WPP's management could be under even more pressure if the company loses Mars, a key account, Barclays's Julien Roch says in a research note. The U.K. advertising group forecast little improvement for 2025 after a tough 2024 and this caused confusion back in February, the analyst says. However, WPP has since then lost an important mandate with Coca-Cola's U.S. media account going to Publicis and the more important Mars account--with $1.8 billion in billings--is up for review, the analyst says. A potential Mars loss would represent a drag of 80 basis points on growth in revenue less pass-through costs, against an estimated 30 basis points for the Coke account, according to Barclays's estimates. Shares are up 2.9% at 546.80 pence.(adria.calatayud@wsj.com)
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
April 14, 2025 08:20 ET (12:20 GMT)
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