WPP unveils AI-Powered WPP Media, replacing GroupM in major strategic shift

Global marketing giant WPP today unveiled its new AI-powered media company, WPP Media, marking a major milestone in the group’s transformation into a fully integrated, intelligent marketing services leader.

Replacing GroupM, WPP Media becomes the new name of WPP’s global media arm, aligning with the increasing demand from advertisers for end-to-end capabilities. The new entity will manage more than $60 billion in annual media investments, serving over 75% of the world’s leading advertisers across more than 80 markets.

WPP Media will continue to operate well-known agency brands such as Mindshare, Wavemaker, and EssenceMediacom, each maintaining dedicated client teams while benefiting from shared technology, infrastructure, and expertise. This integrated approach is powered by WPP Open, the company’s proprietary AI-enabled marketing platform that unites creative, production, data, commerce, and personalized media delivery.

Brian Lesser, CEO of WPP Media, said: “Consumers already expect advertising to be relevant and engaging and buying experiences to be seamless; those expectations are only going to accelerate in the age of AI. WPP Media is built for a world in which media is everywhere and in everything. By investing in our AI-powered product, integrating our offer with data and technology, and equipping our people with future-facing skills, we’re helping our clients to stay ahead of rapidly changing consumer behavior and unlock the limitless opportunities for growth that AI will create.”

Backed by an annual £300 million investment and supported by partnerships with top AI firms, WPP Open positions WPP Media as the most technologically advanced platform in the industry.

“Our new AI-driven model is about more than media — it's about enabling personalization at scale,” a WPP spokesperson stated. “By unifying media, data, and production, we are helping clients holistically manage their owned, earned, shared, and paid media.”

In addition to cutting-edge media capabilities, WPP Media boasts industry-leading tools in connected commerce, measurement, and analytics. The company also emphasized its ongoing investment in learning and development, pledging to equip employees with the skills needed for success in the evolving AI-driven marketing landscape.

Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: “We believe that WPP is the strongest marketing partner for the world’s leading brands in the AI era, where technology and talent converge. The move to WPP Media continues our strategy to simplify and integrate our offer for clients. While GroupM was built for a time when media scale mattered most, WPP Media reflects the power of AI, data and technology and simpler, more integrated solutions. “Our vision for the future is clear – marketing that is informed by data, led by seamlessly connected teams of brilliant people, and full of new opportunities for our clients.”

The announcement comes as WPP launches a new cross-channel B2B campaign targeting business leaders and senior marketing decision-makers. The campaign showcases WPP’s AI credentials, its integrated proposition, and the advanced capabilities of WPP Open.