Acquisition

WPP Group PLC
23 February 2001



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                          23 February 2001


                            WPP GROUP PLC ('WPP')

           Ogilvy & Mather Worldwide acquires promotions company,
                          Maxx Marketing, in Asia


WPP announces that its wholly-owned operating company Ogilvy & Mather Asia
Pacific, the advertising agency, has acquired 51% of the issued capital of
Maxx Marketing Limited ('Maxx'), a promotions marketing company in Asia
Pacific.


Founded in 1997 and with offices in Hong Kong, Seoul, Manila, Shanghai,
Bangkok and Los Angeles, Maxx creates and fulfils tailor-made promotional
campaigns for clients.  Clients include Tricon Worldwide (including KFC, Pizza
Hut and Taco Bell), Colgate Palmolive, Bristol Myers and Nissho Sangyo Group
in Tokyo for whom it works with The Japan Baseball League.


The agency, which employs 35 people, had revenues of HK$ 31 million and net
assets of HK$ 15.7 million for the 15 month period ended 31 December 1999.


The acquisition of Maxx further strengthens Ogilvy & Mather's comprehensive
range of communications services to clients and continues WPP's strategy of
expanding its networks in fast-growing sectors and markets.


Contact:

Feona McEwan, WPP London           44-20 7408 2204

www.wpp.com
www.ogilvy.com