosaur look younger?
Dress it in Edwardian top hat and spats.
“To achieve transformative outcomes, clients today need inspiration that is rooted in data-driven insight.”
Rooted is right
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.