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 April 2023
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 ‘aim’,
‘anticipate’, ‘believe’,
‘estimate’, ‘expect’,
‘forecast’, ‘guidance’,
‘intend’, 'may', ‘will’,
‘should’, ‘potential’,
‘possible’, ‘predict’,
‘project’, ‘plan’, ‘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, epidemics or pandemics including restrictions on
businesses, social activities and travel; 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; changes in client advertising, marketing and
corporate communications requirements; 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, slower growth, increasing interest rates and
high and sustained inflation; supply chain issues affecting the
distribution of our clients’ products; 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” in the
company's 2022 Annual Report on Form 20-F, 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
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Exhibit
No.
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Description
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1
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Acquisition dated 20 April 2023, prepared by WPP plc.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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20 April 2023
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WPP PLC ("WPP")
WPP acquires sonic branding agency amp, expanding generative AI and
brand experience design offering
WPP today announces the acquisition of amp,one of the world's leading sonic
branding companies.
amp's expertise will strengthen WPP's offer in experiential
branding and its ability to create high-quality, differentiated,
and ownable sound experiences for clients. The acquisition comes
as sound
continues to grow as a vital branding element, with 75% of GenZ
consumers saying that music helps them to feel more
connected to brands[1].
amp will join WPP brand and design consultancy, Landor &
Fitch,
adding to the agency's expertise
in delivering immersive brand identities that transform customer
and employee experiences and set brands apart in a competitive
marketplace.
Founded in 2009 by Michele Arnese, amp is based in the US, Europe
and Asia, with main office hubs in Germany and the US. Its global
team of more than 60 people has created award-winning sonic
identities for some of the world's most influential brands,
including Mastercard, Mercedes-Benz, Kraft Heinz, Deloitte, Shell,
and General Motors.
amp's strategic rigour and deep expertise in music and sound is
based on its Sonic DNA® design approach. This unique creative
platform is elevated by Sonic Hub® - its AI toolset - allowing
it to analyse, create and manage sonic assets, delivering these at
scale by harnessing the potential of generative AI. This innovative
approach ensures that a brand's audio content is consistent yet
tailored to diverse audiences, delivering a seamless experience
across all consumer touchpoints.
Mark Read, CEO, WPP, said: "With
the rise of streaming, podcasting and short-form media, audio has
become a critical component of the marketing mix. The acquisition
of amp enhances our offer to clients, helping them create immersive
experiences that engage consumers on a deeper level and drive their
competitive advantage."
Jane Geraghty, Global CEO of Landor & Fitch,
said: "I'm
delighted to welcome amp into the fold. The team is truly
best-in-class and has effectively defined the rapidly growing sonic
branding space with its work on clients like Mastercard and
Mercedes-Benz. This acquisition gives us an unparalleled breadth of
capability - graphic, digital, motion, physical, product and
experiential - and now sonic. It will also help us accelerate our
rapidly growing accessible design practice. I'm enormously excited
about what we can achieve together."
Michele Arnese, Global CEO of amp, said: "We
are excited to join the WPP family. This industry-first move shows
the significance of sound as a must-have brand design and
experience component. Integrating more closely with Landor &
Fitch, true pioneers in brand design and consulting, will give us
the opportunity to scale our award-winning Sonic DNA® design
framework and our sonic AI platform Sonic Hub® within a
broader brand identity context. Our global team of creatives, sonic
experts, producers, client leads and researchers will team up with
Landor & Fitch and WPP to unleash the power of audio, making
brands sound better. We are beyond thrilled to begin this new
chapter."
Further information
Louise Lacourarie, WPP
+44 (0)20 7282 4600 / +44 7741 360931
louise.lacourarie@wpp.com
Kellie Carey, Landor & Fitch
kellie.carey@landorandfitch.com
Chris Bergin, amp -
US Contact
chrisbergin@ampcontact.com
Farah Syed, amp - EU Contact
farahsyed@ampcontact.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 amp
amp is the world's leading sonic branding company. Utilizing its
award-winning Sonic DNA®, amp creates holistic sonic
identities for global brands. Leveraging sound, voice, and music,
amp builds authentic connections for brands across audible
touchpoints. With a diverse portfolio of clients, including
Mastercard, Mercedes-Benz, Deloitte, Zurich Insurance, Uber,
Klarna, and Kraft Heinz, amp activates 360º sonic experiences
and assets. From digital advertising to branded content and user
experiences, amp's Sonic Hub® Ecosystem
uses AI-driven audio testing and voice technologies combined with
implementation and research tools to deliver valuable audience
insights and create sonic experiences for
brands.
ampsoundbranding.com
About Landor & Fitch
We are a leading global specialist brand and design company,
dedicated to creating transformative brands for ambitious clients.
With 1,200 curious minds across more than 20 countries, our teams
connect business ambition to brand strategy, expressed through
expansive, differentiated design. Using data and analytics, we
provide certainty to brand choices. With design capabilities that
span graphic, digital, motion, sound, verbal, product and physical,
we bring every facet of a brand to life. We help drive brand-led
growth across multiple categories, with clients that include Apple,
Bang & Olufsen, bp, Kellogg's, LEGO, Microsoft, Nike, Procter
& Gamble, Singtel, S&P Global and WPP, to name a few. We
are here to make a positive difference to our people, our clients
and the world around us. We are proud to be part of WPP, a creative
transformation company dedicated to building better
futures.
https://landorandfitch.com/
[1] A
study by PHMG found that 75%
of 18 to 24-year-olds and 62% of under 45s say music helps them
feel more connected to a brand, compared to just 41% of those 55
and over. Source: PHMG (2019)
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:
20 April 2023.
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By:
______________________
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Balbir
Kelly-Bisla
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Company
Secretary
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WPP (PK) (USOTC:WPPGF)
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