British advertising group WPP loses Chinese partner over snub

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, a Chinese advertising official has said.

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, Guoan head Yan Gang said Friday.

Yan said the decision came after he was called to London in April to discuss management problems, but was given a brusque reception by WPP chief executive Sir Martin Sorrell.

"He treated me very rudely and said we were threatening WPP," Yan said.

"It's so ridiculous. We went there to solve problems, but he had no patience and drove me out."

After his return to...