Mark Cranmer Joins Kantar As CEO Of Research International.

LONDON -- Embargoed until 5pm 21 February 2006

Mark Cranmer, the outgoing CEO of Starcom MediaVest EMEA, is taking on the role of Worldwide CEO of Research International. He is replacing Roger Banks who is in discussions about another role within Kantar.

Research International is one of the top research companies in the world, recognised for its global reach and expertise in areas such as innovation, market strategy and brand experience. The business operates in over 50 countries, has 2500+ employees and works with blue chip clients around the world. Mark will begin his new role on 1st May and will report to Eric Salama, CEO of Kantar, WPP's insight, information and consultancy unit.

Mark's appointment, coming just months after the acquisition of a majority share of Research International's Chinese business (the largest ad hoc research company in China) and the acquisition of Pentor (one of the leading research companies in Poland) is evidence of the ambition which Kantar and WPP have for Research International. According to Salama, it is designed to accelerate RI's ability to generate consistently brilliant and practical insights and to be a faster, more proactive partner for its clients.

Mark has spent his career in a variety of advertising and media agencies. He created Motive for BBH, then created a coherent network for Publicis out of the deals involving BBH, Leo Burnett and D'Arcy. This represents the first change in employer for Mark for 13 years.

Eric Salama said:

"I'm thrilled that Mark is joining. He's entrepreneurial, understands what clients need and is committed to developing solutions proactively for them, is passionate about developing talent within his businesses and intolerant of average work".

Mark Cranmer said:

"I am really excited by the change in direction that Research International gives me. It's a strong global business, rich with unique capability and talent. I have spent the last year assessing the opportunities ahead of me and I'm convinced that RI's area of intelligent solutions through unique learning and insight provision is the space I want to be in. I am looking forward to adding new impetus and value to the team".

Editor's notes :

Research International is the world leader in custom market research. We partner with clients the world over, giving them the knowledge to make decisions about businesses and brands, understand people and anticipate and shape their future.

Kantar is one of the world's largest research, insight and consultancy networks. We help clients make better business decisions through a deeper understanding of their markets, their brands and their customers. Part of WPP, Kantar brings together a diverse group of outstanding marketing insight and consulting companies - each an expert in their field who can work together seamlessly to help clients address business issues in a holistic and strategic way.

Companies include: Added Value Group, AMRB, BMRB, BPRI, Cannondale Associates, Center Partners, Everystone, Fusion 5, Glendinning Management Consultants, Henley Centre Headlight Vision, IMRB, KMR Group, Lightspeed Research, Management Ventures, Mattson Jack Group, Millward Brown, Research International, RMS, The Operations Centre and Ziment Group. The group operates in 160 offices across 60 markets worldwide.

For further information please visit us at: www.kantargroup.com

WPP (NASDAQ: WPPGY) is one of the world's leading communications services groups, providing national, multinational and global clients with advertising; media investment management; information, insight & consultancy; public relations & public affairs; branding & identity, healthcare and specialist communications. WPP's worldwide companies include JWT, Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, Y&R, Grey Worldwide, The Voluntarily United Group of Creative Agencies, MindShare, Mediaedge:cia, MediaCom, Millward Brown, Research International, KMR Group, OgilvyOne Worldwide, Wunderman, 141 Worldwide, Grey Direct, Hill & Knowlton, Ogilvy Public Relations Worldwide, Burson-Marsteller, Cohn & Wolfe, GCI, CommonHealth, Sudler & Hennessey, Ogilvy Healthworld, Grey Healthcare Group, Enterprise IG, Landor, G2 Worldwide and Fitch among others.

Our companies provide communications services to clients worldwide including more than 300 of the Fortune Global 500; over one-half of the NASDAQ 100 and over 30 of the Fortune e-50. Our companies work with over 330 clients in three or more disciplines; more than 230 clients in four disciplines and nearly 200 clients in six or more countries.

Collectively, WPP employs 91,000 people in over 2,000 offices in 106 countries.