WPP to strengthen operations in China

London-based marketing giant has agreed to buy a controlling stake in a digital agency in China.

WPP Group plc, which has advertising, public relations and branding businesses, has announced the agreement with Evision, which names Nike, Diageo, Mentos, Wyeth and Bao Steel among its clients.

The financial terms of the deal, which was completed through its Bates 141 subsidiary, have not been disclosed. Closure is conditional on winning regulatory approval.

The agreement is part of WPP’s strategy to develop its network in fast growing markets and sectors. Once completed this deal will strengthen its capabilities in digital media and complements its existing operations in Greater China, where it currently employs some 9,000 people.

This is the fourth acquisition the group has announced this month, following deals involving HDT Holdings Technologies, Realtime Worlds and AxiCom.

WPP’s network also includes communications and promotion services. The group is worth £7.8 billion and has 100,000 employees in its 2,000 offices across 106 countries.

Evision specialises in interactive design, mobile marketing and CRM. The company is based in Shanghai and has been trading since 2003.

Marc Barber

Marc Barber

Marc was editor of GrowthBusiness from 2006 to 2010. He specialised in writing about entrepreneurs, private equity and venture capital, mid-market M&A, small caps and high-growth businesses.

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