Competition regulator gives green light for WPP’s merger with STW Group

January 18, 2016 4:03

WPP CEO Sir Martin Sorrell

The merger between STW Group and WPP has been approved in the wake of the WPP’s move to take a controlling interest in the Australian-based business it has partnered for 17 years.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission announced it will not hold public hearings into the ‘mergers’, paving the way for WPP – the world’s largest marketing services holding group – to complete the purchase of 61 per cent of STW by way of a share swap.

This deal will see agencies under the STW banner including Ikon Communications, The Brand Agency and Tongue come under the same banner as the likes of Mediacom, Y&R Group and MEC.

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Simon Canning

Simon Canning was Mumbrella's marketing and advertising editor from 2015-2017. In a career spanning journalism and communications over more than 30 years Simon has become one of Australia’s most respected analysts and commentators on the advertising, marketing and media industries. A regular commentator on radio and TV, Simon has also worked in media in the US and UK .

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