Acquisition

WPP GROUP PLC
20 September 1999


 WPP ACQUIRES DIAGNOSTIC RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
 
 WPP Group plc ('WPP') announces that it has agreed to
 purchase the business and assets of Diagnostic Research
 International, Inc. ('DRI'), an advertising research
 company, on behalf of Millward Brown Inc, the advertising
 and brand research business of WPPs information and
 consultancy division, The Kantar Group.
 
 Los Angeles-based DRI is one of the leading firms in the
 United States specialising in the copy testing of
 advertisements. Following the acquisition, which further
 enhances its position globally, Millward Brown will become
 the largest advertisement copy testing firm in the United
 States. DRI had revenues of $35.5 million for the year ended
 December 31, 1998 and net assets of $3 million as at the
 same date.
 
DRI adds a number of blue-chip clients to the Millward Brown
roster including, Toyota, Chevron, Bank of America, Lee
Jeans and Lenscrafters.

The acquisition further strengthens The Kantar Groups
position in the information and consulting business
worldwide, bringing revenues for The Kantar Group, including
100 percent of its Associates, to $1billion per annum.
Companies in The Kantar Group - Millward Brown, Research
International, Kantar Media Research, Winona, Goldfarb
Consultants and Indian Market Research Bureau - together
with strategic stakeholdings in IBOPE Media, AGB Italia and
Adcom, leading TV audience measurement companies operating
in over 25 countries, make The Kantar Group the most broadly
based diversified research and information portfolio in the
marketplace. Information and consultancy contributed 19% of
WPPs first half revenues of $1.648 billion, compared with
almost 17% in the same period in 1998.
 
 DRI president Greg Wood said, 'Global marketers are
 demanding truly global capabilities from their suppliers.
 This is driving the escalating consolidation in the market
 research industry. We feel that combining our strong brand
 with Millward Browns global capabilities of 40 offices in
 27 countries provides a perfect partnership to maintain our
 strong momentum.'
 
 'This is a really exciting step forward for Millward Brown;
 consolidating our position as the premier advertising and
 brand research specialists both in North America and the
 rest of the world.   The synergies between companies will be
 a tremendous asset for our clients,' said Bob Meyers,
 Millward Browns group chief executive.
 
 The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval.
 
 For further information, please contact:
 
Feona McEwan, WPP, London               + 44 171 408 2204
Kevin McCormack, WPP, New York          + [phone]

Bob Meyers, Millward Brown, Chicago     + [phone]

Rosi Ware, Millward Brown, Chicago      + [phone]

Greg Wood, DRI , Los Angeles            + [phone]
David Jenkins, The Kantar Group, London + 44 171 656 5599

www.wpp.com
www.millwardbrown.com
www.diagnostic.com