WPP has reportedly started a process for a potential sale of its public relations group, Burson.
The Times of London reported that investment bank Goldman Sachs is exploring options for the business which could pave the way for an eventual sale.
Burson was formed in 2024, with public relations representing about 10% of WPP’s business, with the combination of Hill & Knowlton and BCW.
Named after the late Harold Burson, a pioneer of modern public relations, Burson was then reported to be the world's biggest PR outfit with more than 6,000 employees in 43 markets.
WPP, under a new CEO, Cindy Rose, is undergoing restructuring in a strategy called Elevate28.
Fighting a slide in revenue and profits, client losses and a weak share price, WPP will transition from a holding company structure to a single company with core operating units: WPP Media, WPP Creative, WPP Production and WPP Enterprise Solutions.
The advertising group, once the world’s largest, posted full year 2025 revenue of £13.55 billion, down 8.1% on a reported basis and down 3.6% like-for-like.
Have something to say on this? Share your views in the comments section below. Or if you have a news story or tip-off, drop us a line at adnews@yaffa.com.au
Sign up to the AdNews newsletter, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for breaking stories and campaigns throughout the day.