British advertising group WPP loses Chinese partner over snub: FT

0 Comments | AFP, June, 2006

BEIJING (AFP) — WPP, the British advertising and marketing group, has lost a Chinese joint venture partner after an alleged snub by its chief executive, the Financial Times reports.

Beijing Guoan Advertising Corp said it would pull out of its China joint venture with WPP's Grey Advertising and instead form an alliance with WPP rival Omnicom, the paper said.

Beijing Guoan Advertising head Yan Gang said the decision came after he was called to London in April to discuss management problems and was allegedly given a brusque reception by WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell.

"I have met a lot of people but never met anyone as rude as (Sir) Martin," Yan told the British newspaper.

"Because of this kind of attitude, we have been forced to cease...