Ford deals WPP another blow opening portions of ad business up for bids
Ford has added to WPP’s woes announcing it will take bids on some of its accounts managed by the holding company.
Ford has put portions of its ad business up for review / Creative Commons image
According to Reuters, the decision will not affect all of the motor company’s accounts with WPP, and WPP is still welcome to bid for the business along with other agencies.
The news follows the departure of WPP chief executive officer of over 30 years, Sir Martin Sorrell, last weekend who quit over a personal misconduct allegation which he denies.
The announcement comes as part of a strategy review from Ford that has been underway since November, when it warned WPP it was considering its future ad model.
In a statement, Ford revealed: “We are going to place some portions of our advertising business up for bid with other agencies, including WPP, beginning in the coming weeks. No decisions have been made.”
At present, WPP has declined to comment but a memo was sent to agency staff on Friday outlining Ford’s decision. “WPP will have an opportunity to compete with other firms to retain these portions of the business, and will remain Ford’s agency of record in some other key areas,” the memo said.
The review does not include accounts held by WPP in China, public affairs, US dealerships or at WPP’s Hudson Rouge agency that handles Ford’s luxury Lincoln brand.
Ford has maintained WPP is a trusted partner and that it has offered WPP more details about its future marketing aspirations.
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Ford
The Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. It was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated...
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WPP
WPP plc is a British multinational communications, advertising, public relations, technology, and commerce holding company headquartered in London, England. It was...
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