Acquisition

WPP Group PLC
7 August 2001


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                             7 AUGUST 2001


                            WPP GROUP PLC ('WPP')

  Acquires Forward, the UK's top independent customer communications agency

WPP announces that it has acquired 100% of the issued share capital of Forward
Limited ('Forward'), the leading UK contract publishing company which
specialises in direct customer communications programmes.

Founded in 1986 in London by William Sieghart and Neil Mendoza, and employing
108 people, Forward has established a high reputation for the editorial
calibre of its contract publications.

Commenting on the move, managing director, Sarah Wyse said, 'When Neil and
William set up Forward it was with the idea that publishing could and should
be a powerful means of communicating with a company's target audiences.   WPP
presents unlimited opportunity for our business.'

Forward's clients include Tesco, NCR, Egg, Patek Philippe, British Airways
Holidays and Halifax.

Forward reported revenues of £23.2 million in the year to 31 March 2001 and
had net assets of £2.1 million at that date.

The acquisition of Forward, which will operate independently within the
Specialist Communications division of the Group, continues WPP's strategy of
expanding its comprehensive offer to clients in important growth sectors and
markets.

For more information:

Feona McEwan at WPP:      44-20 7408 2204
www.wpp.com
www.forwardpublishing.com