a0517a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 6-K
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Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Month of September 2022
Commission File Number: 001-38303
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WPP plc
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
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Sea Containers, 18 Upper Ground
London, United Kingdom SE1 9GL
(Address of principal executive offices)
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Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F:
Form
20-F X Form 40-F
___
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1): ___
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the
submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an
attached annual report to security holders.
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper
as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7): ___
Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the
submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report
or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must
furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which
the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the
registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules
of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s
securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is
not a press release, is not required to be and has not been
distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if
discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form
6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.
Forward-Looking Statements
In
connection with the provisions of the U.S. Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (the ‘Reform Act’), the
Company 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, beliefs,
intentions, strategies, projections and anticipated future economic
performance based on assumptions and the like that are subject to
risks and uncertainties. These statements can be identified by the
fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current
facts. They use words such as ‘anticipate’,
‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘intend’,
‘will’, ‘project’, ‘plan’,
‘believe’, ‘target’, and other words and
similar references to future periods but are not the exclusive
means of identifying such statements. As such, all forward-looking
statements involve risk and uncertainty because they relate to
future events and circumstances that are beyond the control of the
Company. Actual results or outcomes may differ materially from
those discussed or implied in the forward-looking statements.
Therefore, you should not rely on such forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of the date they are made, as a prediction of
actual results or otherwise. Important factors which may cause
actual results to differ include but are not limited to: the impact
of outbreaks, epidemics or pandemics, such as the Covid-19 pandemic
and ongoing challenges and uncertainties posed by the Covid-19
pandemic for businesses and governments around the world; 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; changes
in competitive factors in the industries in which we operate and
demand for our products and services; our inability to realise the
future anticipated benefits of acquisitions; failure to realise our
assumptions regarding goodwill and indefinite lived intangible
assets; natural disasters or acts of terrorism; the Company’s
ability to attract new clients; the economic and geopolitical
impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine; the risk of global
economic downturn; technological changes and risks to the security
of IT and operational infrastructure, systems, data and information
resulting from increased threat of cyber and other attacks; the
Company’s exposure to changes in the values of other major
currencies (because a substantial portion of its revenues are
derived and costs incurred outside of the UK); 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. Neither the Company, nor any of its directors, officers
or employees, provides any representation, assurance or guarantee
that the occurrence of any events anticipated, expressed or implied
in any forward-looking statements will actually occur. 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.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No.
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Description
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1
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Acquisition dated 21 September 2022, prepared by WPP
plc.
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For immediate release
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21 September 2022
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WPP PLC ("WPP")
WPP acquires leading communications agency
JeffreyGroup
JeffreyGroup will join WPP's Hill+Knowlton Strategies, creating the
largest global communications agency presence in Latin
America
WPP today announces the acquisition of JeffreyGroup, one
of the most respected independent corporate communications, public
affairs, and marketing consulting firms in Latin
America.
JeffreyGroup will join the Hill+Knowlton Strategies international
network and will create the largest global communications agency
presence in Latin America, doubling Hill+Knowlton Strategies'
footprint in the region. Headquartered in Miami, with 330 people
across offices in Mexico City, Brasilia, Rio de Janeiro, São
Paulo and Buenos Aires, JeffreyGroup has been a powerhouse in Latin
America for nearly three decades.
The agency specialises in developing innovative, award-winning
brand and corporate communications programmes and public affairs
strategies for clients across a broad range of
industries, including Amazon, American Airlines, AstraZeneca,
Bacardí, Bayer, BlackRock, Johnson & Johnson, Marriott
International, Salesforce, TikTok, and Walt Disney World Resorts.
JeffreyGroup also recently earned more nominations than any
other agency in PRovoke Media's upcoming 2022 Latin America SABRE
Awards.
AnnaMaria DeSalva, Global Chairman and CEO of Hill+Knowlton
Strategies, said: "I've
admired JeffreyGroup since my early days as one of its clients, and
I'm delighted to welcome it and its employees into the
Hill+Knowlton and WPP families. Latin America is one of the most
dynamic communication markets today, offering a growing scope of
talent and innovation. Our combination with JeffreyGroup creates
step change opportunities and I'm excited about what we'll be able
to achieve together."
Jeffrey Sharlach, Founder and Chairman of JeffreyGroup,
said: "The
success of JeffreyGroup over the past 30 years in Latin America has
been due in large part to our ability to evolve and adapt in a
dynamic region of the world with diverse conditions, customs, and
cultures. Joining forces with WPP and Hill+Knowlton is an exciting
step forward in this evolution and opens up a world of resources
for our clients and opportunities for our hundreds of
employees."
Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: "WPP's
public relations and communications services have never been more
in-demand. Our clients want agile partners who can help them
navigate today's complex world and create the right spaces to tell
their stories. Latin America continues to be an important growth
market for our clients, and JeffreyGroup will strengthen our
established presence in the region and bring deep-rooted experience
of delivering tailored communications strategies that resonate with
audiences."
JeffreyGroup becomes the latest in a series of acquisitions -
including Newcraft, Corebiz, Bower
House Digital and Village
Marketing -
that form part of WPP's accelerated growth strategy and focused
M&A approach that further strengthens the company's core
creative capabilities in marketing, communications and design, and
builds on existing capabilities in experience, commerce and
technology.
Further information
Louise Lacourarie, WPP
+44 (0)20 7282 4600 / +44 7741 360931
louise.lacourarie@wpp.com
About WPP
WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of
creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients
and communities. For more information,
visit www.wpp.com.
About Hill+Knowlton Strategies
Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is an international communications
consultancy, providing services to local, multinational, and global
clients. H+K operates more than 70 offices in nearly 40 countries
worldwide, as well as an extensive associate network, delivering
award-winning campaigns to clients across all sectors and
disciplines and with a focus on continued innovation for the
industry. Headquartered in New York, the firm is part of WPP, one
of the world's largest communications services groups.
For more information about H+K, click here,
follow us on Twitter here,
like us on Facebook here,
and follow us on LinkedIn here.
About JeffreyGroup
JeffreyGroup is the leading independent corporate communications,
public affairs and marketing consulting firm in Latin America, with
a successful 29-year track record advising multinational companies
and global brands across a broad range of industry sectors.
Headquartered in Miami and with more than 330 employees,
JeffreyGroup has offices in Mexico City, Brasília, Rio de
Janeiro, São Paulo, and Buenos Aires, supported by a network
of local agency partners providing capabilities across the entire
region. JeffreyGroup is proud to serve some of the world's largest
companies and best-known brands, including Amazon, American
Airlines, AstraZeneca, Bacardí, Bayer, BlackRock, Johnson
& Johnson, Marriott International, Salesforce, TikTok, and Walt
Disney World Resorts, among others. www.jeffreygroup.com
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the
requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant
has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
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WPP
PLC
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(Registrant)
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Date:
21 September 2022.
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By:
______________________
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Balbir
Kelly-Bisla
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Company
Secretary
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