Interest Acquired in The Initiatives Group

WPP Group PLC
12 January 2000



                   WPP GROUP PLC ('WPP')

Ogilvy & Mather Asia Pacific acquires majority interest in
Australian strategic marketing management consultancy, The
Initiatives Group



WPP announces that its wholly-owned operating company Ogilvy
& Mather (Asia Pacific)  has acquired a majority interest in
The Initiatives Group Pty Ltd, ('Initiatives'), a strategic
marketing management consultancy based in Australia.  The
company specialises in the integration of market, financial
and customer information and the development of innovative
market-driven business strategies.

Initiatives, which is based in Sydney, has extensive
experience throughout Asia Pacific across many industries:
financial products, IT and telecommunications, fmcg and
beverages, pharmaceutical, industrial and agricultural
products.

As a member of the WPP Group, Initiatives will continue to
operate independently, working with Ogilvy & Mather Asia
Pacific to develop the Ogilvy Consulting offer throughout
the region and acting as a key management consulting
resource in Australia.

Initiatives had revenues of A$1.5 million for the year to 31
December 1998 and negligible net assets.

The acquisition advances WPP's objective of building a more
comprehensive strategic marketing offering for clients in
one of the fast-growing regions of the world.


Contact:
Feona McEwan, WPP London                   44 20 7408 2204


www.wpp.com
www.ogilvy.com