WPP, the world’s second largest advertising group, is close to agreeing a deal to consolidate five of its agencies into a major new Northern base at the former home of Granada Studios.
The £15.3bn business, which employs more than 200,000 staff in 400 separate businesses across 3,000 offices globally, is encouraging greater collaboration across its sprawling agencies by merging offices into larger hubs, and has already colocated brands into new premises in cities including New York and Toronto.
The change of strategy follows a period of turbulence for the company following the abrupt departure of its founder, Martin Sorrell, in April this year.
Prolific North understands that the new Manchester base would bring Mediacom, Code Computerlove, JWT, Wavemaker and one other – possibly Kantar – under one roof.
As we revealed back in June, WPP has been searching for a space in the region of 70,000 sq ft to house its Manchester workforce, which totals around 450 people.
And we understand it has identified Allied London’s Old Granada Studios as its new home in the city.
Back in May, plans to revamp the iconic former Granada Television headquarters were given the go-ahead by Manchester City Council.
Another of WPP’s brands in Manchester, The Farm Group, is opening a new 25,000 sq ft facility at Allied London’s ABC Buildings, part of the £1.35bn Enterprise City masterplan for St. John’s in Manchester of which Old Granada Studios is also a part.
