WPP weighs exit from the business of public relations with sale of Burson on the table

WPP may be the first of the holdco giants to get out of the public relations industry, according to credible reporting from the company’s home base of London.

WPP’s Burson division, which holds most of its PR capabilities, could be for sale under a restructure led by chief executive Cindy Rose.

The global holding company has hired Goldman Sachs to review “strategic options” for its PR operations,  according to The Times.

The report follows an announcement that WPP would begin consolidating operations and leadership roles in a bid to save $1bn over the next three years as it seeks to turn around the beleaguered holding company. As part of the restructure, WPP will end separate reporting for its “public relations” operations and instead integrate its PR arm into the newly launched “WPP Creative” division.