WPP Group records, 1986-2015 and undated
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Summary
- Creator:
- WPP Group plc and John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History
- Abstract:
- Founded in 1971 as a manufacturer of shopping baskets; converted into a holdling company in 1985 and grew to become one of the largest advertising and communications conglomerates in the world.
- Extent:
- 3.0 Linear Feet
- Language:
- Materials in English
- Collection ID:
- RL.11178
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Spans 1986-2015 and includes annual reports, financial statements, correspondence, artifacts, newsletters and other publications and printed materials. Includes materials pertaining to the acquisition of the Ogilvy Group (formerly Ogilvy & Mather); statements relating to the J. Walter Thompson Company (JWT); articles and correspondence relating to Martin Sorrell. Materials in this collection were largely culled from various collections in the JWT Archives. Acquired as part of the John W. Hartman Center for Sales, Advertising & Marketing History.
- Biographical / historical:
-
WPP plc (Wire and Plastic Products) founded 1971 as a manufacturer of wire shopping baskets and carts. Martin Sorrell acquired a controlling interest in 1985 and renamed it WPP Group. Sorrell became CEO. Major acquisitions of advertising agencies: J. Walter Thompson 1987; Ogilvy Group 1989; Young & Rubicam 2000; Grey Group 2005.
- Acquisition information:
- The WPP Group records were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 1998-2015.
- Processing information:
-
Processed by Richard Collier, March 2016.
Accessions described in this collection guide: 1998-0321, 0998-0322, 1999-0383, 2015-0001
- Arrangement:
-
Organized alphabetically.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
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Contents
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- Restrictions:
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Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.
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- Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], WPP Group records, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
- Permalink:
- https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m18j08