Facing mounting pressure after issuing two profit warnings within three months, global advertising major WPP has enlisted McKinsey & Company to advise on a major strategic revamp, according to a report by PRWeek.
The move follows the company’s announcement of a comprehensive strategy review under its new CEO, Cindy Rose, who officially took charge last month. Rose has indicated that the findings and roadmap of the review will be presented to investors in early 2026.
Led by WPP’s senior leadership, the review aims to redefine the company’s structure and sharpen its competitive edge in an evolving advertising landscape increasingly driven by technology and efficiency. McKinsey’s role will be to “facilitate and stress-test” the development of WPP’s new strategy framework.
According to Rose, the review focuses on four key priorities:
- Simplifying and integrating WPP’s client offerings while leveraging AI to drive business growth and measurable outcomes.
- Strengthening execution and fostering a high-performance culture across teams.
- Expanding addressable markets through enterprise-level and technology-driven solutions.
- Enhancing financial performance through operational efficiency and disciplined capital allocation.
This collaboration marks not the first time WPP has turned to McKinsey for strategic counsel- the two companies also worked together in 2020. Earlier this year, WPP Media appointed Emily Del Greco, a former McKinsey partner, as Global Chief Operating Officer, underscoring the deepening ties between the advertising conglomerate and the consulting powerhouse.
