Acquisition

WPP Group PLC
23 January 2002


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                            23 January 2002






                             WPP GROUP PLC ('WPP')



             Ogilvy PR Forms Equity Partnership with PRAP, in Japan





WPP announces that its wholly-owned operating company, Ogilvy Public Relations
Worldwide, has agreed to acquire 28.4% of the equity of PRAP Japan Inc ('PRAP'),
one of the largest international public relations firms in Japan.



Based in Tokyo and with offices in Beijing and Shanghai, PRAP's clients include
Axa Life Insurance, British Airways, GE Medical, Haagen-Dazs, Hitachi, Intel,
Levi-Strauss, Mars, Mikimoto, Nike, SAP and Sony. PRAP employs over 200 people
and had revenues of Yen 2,517,933,000 in 2001 and net assets of Yen 456,525,000
as at 31 August 2001.



The investment reinforces Ogilvy's ability to give '360 degree' branding
solutions to clients by linking with one of the leading public relations
companies in Japan. The initiative continues WPP's strategy of strengthening its
networks in important markets and sectors.





Contact:


Feona McEwan, WPP London                                     44-20 7408 2204
www.wpp.com
www.ogilvypr.com





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