GroupM
{{Short description|American company}}
{{Infobox company
| name = GroupM
| logo = GroupM Hero Logo RGB png.png
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| image = 3 World Trade Center 074.jpg
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| image_caption = 3 World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan, where GroupM is headquartered.
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| type = Private
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| founded = {{Start date and age|2003}}
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| defunct = {{End date|2025|05|27}}
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| successor = WPP Media
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| hq_location_city = New York City, New York
| hq_location_country = United States
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| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Brian Lesser (CEO)|Marie-Claire Barker (CPO){{cite news |last1=Stam |first1=Aleda |title=Edelman appoints AIG's Soni Basi as global chief people officer |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1754707/edelman-appoints-aigs-soni-basi-global-chief-people-officer |work=PRWeek |quote=Basi is set to replace Marie-Claire Barker, who left Edelman in December to join WPP media agency GroupM as chief people officer. |date=May 3, 2022 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=December 3, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221203151529/https://www.prweek.com/article/1754707/edelman-appoints-aigs-soni-basi-global-chief-people-officer |url-status=live }}|Damian Blackden (CSO)|Stuart Diamond (CFO)|Mark Patterson (COO)}}
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| num_employees = 41,000https://www.campaignasia.com/article/india-grows-media-spends-by-5-in-2022-comscore-report/485267
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| parent = WPP plc
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| subsid = {{Flatlist|
- Essence Global (defunct)
- Maxus (defunct)
- Mindshare
- Wavemaker
- MEC
- Mediacom (defunct)
- MetaVision Media (defunct)
- mSix & Partners
- T&P Group}}
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GroupM was a U.S. based media investment group of the multinational Holding company WPP plc. GroupM was the world's largest media buying agency, as of 2023.{{cite news |last1=Davey |first1=James |title=Retail media ad revenue forecast to surpass TV by 2028 |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/retail-media-ad-revenue-forecast-surpass-tv-by-2028-2023-06-12/ |publisher=Reuters |date=June 12, 2023 |access-date=2023-09-26 |archive-date=2023-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230624135042/https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/retail-media-ad-revenue-forecast-surpass-tv-by-2028-2023-06-12/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Joseph |first1=Seb |last2=Scanlon |first2=Krystal |date=November 14, 2022 |title=The world's biggest media buyer GroupM is telling advertisers that Twitter is a 'high risk' media buy |work=Digiday |url=https://digiday.com/marketing/never-been-critical-twitters-ad-boycott-is-starting-to-look-like-a-long-goodbye/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230501192911/https://digiday.com/marketing/never-been-critical-twitters-ad-boycott-is-starting-to-look-like-a-long-goodbye/ |archive-date=May 1, 2023}}
GroupM's headquarters were located at 3 World Trade Center, in Lower Manhattan, and the company had subsidiaries in Asia, Australia, North America, and the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region.
Businesses associated with GroupM included Essence Global, Mindshare, Wavemaker, as well as the defunct media agency Maxus, with EssenceMediacom being the world's largest media agency network.
As of May, 27th. 2025, GroupM were rebranded as WPP Media, defuncting its old name and starting a new AI media era.
History
WPP plc formed GroupM in 2003 to unite Mediaedge:CIA and Mindshare Worldwide.{{cite news |last1=Oster |first1=Erik |date=April 6, 2018 |title=Former GroupM CEO Irwin Gotlieb Steps Down as Global Chairman After 19 Years With WPP |work=Adweek |publisher=Shamrock Holdings |url=https://www.adweek.com/agencies/former-groupm-ceo-irwin-gotlieb-steps-down-as-global-chairman-after-19-years-with-wpp/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221105051908/https://www.adweek.com/agencies/former-groupm-ceo-irwin-gotlieb-steps-down-as-global-chairman-after-19-years-with-wpp/ |archive-date=November 5, 2022 |issn=0199-2864}}{{cite news |date=April 17, 2003 |title=WPP Creates Division to Unite Agencies |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/17/business/media/wpp-creates-division-to-unite-agencies.html |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926152201/https://www.nytimes.com/2003/04/17/business/media/wpp-creates-division-to-unite-agencies.html |archive-date=September 26, 2023}}
In 2015, GroupM began requiring all media partners to acquire anti-piracy certification from the Trustworthy Accountability Group.{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Lauren |title=GroupM Singles Out Piracy Websites as Marketers' Next Ad-Fraud Headache |work=Adweek |url=https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/groupm-singles-out-piracy-websites-marketers-next-ad-fraud-headache-167090/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-09-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230722141808/https://www.adweek.com/performance-marketing/groupm-singles-out-piracy-websites-marketers-next-ad-fraud-headache-167090/ |archive-date=2023-07-22}} In 2019, GroupM formed a coalition to help brands reach multicultural audiences.{{cite news |last1=Smiley |first1=Minda |title=GroupM Is Forming a Coalition to Help Brands Better Reach Multicultural Audiences |url=https://www.adweek.com/agencies/groupm-is-forming-a-coalition-to-help-brands-better-reach-multicultural-audiences/ |work=Adweek |date=September 19, 2019 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=February 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230206041725/https://www.adweek.com/agencies/groupm-is-forming-a-coalition-to-help-brands-better-reach-multicultural-audiences/ |url-status=live }} The company had a diverse media advertisement investment goal of five percent; an initial goal of two percent Black-owned media, set in 2021,{{cite news |last1=Lepitak |first1=Stephen |title=GroupM Continues Diversity Drive With Media Inclusion Initiative |url=https://www.adweek.com/agencies/groupm-continues-diversity-drive-with-media-inclusion-initiative/ |work=Adweek |date=May 11, 2021 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230119105113/https://www.adweek.com/agencies/groupm-continues-diversity-drive-with-media-inclusion-initiative/ |url-status=live }} was expanded in 2023 to include AAPI, Hispanic, and LGBT media.{{cite journal |last1=Steinberg |first1=Brian |date=March 9, 2023 |title=GroupM Offers Plan to Expand Investment in Diverse Media |url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/groupm-oplan-to-expand-investment-in-diverse-media-1235547564/ |url-status=live |journal=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |issn=0042-2738 |oclc=810134503 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328113629/https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/groupm-oplan-to-expand-investment-in-diverse-media-1235547564/ |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |access-date=September 26, 2023}}
Following the acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk in 2022, GroupM deemed Twitter a "high risk" platform.{{cite news |last1=Clark |first1=Mitchell |date=November 14, 2022 |title=Buying ads on Twitter is 'high-risk' according to the world's biggest ad agency |work=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/14/23459254/twitter-high-risk-ads-groupm-advertisers-content-moderation |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230726231246/https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/14/23459254/twitter-high-risk-ads-groupm-advertisers-content-moderation |archive-date=July 26, 2023}} GroupM removed the classification in 2023, when Linda Yaccarino was named Twitter's chief executive officer (CEO) and the two companies collaborated on a brand safety project.{{cite news |last1=Murphy |first1=Hannah |last2=Thomas |first2=Daniel |date=May 18, 2023 |title=Twitter no longer 'high risk' after new chief hired, says top ad group |work=Financial Times |url=https://www.ft.com/content/1412d474-bd47-40be-a0a8-7f349b10e997 |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230724073627/https://www.ft.com/content/1412d474-bd47-40be-a0a8-7f349b10e997 |archive-date=July 24, 2023 |issn=0307-1766}}
In 2022, GroupM debuted a carbon calculator to determine an advertisement's carbon output. The company also partnered with Good-Loop to launch an initiative to reduce the environmental impact of advertising spending. GroupM was the first agency holding group in Australia to offer carbon offsetting.{{cite news |last1=Ward |first1=Miranda |date=July 26, 2022 |title=GroupM to offset digital ads as part of Alpha plan |work=Australian Financial Review |publisher=Nine Entertainment |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/groupm-to-offset-digital-ads-as-part-of-alpha-plan-20220706-p5azkb |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201091055/https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/groupm-to-offset-digital-ads-as-part-of-alpha-plan-20220706-p5azkb |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |oclc=1131035760}}{{cite news |last1=Bürgi |first1=Michael |title=GroupM wants to lead the industry on decarbonization efforts — will other media agencies follow? |url=https://digiday.com/media/groupm-wants-to-lead-the-industry-on-decarbonization-efforts-will-other-media-agencies-follow/ |work=Digiday |date=July 20, 2022 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=March 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230322164353/https://digiday.com/media/groupm-wants-to-lead-the-industry-on-decarbonization-efforts-will-other-media-agencies-follow/ |url-status=live }} The company formed a decarbonization coalition with 20 clients in 2022,{{cite news |last1=Morley |first1=Olivia |last2=Lundstrom |first2=Kathryn |title=GroupM Pulls 20 Clients Onboard Its Media Decarbonization Coalition |url=https://www.adweek.com/agencies/groupm-20-clients-media-decarbonization-coalition/ |work=Adweek |date=November 10, 2022 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=February 2, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230202144715/https://www.adweek.com/agencies/groupm-20-clients-media-decarbonization-coalition/ |url-status=live }} and improved the calculator's accuracy in 2023.Calculator improvements:
- {{cite news |last1=Stam |first1=Aleda |title=GroupM Updates its Carbon Calculator to Help Measure Ad Campaign Emissions |url=https://adage.com/article/agency-news/groupm-updates-carbon-calculator-ad-campaign-emissions-tracking/2473886 |work=Ad Age |date=February 16, 2023 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=March 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230327110052/https://adage.com/article/agency-news/groupm-updates-carbon-calculator-ad-campaign-emissions-tracking/2473886 |url-status=live }}
- {{cite news |last1=Lundstrom |first1=Kathryn |title=GroupM and SeenThis Team Up to Cut Carbon From Video Ads |url=https://www.adweek.com/media/groupm-and-seenthis-team-up-to-cut-carbon-from-video-ads/ |work=Adweek |date=August 24, 2023 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=September 20, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230920070327/https://www.adweek.com/media/groupm-and-seenthis-team-up-to-cut-carbon-from-video-ads/ |url-status=live }}
In 2023, GroupM removed made-for-advertising sites (MFAs) from its programmatic businesses.{{cite news |last1=Barber |first1=Kayleigh |last2=Bürgi |first2=Michael |last3=Shields |first3=Ronan |title=GroupM is removing MFAs from its inclusion lists |url=https://digiday.com/media-buying/groupm-is-removing-mfas-from-its-inclusion-lists/ |work=Digiday |date=August 21, 2023 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=August 21, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230821115844/https://digiday.com/media-buying/groupm-is-removing-mfas-from-its-inclusion-lists/ |url-status=live }} The move "[set] a precedent" for the advertising industry, according to Digiday, and was an expansion of work by the company's team in the U.K., which maintained a list of approximately 6,000 domain names that were not MFAs.{{cite news |last1=Barber |first1=Kayleigh |date=July 24, 2023 |title=How GroupM's inclusion list decides which publishers it sells programmatically |work=Digiday |url=https://digiday.com/media-buying/the-rundown-how-groupms-inclusion-list-decides-which-publishers-it-sells-programmatically/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230802151210/https://digiday.com/media-buying/the-rundown-how-groupms-inclusion-list-decides-which-publishers-it-sells-programmatically/ |archive-date=August 2, 2023}} GroupM also launched an initiative to help brands invest in quality journalism.{{cite news |last1=Weissbrot |first1=Alison |title=GroupM launches tool to help brands invest in quality journalism |url=https://www.prweek.com/article/1814993/groupm-launches-tool-help-brands-invest-quality-journalism |work=PRWeek |access-date=2023-09-26 |archive-date=2023-03-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230316022403/https://www.prweek.com/article/1814993/groupm-launches-tool-help-brands-invest-quality-journalism |url-status=live }}
Operations and organizational structure
GroupM's 15-floor, 700,000-square-foot headquarters were located at 3 World Trade Center, in Lower Manhattan. Prior to consolidation, GroupM had offices at multiple locations in Midtown, for various brands.{{cite news |last1=Baird-Remba |first1=Rebecca |title=How GroupM Created an Office in World Trade Center for Nine Different Companies |url=https://commercialobserver.com/2019/01/how-groupm-created-an-office-in-world-trade-center-for-nine-different-companies/ |work=Commercial Observer |date=January 29, 2019 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=March 28, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230328153903/https://commercialobserver.com/2019/01/how-groupm-created-an-office-in-world-trade-center-for-nine-different-companies/ |url-status=live }}
Irwin Gotlieb was CEO from GroupM's founding until 2012,{{cite news |last1=Sanders |first1=Lisa |date=February 28, 2005 |title=GroupM's Gotlieb Again Rebuilding Media Model |work=Ad Age |publisher=Crain Communications |url=https://adage.com/article/special-report-media-agency-of-the-year/groupm-s-gotlieb-rebuilding-media-model/102244}} when he became global chairperson until 2018.Irwin Gotlieb:
- {{cite news |last1=Graham |first1=Megan |title=GroupM's Irwin Gotlieb Retires as Global Chairman, Becomes Advisor to WPP |url=https://adage.com/article/agency-news/groupm-s-irwin-gotlieb-stepping-global-chairman-remains-advisor/313017 |work=Ad Age |date=April 6, 2018 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=December 5, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205215042/https://adage.com/article/agency-news/groupm-s-irwin-gotlieb-stepping-global-chairman-remains-advisor/313017 |url-status=live }}
- {{cite news |last1=Chamikutty |first1=Preethi |title=The man who saw tomorrow: Irwin Gotlieb, GroupM |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/the-man-who-saw-tomorrow-irwin-gotlieb-groupm/articleshow/6079799.cms?from=mdr |work=The Economic Times |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926152206/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/the-man-who-saw-tomorrow-irwin-gotlieb-groupm/articleshow/6079799.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }} Subsequent CEOs included Dominic Proctor, Kelly Clark and Christian Juhl.{{Cite news |last=Bruell |first=Alexandra |date=2016-09-22 |title=GroupM Brings Back Kelly Clark as Global CEO |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=http://www.wsj.com/articles/groupm-brings-back-kelly-clark-as-global-ceo-1474559176 |access-date= |issn=0099-9660 |archive-date=2022-01-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220124011657/https://www.wsj.com/articles/groupm-brings-back-kelly-clark-as-global-ceo-1474559176 |url-status=live }} Brian Lesser was appointed global CEO in 2024.{{cite news |last1=Herren |first1=AParker |title= GroupM’s new global CEO—everything to know about Brian Lesser |url= https://adage.com/article/agency-news/who-groupms-new-global-ceo-brian-lesser/2570336/ |work=Adgage |date=July 18, 2024 |access-date=July 18, 2024 }}
=Subsidiaries=
GroupM had subsidiaries in Asia,{{efn|In Asia, GroupM has subsidiaries for India, Indonesia, Pakistan, South Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.Subsidiaries in Asia:
- {{cite news |title=Ateeq-ur-Rehman takes charge as GroupM Pakistan's CEO |url=https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1099615-ateeq-ur-rehman-takes-charge-as-groupm-pakistans-ceo |work=The News International |date=August 12, 2023 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=August 31, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230831183849/https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1099615-ateeq-ur-rehman-takes-charge-as-groupm-pakistans-ceo |url-status=live }}
- {{cite news |title=GroupM appoints Sameer Singh as South Asia CEO |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/advertising/groupm-appoints-sameer-singh-as-south-asia-ceo/articleshow/64014694.cms?from=mdr |work=The Economic Times |date=May 3, 2018 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926152614/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/services/advertising/groupm-appoints-sameer-singh-as-south-asia-ceo/articleshow/64014694.cms?from=mdr |url-status=live }}
- {{Cite news|url=https://www.sundaytimes.lk/221106/business-times/namalie-herath-new-managing-partner-for-groupm-sri-lanka-500515.html|work=The Sunday Times|title=Namalie Herath, new Managing Partner for GroupM Sri Lanka|access-date=2023-09-26|archive-date=2023-09-26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926152540/https://www.sundaytimes.lk/221106/business-times/namalie-herath-new-managing-partner-for-groupm-sri-lanka-500515.html|url-status=live}}
- {{cite news |title=GroupM Thailand settles on new chief executive |url=https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2301058/groupm-thailand-settles-on-new-chief-executive |work=Bangkok Post |date=April 27, 2022 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926152608/https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/2301058/groupm-thailand-settles-on-new-chief-executive |url-status=live }}}} Australia and New Zealand, the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region,{{cite journal |last1=Lepitak |first1=Stephen |title=GroupM's EMEA CEO Demet İkiler Joins Publicis Groupe |journal=Adweek |date=January 23, 2023 |url=https://www.adweek.com/agencies/groupms-emea-ceo-demet-ikiler-joined-publicis-groupe/ |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=March 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230301110705/https://www.adweek.com/agencies/groupms-emea-ceo-demet-ikiler-joined-publicis-groupe/ |url-status=live }} North America,{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Rebecca |date=August 11, 2023 |title=GroupM Canada CEO on making advertising better, for everyone |work=National Post |publisher=Postmedia Network |url=https://nationalpost.com/news/groupm-canada-ceo-on-making-advertising-better-for-everyone |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230926152527/https://nationalpost.com/news/groupm-canada-ceo-on-making-advertising-better-for-everyone |archive-date=September 26, 2023 |issn=1486-8008}} and the U.K.{{cite news |last1=Lepitak |first1=Stephen |title=GroupM's Karen Blackett Promoted to President of WPP UK |url=https://www.adweek.com/agencies/groupms-karen-blackett-promoted-to-president-of-wpp-uk/ |work=Adweek |date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=September 26, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220926132412/https://www.adweek.com/agencies/groupms-karen-blackett-promoted-to-president-of-wpp-uk/ |url-status=live }} In 2017, GroupM acquired a majority stake in MediaCom India, a joint venture established in 2007 by GroupM India and the Madison Media group's principal shareholder Sam Balsara.{{cite news |last1=Tewari |first1=Saumya |title=GroupM acquires majority stake in MediaCom India |url=https://www.livemint.com/Companies/AI2AAJLbkmKUfhQofs9TYN/GroupM-acquires-majority-stake-in-MediaCom-India.html |work=Mint |date=January 25, 2017 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210126033901/https://www.livemint.com/Companies/AI2AAJLbkmKUfhQofs9TYN/GroupM-acquires-majority-stake-in-MediaCom-India.html |url-status=live }} GroupM North America had approximately 6,000 employees and $17.6 billion in media investment billings in the U.S. and Canada, as of 2020–2022.{{cite news |last1=Steinberg |first1=Brian |title=Kirk McDonald Will Become North American CEO of GroupM |url=https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/kirk-mcdonald-groupm-advertising-media-xandr-1234738840/ |work=Variety |date=August 18, 2020 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=May 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518102430/https://variety.com/2020/tv/news/kirk-mcdonald-groupm-advertising-media-xandr-1234738840/ |url-status=live }}{{cite journal |last1=Major |first1=Derek |title=GroupM North America CEO Kirk McDonald to Be Honored at Black Enterprise's Black Men XCEL Summit |journal=Black Enterprise |date=October 7, 2022 |url=https://www.blackenterprise.com/groupm-north-america-ceo-kirk-mcdonald-to-be-honored-at-black-enterprise-black-men-xcel-summit/ |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127102826/https://www.blackenterprise.com/groupm-north-america-ceo-kirk-mcdonald-to-be-honored-at-black-enterprise-black-men-xcel-summit/ |url-status=live }}
GroupM restructured management in 2016, in an attempt to consolidate media investment and platform services.{{cite news |last1=Stein |first1=Lindsay |last2=Poggi |first2=Jeanine |title=GroupM Buying Chief, TV Ad Vet Rino Scanzoni, Takes New Role in Restructuring |url=https://adage.com/article/agency-news/groupm-s-rino-scanzoni-steps-back-buying-role-amid-reorganization/306734 |work=Ad Age |date=November 14, 2016 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=March 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308081722/http://adage.com/article/agency-news/groupm-s-rino-scanzoni-steps-back-buying-role-amid-reorganization/306734/ |url-status=live }} In 2017, a reorganization eliminated the agency Maxus, transferring operations to Essence and MEC (now known as Wavemaker).{{cite news |last1=Bruell |first1=Alexandra |title=Media Agency Veteran Rob Norman to Retire From WPP |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/media-agency-veteran-rob-norman-to-retire-from-wpp-1511135877 |work=The Wall Street Journal |date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=June 6, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230606211722/https://www.wsj.com/articles/media-agency-veteran-rob-norman-to-retire-from-wpp-1511135877 |url-status=live }} GroupM continued with five media agencies,{{cite news |last1=Rittenhouse |first1=Lindsay |date=January 8, 2018 |title=WPP's GroupM Shifts U.K. CEO to New Position as Global Chief Investment Officer |work=Adweek |url=https://www.adweek.com/agencies/wpps-groupm-shifts-u-k-ceo-to-new-position-as-global-chief-investment-officer/ |url-status=live |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201130212129/https://www.adweek.com/agencies/wpps-groupm-shifts-u-k-ceo-to-new-position-as-global-chief-investment-officer/ |archive-date=November 30, 2020 |quote=MEC was formerly a media agency network owned by GroupM. In June, WPP combined its MEC and Maxus networks to create a single media, content and tech agency, Wavemaker, operating as one of five media agencies under GroupM.}} until 2022, when the company merged some of them to streamline operations.{{cite news |last1=Morley |first1=Olivia |title=Inside Recent Changes at WPP's GroupM: What the EssenceMediacom Merger Means |url=https://www.adweek.com/agencies/inside-recent-changes-at-wpps-groupm-what-the-essencemediacom-merger-means/ |work=Adweek |date=May 3, 2022 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=April 7, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407160240/https://www.adweek.com/agencies/inside-recent-changes-at-wpps-groupm-what-the-essencemediacom-merger-means/ |url-status=live }} Essence and Mediacom merged to form EssenceMediacom, and Mindshare absorbed Neo.{{cite news |last1=Steinberg |first1=Brian |title=WPP's GroupM Merges Media Agencies in Bid to Streamline |url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/groupm-wpp_streamline-media-agencies-1235241065/ |work=Variety |date=April 26, 2022 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=March 23, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230323154348/https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/groupm-wpp_streamline-media-agencies-1235241065/ |url-status=live }} EssenceMediacom was GroupM's largest agency and the world's largest media agency network,{{Cite journal |last=Bonilla |first=Brian |date=January 31, 2023 |title=EssenceMediacom Launches as the World's Largest Media Agency Network |url=https://adage.com/article/agency-news/essencemediacom-launches-worlds-largest-media-agency-network/2466611 |journal=Ad Age}} with approximately 10,000 employees in 120 offices. The business managed advertisement billings of approximately $21 billion annually.{{cite news |last1=Farooqui |first1=Javed |title=GroupM's top agency sees big potential in Indian market |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/groupms-top-agency-sees-big-potential-in-indian-market/articleshow/100903999.cms |work=The Economic Times |date=June 10, 2023 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=July 12, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230712140929/https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/groupms-top-agency-sees-big-potential-in-indian-market/articleshow/100903999.cms |url-status=live }}
GroupM Entertainment was established in 2009 and later became Motion Content Group. It expanded into the U.S.,{{cite news |last1=Hayes |first1=Dade |title=WPP-Owned Motion Content Group Rebrands As GroupM Motion Entertainment In North America, Shifting Toward Premium Content |url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/wpp-motion-content-group-rebrands-groupm-motion-entertainment-1235266577/ |work=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 22, 2023 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=April 1, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401152423/https://deadline.com/2023/02/wpp-motion-content-group-rebrands-groupm-motion-entertainment-1235266577/ |url-status=live }} and was rebranded as GroupM Motion Entertainment in North America in 2023. The business partnered with Warner Bros. Discovery to support GroupM's Diverse Voices Accelerator.{{cite news |last1=Bradley |first1=Bill |title=Warner Bros. Discovery and GroupM Partner to Amplify Diverse Voices |url=https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/warner-bros-discovery-groupm-partner-diverse-voices-accelerator/ |work=Adweek |date=March 6, 2023 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=April 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404022036/https://www.adweek.com/convergent-tv/warner-bros-discovery-groupm-partner-diverse-voices-accelerator/ |url-status=live }}
WPP had merged 24/7 Media into Xaxis in 2013.{{cite news |last1=Bruell |first1=Alexandra |title=WPP Merges Xaxis with 24/7 Media in Bid for Scale in Programmatic Ads |url=https://adage.com/article/agency-news/wpp-s-latest-scale-play-xaxis-merges-24-7-media/245493 |work=Ad Age |date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=September 26, 2023 |archive-date=February 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230210072117/https://adage.com/article/agency-news/wpp-s-latest-scale-play-xaxis-merges-24-7-media/245493 |url-status=live }} In 2023, WPP acquired the London-based agency Goat, which was merged with GroupM's influence unit Inca to operate under GroupM Nexus.{{cite news |last1=Lepitak |first1=Stephen |title=WPP Scales Influencer Marketing Offer With the Acquisition of The Goat Agency |url=https://www.adweek.com/agencies/wpp-scales-influencer-marketing-offer-with-the-acquisition-of-goat/ |work=Adweek |date=March 22, 2023 |quote=The acquisition will see Goat join GroupM and merge with its current influencer marketing offer INCA...}}
Notes
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References
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External links
- {{Official website|https://www.groupm.com}}
- [https://www.wpp.com/en/companies/groupm GroupM] at WPP plc
{{WPP}}