China fuels WPP growth

National - British advertising giant WPP has seen a 2% jump in revenue to £2.921 billion (HK$233 billion) for the first half of 2007, fulled in part by strong growth from China and emerging digital markets.

Mainland China and India continued the rapid growth seen in 2006 and the first quarter of 2007, with first half revenues up almost 29% and 22% respectively.

The United Kingdom remained the slowest growing market for WPP, with revenues up just 3.7% for the six months to June 2007.

WPP, which owns advertising agencies Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide, MindShare and JWT  said China was an "icon for Asia Pacific" with other Asian markets including India, Indonesia, Pakistan and Vietnam becoming more and more important to the group.

China will be of increasing importance to global advertising groups in the lead up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics Games.

In the first half of 2007, WPP continued its acquisition strategy, taking 100% of 24/7 Real Media.

Media buying continues to show the strongest growth of all sectors, along with direct, internet and interactive, which now account for approximately 23% of the group's total revenues.