Offer Update

WPP Group PLC
23 October 2001



    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO AUSTRALIA, CANADA
    OR JAPAN

                                 WPP GROUP PLC
                          OFFER FOR TEMPUS GROUP PLC




    On 16 October 2001, WPP announced that its Offer for Tempus, which had
    become unconditional as to acceptances on 1 October 2001, had been
    extended to 3.00 p.m. on 22 October 2001.

    WPP has now received clearance under the EC Merger Regulation from the
    European Commission as required by the condition set out in paragraph (b)
    (i) of Appendix 1, Part A of the offer document dated 10 September 2001
    (the 'Offer Document').

    As announced on 10 October 2001, WPP is seeking the consent of the
    Takeover Panel to invoke the material adverse change condition in relation
    to its Offer for Tempus, as set out in paragraph (g)(i) of Appendix 1,
    Part A of the Offer Document. WPP is continuing to hold discussions with
    the Takeover Panel regarding its submission made on 10 October 2001.

    In addition, WPP has now received information which it believes to be
    relevant to the condition set out in paragraph (h)(iii) of Appendix 1,
    Part A of the Offer Document, which is closely related to condition (g)
    (i).

    With the consent of the Takeover Panel, the Offer will remain subject to
    conditions (g)(i) and (h)(iii) until midnight on 29 October 2001 (or until
    such later date as WPP may, with the consent of the Panel, decide), but
    otherwise is now unconditional.

    Accordingly, the Offer is extended to midnight on 29 October 2001.

    Enquiries:

    WPP     Telephone: [phone]

    Sir Martin Sorrell, Group Chief Executive

    Paul Richardson, Group Finance Director



    MERRILL LYNCH     Telephone: [phone]

    Philip Yates, Managing Director

    Richard Taylor, Director

    Tim Pratelli, Director



    GOLDMAN SACHS     Telephone: [phone]

    Richard Campbell-Breeden, Managing Director

    James Del Favero, Managing Director



    BUCHANAN COMMUNICATIONS     Telephone: [phone]

    Richard Oldworth, Managing Director

    Mark Edwards, Director



    The definitions set out in the Offer Document have the same meanings in
    this announcement unless the context requires otherwise.

    The Offer is not being made, directly or indirectly, in or into Australia,
    Canada or Japan. Accordingly, copies of this announcement are not being,
    and must not be, mailed or otherwise distributed or sent in or into or
    from Australia, Canada or Japan.

    The Directors of WPP accept responsibility for the information contained
    in this announcement and, to the best of their knowledge and belief
    (having taken all reasonable care to ensure that such is the case), the
    information contained in this announcement is in accordance with the facts
    and does not omit anything likely to affect the import of such
    information.

    Merrill Lynch International and Goldman Sachs International, both of which
    are regulated in the United Kingdom by The Securities and Futures
    Authority Limited, are acting exclusively for WPP in connection with the
    Offer and for no one else and will not be responsible to anyone other than
    WPP for providing the protections afforded to their respective customers
    or for providing advice in relation to the Offer or any other matter
    referred to herein.