Acquisition

WPP Group PLC
8 January 2002



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            8 January 2002


WPP GROUP PLC ('WPP')


Mediaedge:CIA acquisition of Purely Media in Manchester,UK


WPP announces that its newly formed worldwide media buying group, Mediaedge:
CIA,  has acquired the media buying business of Purely Media in Manchester,
UK.



Purely Media will continue to operate under its own name but will relocate to
the same building as Mediaedge:CIA Manchester, creating one of the largest and
best resourced media buying companies in Manchester.



Purely Media, which has a staff of 10 people, had revenues of £667,000 and net
assets of £39,000 for the period ended 30 September 2001. Clients include
Vimto, Makro, Acdo, Barber, Euronics and Carpetworld.



The acquisition builds on the working relationship that has existed between
the two agencies for some time ( with CIA Manchester having handled the TV
billings for Purely Media over the past few years) and continues WPP's
strategy of strengthening its existing networks in important regional markets.



For more information please contact:



Feona McEwan, WPP                        44 20 7408 2204

www.wpp.com