WPP retires GroupM name and launches WPP Media to usher in new AI-driven era

WPP has rebranded its global media business, GroupM, as WPP Media, a move that reflects the company’s strategy to simplify its offering and lead the next era of marketing with AI-powered integration.

The newly named WPP Media strengthens WPP’s position as a leader in intelligent marketing services, addressing growing demand from marketers for unified, fully integrated capabilities. Managing over $60 billion in annual media investment, WPP Media works with more than 75% of the world’s top advertisers across 80+ markets.

Mindshare, Wavemaker, and EssenceMediacom will continue to operate as dedicated brands within WPP Media, supported by shared capabilities, technology and infrastructure.

WPP Media is seamlessly connected with WPP’s wider global agency networks and capabilities through WPP Open – WPP’s AI-enabled marketing system – creating the industry’s most advanced platform for scaled and integrated creative, production, data, commerce and personalized media delivery services. WPP Open is backed by £300m of investment each year and partnerships with the leading AI companies.

WPP Media’s fully integrated offering enables clients to unify media, data and production and holistically manage their owned, earned, shared and paid activities to deliver personalization at scale. The company’s services are further enhanced with best-in-class connected commerce and state-of-the-art measurement and analytics capabilities.

WPP Media is underpinned by a commitment to accelerate investments in learning and development initiatives that will provide career pathways to the jobs of the future, ensuring employees are empowered to lead the marketing and media transformation in the AI era.

Brian Lesser, CEO of WPP Media, said: “Consumers already expect advertising to be relevant and engaging and buying experiences to be seamless; those expectations are only going to accelerate in the age of AI. WPP Media is built for a world in which media is everywhere and in everything. By investing in our AI-powered product, integrating our offer with data and technology, and equipping our people with future-facing skills, we’re helping our clients to stay ahead of rapidly changing consumer behavior and unlock the limitless opportunities for growth that AI will create.”

Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: “We believe that WPP is the strongest marketing partner for the world’s leading brands in the AI era, where technology and talent converge. The move to WPP Media continues our strategy to simplify and integrate our offer for clients. While GroupM was built for a time when media scale mattered most, WPP Media reflects the power of AI, data and technology and simpler, more integrated solutions.

“Our vision for the future is clear – marketing that is informed by data, led by seamlessly connected teams of brilliant people, and full of new opportunities for our clients.”

Today’s announcement comes as WPP launches a new cross-channel B2B campaign targeting business leaders and senior marketing decision-makers. The campaign showcases WPP’s AI credentials, its integrated proposition, and the advanced capabilities of WPP Open. For more, visit wpp.com/ai.

(Pictured above: WPP AI OOH ad at Heathrow Airport)

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