WPP acquires German healthcare specialist 3K Communication
March 07 2023 - 8:00AM
Business Wire
Frankfurt-based 3K will join WPP’s
Hill+Knowlton Strategies, advancing the company’s growth in the
global healthcare sector
WPP (NYSE: WPP) announces today that it has acquired 3K Agentur
für Kommunikation (3K), one of the leading healthcare specialist PR
agencies in Germany. 3K will become part of the Hill+Knowlton
Strategies (H+K) global network, strengthening its healthcare
presence in Europe and expanding its operations in Germany.
Founded 25 years ago, 3K is known for its expertise in
healthcare, biopharmaceuticals, and related sciences, working with
some of the world’s most notable global pharmaceutical companies,
consumer health brands, and local biotech start-ups.
The addition of 3K aligns with WPP’s strategic focus on
healthcare and marks the company’s continued investment in Germany.
In the second half of 2022, WPP appointed Wendy Lund as Chief
Client Officer for Health & Wellness and FM Schmidt as WPP’s
first President of the German market.
The acquisition is also the latest milestone in H+K’s ongoing
transformation. The agency has grown more than 25% over the last
two years, expanding its global leadership team – including Brenna
Terry as Global Chair of Healthcare – and acquiring the
JeffreyGroup in Latin America.
AnnaMaria DeSalva, Global Chairman and CEO of Hill+Knowlton
Strategies, said: “Healthcare is in a perpetual cycle of growth
and transformation, demanding superior communication and
stakeholder strategies. Hill+Knowlton has a large role to play in
this dynamic market. The addition of 3K will meaningfully
strengthen our international capability in healthcare, and I am
delighted to welcome them to the H+K family.”
Ruth Bastuck, Founder and Managing Director of 3K, said:
“I’m incredibly proud of what we have successfully built at 3K over
the past 25 years, but I am equally excited for our future with
Hill+Knowlton. Healthcare is such an important component of H+K’s
global strategy, and we could not have found a better fit,
culturally, strategically, or operationally. We are equally
dedicated to shaping excellent medical-to-human interactions.
Tapping into the diverse resources and global reach of the H+K and
WPP networks will create many exciting new opportunities for both
our clients and our employees.”
Mark Read, CEO of WPP, said: “Amid today’s dynamic
macroeconomic conditions we have seen great resilience and growth
in the healthcare sector, as well as across our own PR businesses.
Germany is our third largest market, and the addition of 3K to
Hill+Knowlton’s growing portfolio further strengthens WPP’s global
healthcare offer to clients.”
3K becomes the latest in a series of acquisitions – including
Fēnom Digital, Diff, Passport, Newcraft and Corebiz in the last six
months alone – that form part of WPP’s accelerated growth strategy
and focused M&A approach to continue to build on the company's
core capabilities.
About WPP
WPP is the creative transformation company. We use the power of
creativity to build better futures for our people, planet, clients
and communities. For more information, visit www.wpp.com.
About Hill+Knowlton
Hill+Knowlton Strategies, Inc. is an international
communications consultancy, providing services to local,
multinational, and global clients. H+K operates more than 70
offices in nearly 40 countries worldwide, as well as an extensive
associate network, delivering award-winning campaigns to clients
across all sectors and disciplines and with a focus on continued
innovation for the industry. Headquartered in New York, the firm is
part of WPP, one of the world’s largest communications services
groups. For more information about H+K, click here, follow us on
Twitter here, like us on Facebook here, and follow us on LinkedIn
here.
About 3K
Founded in 1998, 3K is one of the leading healthcare PR agencies
in Germany, helping clients translate complex issues in healthcare
and science into innovative formats, bringing products, brands and
companies into the conversation.
http://www.3k-kommunikation.de/
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230306005601/en/
Further information: Louise Lacourarie, WPP +44 (0)20
7282 4600 / +44 7741 360931 louise.lacourarie@wpp.com
Sarah Brandon, Hill+Knowlton +1 416 413 4773
sarah.brandon@hkstrategies.com
WPP (NYSE:WPP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024
WPP (NYSE:WPP)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024