InfoSum

Publicis Buy of LiveRamp Accelerates Identity Consolidation

This opinion piece argues that Publicis Groupe’s $2.167 billion acquisition of LiveRamp dissolves a rare neutral identity intermediary in ad tech and is prompting major holding companies to build proprietary identity stacks. Omnicom and WPP have already moved away from LiveRamp, while other firms (TransUnion, Experian, Zeta, ID5) have assembled or acquired identity assets, producing a market of competing, proprietary graphs. The author warns that ownership of identity infrastructure concentrates training signals and algorithmic advantages, creating feedback loops that advantage owners and complicate addressability for independent agencies, mid-market brands and publishers.

WPP COO Devika Bulchandani: Confidence Stronger

In an interview at Cannes Lions, WPP COO Devika Bulchandani says the holding company is more confident in its client proposition despite ongoing headwinds. Under new leadership from chair Cindy Rose and a turnaround plan called Elevate28, WPP has seen creative success at Cannes (Ogilvy, VML and Burson London highlighted) and consecutive top rankings in JP Morgan’s new business tracker. Bulchandani points to WPP’s acquisition of Infosum and a self-described “data‑connectivity” approach as a differentiator against ID‑based competitors, and says clients are asking for rapid, global implementation. She acknowledges continuing media account losses (noting Coca‑Cola as an example) but stresses a client‑centric operational overhaul, end-to-end orchestration and optimism about the firm’s creative, data and AI capabilities amid broader industry disruption.

WPP Revenue Falls 8.9%; CEO Skips Q1 Call

WPP reported weaker Q1 revenue but said its Elevate28 three-year turnaround plan is making progress, with new business wins improving the outlook. Like‑for‑like net revenues fell 6.7% in Q1, yet the company cited J.P. Morgan data showing $0.8bn of net new business for the quarter — ahead of Publicis and Omnicom. CFO Joanne Wilson (who led the earnings call in CEO Cindy Rose’s absence) said the group expects the benefits of its transformation, including media operations rebuilt under WPP Media CEO Brian Lesser and a data proposition strengthened by the InfoSum acquisition, to show in the second half of 2026 as new-client revenues filter through. WPP highlighted recent integrated client wins such as Jaguar Land Rover and Wendy’s and signalled a move toward a platform-like centralised tech and media operating model while continuing to work with DSPs and SSPs where effective.