WPP Reports Brighter Outlook for DIM

WPP has reported third quarter revenue growth of 3.2% in its 'Data Investment Management' (DIM) businesses, to £617m, and growth of 2.6% to £1.8 billion for the first nine months of the year.

Describing the DIM results as a 'significant improvement', WPP noted: 'Even more significantly, gross margin was up 4.2%, a reversal of the trend seen during 2012. There seems to be a growing recognition of the value of 'real' data businesses, rather than those that depend on third party data.'

WPP came up with the new name for its Consumer Insight division in August. DIM includes a broad range of agencies such as TNS, Millward Brown, Kantar, GMI, All Global, The Futures Company and Added Value. By region, WPP said North America, Asia Pacific and Africa and the Middle East grew 'well above the average' in Q3, with the United Kingdom, Western Continental Europe and Latin America proving to be 'more challenging'.

For the marcoms group as a whole, third quarter revenues were up 7.4% to £2.68 billion, and nine month reported revenues rose 7.2% to £8.00 billion. Since the start of 2013 the group has completed 45 transactions, fourteen of which were on behalf of its Data Investment Management arm, including acquisitions focusing on data analytics and the application of technology.

CEO Sir Martin Sorrell (pictured) said the company had outperformed its rivals due to 'geographically superior positions in new markets', as well as its position in new media and data investment management / analytics.

Web site: www.wpp.com .