Q1 Trading Update

WPP Group PLC
22 April 2002


For Immediate Release                                             22 April 2002



                                      WPP



                            QUARTERLY TRADING UPDATE



                    FIRST QUARTER REPORTED REVENUES DOWN 2%



                           CONSTANT CURRENCY REVENUES

                                  DOWN OVER 1%



                     OPERATING MARGINS IN LINE WITH BUDGET



Current Trading



Reported revenues fell by over 2%.  In constant currencies, first quarter
revenues fell by over 1%.  On a like-for-like basis, excluding acquisitions and
currency fluctuations, revenues fell by almost 9%.



As shown in the appendix to this release, on a constant currency basis, the
geographical pattern of revenue growth varied in the first quarter.  In North
America, revenues fell by over 7%.  In Europe, the UK was up almost 2% and
Continental Europe up over 6%.  Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the
Middle East was up over 3%.



By communications services sector, advertising and media investment management
was flat, information and consultancy up over 6%, public relations and public
affairs down over 13% and branding and identity, healthcare and specialist
communications down over 2%.



Net new business billings of £500 million ($750 million) were won during the
first quarter. The Group continues to benefit from consolidation trends in the
industry, winning several large assignments from existing and new clients.



First quarter results indicate that the Group is on target to achieve its
budgeted operating margin.



Balance Sheet and Cash Flow



The Group continues to implement its strategy of using free cash flow to enhance
share owner value through a combination of strategic acquisitions and share
purchases.



In the first quarter of 2002 the Group completed acquisitions in advertising and
media investment management in the United Kingdom, China and Finland; in
information and consultancy in Thailand; in public relations and public affairs
in Japan; and in sports marketing in Germany.



The rolling share buy-back program continues at a target level of £150 to £200
million per annum, equivalent to approximately 2% of the current market
capitalization, but no shares were purchased during the first quarter of 2002.



Net debt at 31 March 2002 was £1,505 million, compared to £987 million at 31
March 2001. In the twelve months to 31 March 2002, the Group's free cash flow
was £502 million. Over the same period, the Group's expenditure on capital,
acquisitions, share purchases and dividends was £928 million. Net interest costs
will be reduced following the issue of a 2% £450 million Five Year Convertible
Bond.



Future Objectives



The Group continues to focus on its key objectives of improving operating
profits and margins, increasing cost flexibility (particularly in the areas of
staff and property costs), using free cash flow to enhance share owner value,
continuing to develop the role of the parent company in adding value to our
clients and people, developing our portfolio in high revenue growth geographical
and functional areas and improving our creative quality and capabilities.



For further information:


Sir Martin Sorrell                   )     44 207 408 2204
Paul Richardson                      )     1 212 632 2301
Feona McEwan                         )



This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the federal securities laws. These statements are subject to risks and
uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially including
adjustments arising from the annual audit by management and the company's
independent auditors. For further information on factors which could impact the
company and the statements contained herein, please refer to public filings by
the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The statements in this
press release should be considered in light of these risks and uncertainties.

Appendix: Revenue and revenue growth by region and communications services
sector

3 months ended March 31, 2002


                                                                          Revenue         Constant
                                                                           Growth         Currency
Region                                                                   Reported       Growth (1)

                                               2002          2001       2002/2001        2002/2001
                                                 £m            £m               %                %

North America                                 443.4         468.9            -5.4             -7.3

United Kingdom                                152.9         150.4             1.7              1.7

Continental Europe                            204.8         198.3             3.3              6.1

Asia Pacific, Latin
America, Africa
& Middle East                                 144.7         148.8            -2.8              3.4

TOTAL GROUP                                   945.8         966.4            -2.1             -1.5




                                                                            Revenue        Constant
                                                                             Growth        Currency
Communications Services                                                    Reported      Growth (1)
                                                 2002          2001       2002/2001       2002/2001
                                                 £m              £m               %               %

Advertising, Media
Investment
Management                                      426.5         431.3            -1.1             0.1

Information &
Consultancy                                     143.5         135.1             6.2             6.5

Public Relations
& Public Affairs (2)                            114.0         130.7           -12.8           -13.3

Branding & Identity,
Healthcare and
Specialist Communications                       261.8         269.3            -2.8            -2.3

TOTAL GROUP                                     945.8         966.4            -2.1            -1.5



(1) Constant currency growth excludes the effects of currency movements.



(2) The revenue figures submitted to the O'Dwyer Report reflect some public
relations income which is included here in advertising, media investment
management and branding & identity, healthcare and specialist communications.
Total public relations and public affairs revenues fell by over 14% to $174
million in the three months to March 31.





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