IBM extends partnership with WPP

IBM is extending its partnership with WPP. This new strategic partnership includes a seven year, US$1.25 billion services contract for IBM to transform and manage WPP's global technology platform.With this agreement, IBM will provide a service delivery and technology platform to enable WPP to innovate new digital services that will be run and managed with a global hybrid cloud infrastructure. This infrastructure will allow the expanded use of big data and analytics to drive decision-making and amplify the creative process. It will also aim to enhance WPP to more quickly deploy new products and services, and foster greater horizontal communication and collaboration across its multiple brands.Robin Dargue, WPP Group CIO, said: “As the world’s largest communications group, we are seeking to exploit IBM’s cloud computing expertise to allow us to innovate and add value to both the service and the product we deliver to clients across 111 countries."Erich Clementi, senior vice president, IBM global technology services, said: “This announcement is a significant milestone in the deployment of enterprise cloud and extends IBM’s position as the premier global cloud platform. Our secure, open enterprise cloud platform will enable WPP to quickly deliver new innovations to their customers.”