Acquisition

WPP Group PLC
23 January 2008



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            23 January 2008



                             WPP GROUP PLC ("WPP")

       Hill & Knowlton acquires majority stake in Rikes Communications in
                                   Hong Kong


WPP announces that its wholly-owned operating company Hill & Knowlton, the
global public relations and public affairs network, has acquired a 70% stake in
Rikes Communications Limited ("Rikes"), in Hong Kong. Rikes is an investor
relations and corporate communications firm specialising in providing financial
communications and investor relations to Chinese State Owned Enterprises and
Chinese companies as they go international.

Founded in 2000, Rikes provides a range of public relations services including
public relations programs, media and communication training, crisis counselling
and crisis management, long term investor relations programs, writing, design
and production of annual reports, media monitoring and analysis, event
management and website production and design. Clients include Huaneng Power
International, Maanshan Iron & Steel, Zhejiang Expressway and Guangshen Railway.

Rikes' unaudited revenues for the year ended 31 March 2007 were HK$7.4 million,
with gross assets at the same date of HK$7.0 million.

This investment continues WPP's strategy of developing its networks in fast
growing markets and sectors.



Contact:
Feona McEwan, WPP                    T. +(0)20 7408 2204
www.wpp.com




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