Revenues up for WPP businesses

WPP has recorded a 9 per cent increase in revenues for its branding and identity businesses, along with healthcare and specialist communications, following the group’s quarterly trading update this morning.

Like-for-like revenues for the branding and identity sector rose from £376.7m for the first quarter last year to £384m in 2007. PR was the fastest-growing group of businesses.

Total reported revenues for the group, led by chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell (pictured), are £1.366bn, down 0.7 per cent, reflecting the 11 per cent decline in value of the US dollar against the pound, according to the update.

The UK remained the slowest-growing region, with revenues rising 2 per cent, compared to an increase of 12 per cent for Asia Pacific, Latin America, Africa and the Middle East.